MIAMI (CNN) – Two hours before Thursday morning’s press conference at the Republican Governors Association — her first since the Republican presidential ticket lost last week — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was still scheduled to appear alone. Instead, she spoke with a row of fellow governors standing silently behind her.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told CNN producer Evan Glass that they all met at 9 a.m. - an hour-and-a-half before the press conference’s scheduled start time - and by then it had been "decided" that they'd all go out together.
An RGA official told CNN the reason for the change is a "long story."
He said that when the governors were all at their private morning meeting, someone brought up the desire to get beyond what happened in the McCain campaign and look towards 2009 and 2010.
Then, this source said, Palin piped up and said she agreed that she didn't want to talk about the past.
This source insists that it was then decided that the other governors in the meeting would go with her to her press conference as a "show of unity."
The source admitted that it may not have been easy for some "big egos" to go in and stand behind her, but they knew they'd be doing so.
Not present: the conference host, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. A Florida GOP source tells CNN "he didn't know about it,” because he wasn't at the morning meeting.
In another shift, Palin — who had been slated to take questions for 20 minutes or so - took just four press queries.
Why did Texas Gov. Rick Perry cut it off so fast?
"We were running behind schedule," insisted the GOP official.
Palin may not have wanted to talk about the past, but her speech was almost entirely about the McCain campaign; she included little in the way of detailed ideas about the way forward for Republicans, the theme of the panel.
From CNN Politics
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The main stream news medias are doing America a real great service by focusing on Palin and creating deeper divisions within the GOP.
Their party is a thing of the past with no idea of what the present and future needs and they just keep wallowing in an organized state of confusion.
Like it is said you can put lipstick on a pig but it is still a pig.
Could someone shut this woman up. Doesn't she realize that the election is over and she lost! Talk about milking her 15 minutes of fame. No wonder she's a joke. She's made a caricature of herself.
Sarah who??? A waste of news space for all of America. A real piece of Political waste.
Palin is flopping around like fish out of water. What better gift could the Democrats have than her thinking she is the spokesperson for the GOP. As long as she is the main distraction the Republicians can count on going nowhere but down. They had better figure out a way to get her off-stage ASAP and back in some isolated state like Alaska.
The behavior of Sarah Palin confirms ,over and over, how professional and competent President Elect Obama and members of his organization really are.
What the hell is wrong with the american people these days? Palin should go back to where she came frome. She is a useless human being...I am so tired of seeing her face on the news.
Doesn't this charlatan have a state to run? Maybe she should lay low on the interviews and get back to work.
Why??? Is she really trying to destroy the GOP? Let her run in 2012, put her on a stage with a experienced President Obama, and let her babble. Sounds like fun. Is this really what Rush and Sean want?
Sara Palin talks to much about nothing and everybody is tired of hearing her mummble with out substance.
Im begging the media. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
stop giving palin airtime. stop covering her stories. stop plastering her name everywhere. She is unable to lead anything. stop encouraging her.
Sarah Palin is a pro at saying nothing in a million words; the BS is so thick I feel like I have to put on waders just to watch her on TV. If this is the "future" of the GOP, Democrats will be in power for eons!
Be interesting to see what their strategy will be to attract 55+ million voters to their point of view.
I noticed on the Larry King interview that she has no idea how to articulate a thought via a brief sentence. Blah, blah, blah, blah. If nothing else, can someone at the GOP get her some coaching on effective communication skills? The $150K then spent on clothes would have been better off spent with a speech coach.
Someone needs to tell this lady that the campaign is over.
Look people, I'm sorry I have to contribute to Palin but I won't because CNN and the media want me to!!!! I will however state that before I felt sorry for her and believed that the "media elite" was going after her. However now, It's all on her!!!!! She's digging a proverbial ditch for herself because she wants to clear her name and she wants to represent the future of the republican party. Honesty, I believe she should disappear for a while and then come back, please for the love of GOD and earth!!!!!!!
So, Saturday Night Live is now a source of knowledge for the democrats?
The Republican "Base" simply amazes me with their unwavering support of this woman. She is exposing the base as ignorant.
Just another sign that shows how biased the media is, especially CNN!!!! They will say anything and everything to beat Sarah Pain down!!! ... even make things up as they go along! They know she is could be President Palin in the coming years and they are out to destroy her!
Perhaps Palin is more comfortable cooking cheese dogs in a three-piece suit while being interviewed by Greta Van Sustern? Just a thought.
I am tired of this soap opera. I want some real news like what are the cabinet picks for the new incoming administration. Palin is bad old news , in fact drop the word "news" she is not even news worthy anymore.
Palin calling for an 'end' to partisanship is like Ted Stevens wanting to head the ethics in government task force. She is a hater. There is 'real' America and then the rest of us. Enough already.
The GOP will no doubt find a way of getting her elected at some point. But for now let's see if people of intelligence can clean up their mess.
It amazes me how many posters write such hatred about Palin. The vitriol is incredible. I voted for Obama and I am a proud Democrat. However, I also know that just because you do not agree with someone does not give you the right to attack them personally. I do not agree with Palin's politics, but I am at least objective.
Palin, you are scum.
I can't wait for Saturday Night Live! This is going to be a hoot! you betcha! lol
Message to Sarah Palin – "You lost, get over it!"
When is her 15 minutes going to be up? I love how now she is "proud" of Obama and would be "honored to help him" when just a few weeks ago she was inciting hatred and anger and accusing him of all sorts of atrocities. She is a joke. The only reason she keeps getting interviewed is because people want to see her make a fool of herself by continuing to speak.