(CNN) - A week after Sarah Palin asked Republican National Committee officials to remove her name from an invitation that suggested she might attend a series of GOP fundraising events, the former Alaska governor made clear she is a strong supporter of the organization's embattled chairman, Michael Steele.
"I support Michael Steele. I am glad he is the leader of the party, administratively," Palin told Fox News' Sean Hannity Wednesday. "If those within the party are choosing to go a different direction, his term is up in a number of months and they can vote someone else in. But I think he is doing a great job."
The comments come amid speculation Palin is seeking to distance herself from Steele and the RNC after news surfaced the organization expensed a night out a risqué Los Angeles nightclub for donors earlier this year and ran up large bills for luxury hotel stays and private jet travel.
But a Palin adviser told CNN that Palin's request to be removed from the invitation for the events - timed to coincide with this week's Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans - was simply because she never planned on attending the events in the first place. Palin is slated to speak Friday at the SRLC, a gathering of top Republican officials and an early cattle call for potential 2012 presidential candidates.
In her comments Wednesday, the former Republican vice presidential nominee also hailed Steele as an "outsider" who is trying to change the Republican Party.
"The machine is tough I think to penetrate," she said. "I think it's been good to have an independent outsider to create some change in the Republican Party. I support him."
From CNN Politics
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Good for Palin–she is a genius in public relations and is understanding of the mood of the USA. Steele was not a party to that sleazy event and should not be held responsible. He has done a great job as chairman and has made far less gaffe statements than both Obama and Biden. The problem is liberal media who report only repub gaffes and leave the dems alone.....
"Administratively"? Yes for Sarah thinks she actually in charge.
Yet another example of bubblebrains...
It is a sad state for the GOP if Palin is the leader. She is a hijacker of a grass roots movement that is no longer grass roots. The Tea Party is now just talking points of the GOP. That is not what it started out as before people like Beck and Palin started in to hijack it.
palin is an idiot. .....a greedy, amoral, hypocritical idiot.
So, sarah loves steele and yet doesn't want anything to do with him? Could that possibly be a lie? Actually it has to be a lie one way or another.
In more rationale times, the support of a bush-league demagogue like Sarah Palin would be akin to the support of Ann Coulter - the kiss of death. But these are not rationale times. And Republicans are definitely not rationale people. So this should serve Steele well.
Why would anyone care what this woman has to say about anything or anyone. She's a moron.
Palin made plenty of enemies in the Republican
party in Alaska when she cleaned house as Governor.
The irony is that the people who slam her the
most know the least about her.
Everybody says," We want a fresh approach to
politics" , but REAL CHANGE is nothing people
really want.
If it was, they would research the real Palin and
take out their liberal media ear plugs so they could
think on their own and make intelligent decisions
about the candidates.
But, NO....... they listen to the Hollywood corps when
and if they are out of rehab !!!!!
She made these comments directly from her hand.
How and why does she get any press in the first place....
Never thought I would ever defend sarah palin, but here goes, Michael steele needs her @ this point
Dear CNN:
Do you have to publish Sarah Palin's EVERY thought or comment on the PoliticalTicker? C'mon guys; she's not THAT relevant to our political discourse. It's like publishing a pimp's thoughts and comments on the occupational choices on women. Enough already.
Hello- my name is (just pick one) I have not been born yet, but when I get here, please tell me how I can make millions just running my mouth. It looks like the earlier I get started on this " all talk without any knowledge" gig, the better I can become.
Political rally speaking and pro-wrestling– stage entertainment at its best.
Had to shop around to 5 colleges before she could get a degree in Journalism. Cant name a book she's read. Can't name a founding Father that she's proud of (except 'All of them, of course!'). Was Governor, but quit because she thought it was 'distracting'. Was the GOP nominee for VP, then headlines the Tea Party convention (but the two arent tied to each other at all. Really.) Wrote a book that was so full of misinformation and delusions that it can barely be called credible journalism (back to point #1). Now distancing herself from the GOP so she can haul in more TP money for a run in 2012.
I just gotta say that if there is a chapter of 'Deluded Fruitcakes Anonymous' in Wasilla, AK – this lady has gotta be the Almighty Grand Poobah.
"... ran up large bills for luxury hotel stays and private jet travel."
Sounds like she's upset they didn't spend that money on her.
I like the term"cattle call". Poor Steele, what little worth he had just got cheapened with her backing. She hands out attaboys to any GOPer like a cow chewing cud. Moooo
The best "independent outsider" to create change in the Republican Party was Barack Obama! Change as in "You're outta here."
"I am not so smart and Steele has made some not so smart moves also. That is why I like him. He is being a dumb as I am." - Sarah Palin
Her support of Steele is questionable. Steele's running of the RNC is questionable also. How much control does he have over his staff? Are they aware of directions and locations that are acceptable to the higher ups? It is looking like he and other high ranking people within the RNC don't have any control.
Sarah is a team player
The best "independent outsider" who created change in the Republican Party was Barack Obama. Change as in "You're outta here, Repubs!"
Palin changes from day to day. It depends on the $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Sarah Palin doesn't care about anyone – all she cares about is showing of the $$$$...and many have fallen for the facade and clown show. She quit being a gov. b/c she was caught lying that she was running the show but in fact her husband was running the things.
she does not like michael steele and michael steele thye want you gone
Sister Sarah Palin...what a pity! You really deserve our sympathy.. Some Americans revel in the absurd and you are one!
I don't get how these politicians like Palin think they can make up all this stuff – they think just because they say it, that means its true. They are a bunch of fakers, and I wouldn't trust them to run the country!