July 6, 2009
Posted: July 6th, 2009 06:42 PM ET
From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Will closely-watched GOP campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey welcome Sarah Palin?
(CNN) – When Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced Friday that she was resigning from office, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele issued a statement saying that she "will be very helpful to the Party this year as we wage critical campaigns in Virginia and New Jersey." But the Republican candidates for governor in those two states are being cagey on whether or not the polarizing Alaskan will be welcome on the campaign trail. In Virginia, where Bob McDonnell is running in a tight race against Democrat Creigh Deeds, a spokeswoman for McDonnell's campaign would say only: "We have not held or announced any events with governor Palin." The campaign would not say if the 2008 vice presidential nominee had been invited. But in February, McDonnell campaign manger Phil Cox told CNN that Palin had been offered an invitation to campaign for McDonnell. While Cox said nothing had been finalized, he added in that February conversation that Palin staffers "have indicated the governor wants to help." Republican presidential nominee John McCain and Palin visited Virginia multiple times during last year's presidential race, but Democrat Barack Obama won the state by six points. In New Jersey, a state Palin never visited during the 2008 campaign, Republican Chris Christie is hoping to unseat Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine. The Christie campaign issued a one-line statement on Monday when asked if Palin might stop by to help. "There are no plans for Governor Palin to visit New Jersey at this time," said Christie campaign manager Bill Stepien. Steele also said in his statement last week that he planned to speak with Palin "very soon." As of Monday afternoon, the two had not yet connected, according to an RNC official. Filed under: Bob McDonnell Chris Christie Sarah Palin
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@PrestonCNN: RT: MMStewart Just posted: Top Dem explains slavery remark, doesn't apologize http://bit.ly/6KEGM3
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:27:32 -0800 hambypCNN: Steele and Kaine square off on health care, jobs, and Steele talks (a little bit) about his new book ... http://bit.ly/6kbvKz
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:37:59 -0800 @HornickCNN: White House to government: Continue to open up: http://bit.ly/6SC11i
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:07:15 -0800 hambypCNN: Michael Steele has a book coming out in Jan. Asked about it on CNN, Steele demurs: "Ya, that's what I'm hearing somewhere down the line."
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:52:08 -0800 hambypCNN: @DanDoranBlum nice. hopefully you get two big wins over Pitt in one week.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:42:32 -0800 Categories
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