[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/02/art.palin.gi.jpg caption="Sarah Palin will receive an award from the Republican National Coalition for Life."]
ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - Sarah Palin had been scheduled to receive an award from the Republican National Coalition for Life on Tuesday to celebrate her opposition to abortion rights, but pulled out of the event last night, presumably to work on her vice presidential nomination speech.
Though many of the Republicans sipping wine and beer at the "Life of the Party" event knew that Palin's plans had changed, others were surprised and disappointed by the news.
Robert and Cam Carlson of Fairbanks, Alaska, each sporting red "Palin '06" buttons from her gubernatorial race, understood Palin's last-minute cancellation.
"She's got a higher calling now," Robert said, referring to her much anticipated appearance at the convention on Wednesday night. The couple called to mind how they had shuttled Palin around Fairbanks in their car during the 2006 race, and gushed about her authenticity and down-to-earth demeanor.
Another anti-abortion advocate, Morton Blackwell of Arlington, Virginia, was asked if he was upset Palin couldn't make it.
"Yeah, but clearly she is working on the speech, its extremely important," he said. "I understand it. I'm not happy about it. They should have walked her in and out and let her wave and leave without talking."
Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafley, founder of the Republican National Coalition for Life, told the audience she was "very disappointed" Palin had to cancel. But she nevertheless commended the new running mate for energizing the party's grassroots.
"It is so exciting the way Sarah Palin has invigorated the Republican Party," Schlafley said. "All those people who were holding back and not sure, they're all excited to go to work and elect the McCain-Palin ticket this year."
Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham filled in for Palin.
Well I'm sorry she missed it, but I do have a question for Laura Ingram. Since she wants to ban all abortions will her next adoption be of an American child, who needs a mother, or will she just complain when we have to raise taxes to support our foster care system for OUR children that need to be taken care of?
Sara who? When will she speak. All I hear is McCain and other puppets talking on issues.....................................What's up?
Alex, good question:
Mcain calls for an end to abortion rights, except in the case of rape or incest
Palin calls for an end to all abortion rights, inluding rape and incest
The republicans say that anyone can give a great speech, so it doesn't matter if Sarah Palin gives a great speech tomorrow night- it's all talk anyway.
Yeah, can't wait to hear this disaster in heels speak. Dated views and lackluster opinions, she may single handily set woman back a hundred years.
No matter how you put it, it's still crap. I don't care how many Republicans try and tell me Palin is the best thing since sliced bread. I don't believe you!
Reallllllyyyyyyy boring convention so far...
At this point the republican party is doing anything they can to keep her from opening her mouth in public without thorough vetting of every word that comes out of her mouth.
Obama policy:
1] higher taxes
2] no border fence
3] national security run by United Nations
4] the continued killing of innocent babies born or not
5] gay marriage
6] voted against English as official language of the United States
LOOKS AS THOUGH THIS COUNTRY IS TAKING A BIG STEP TOWARDS SOCIALISM IF OBAMA'S ELECTED. AT LEAST THE COUNTRY WAS GREAT FOR 232 YEARS.
Where has she been hiding anyway? If she is ready to be commander and chief why won't she make herself available to cable news to answer questons.
I guess she doesn't want women to know where she stands on the issue.
What really makes me sick is the forgotten children this woman keeps having! She may not believe in abortion but she isn't raising them either! She works up to the point of birthing them, almost on a plane, and then turns them over to ? to raise. She is too busy working and enjoying herself. Too selfish for my party!
The far right have taken over... and they forget the silent majority supports a woman's right to choose and to keep the government out of those decisions.
I think everyone is getting off track here, the issue is not Bristol being pregnant but who the mother of Trig is, Sarah or Bristol, there are stories out there stating that Bristol is Trigs mother and Sarah is Trigs mother. I know they are saying that Bristol can’t be Trigs mother because she is pregnant now, all that remains to be seen on how it turns out. If Sarah covered up Bristol’s pregnancy for her own political satisfaction this is sad, and voters should know this because it validates Sarah’s ethic values. I feel sorry for Bristol that she has to deny her son for the sake of her mother's political career, if this is true.
As a busy working goal-oriented family-loving woman, I can appreciate Palin's re-shifting of obligations to focus on matters at hand. Anyone who truly stands behind her knows what matters most: family over function. You GO, Sarah!
I hope it includes changing the sound of her voice (last time I heard tha someone's nails were gliding down a chalk board). Oh well, who cares. Only the Repugs will be watching.
Two days to prepare a speech ... to address the Moose Lodge? What she going to do when it's time to address the smart guys in Russia ... I know, take a week of vacation to learn Foreign policy.
She's not working on her speech, she's yelling at Todd for not having all traces of his AIP membership erased from the records.
As a woman I think you make your choice and every other woman should be able to make their choice. We don't need a bunch of old cronies trying to tell us what to do. That should be between that woman and the higher being that she serves.
And all those who bash her/the GOP...check your grammar. If you can do it better, petition to McCain's campaign and make your case. If not...put up or shut up.
Palin cancels her Coalition for Life appearance and McCain cancels his interview tonight with Larry King. Are they orchestrating her withdrawal?
Scary woman! Scary party! Scary country??
Bwa,ha ha ha ha ha ha ha......This is better than a Three Stooges marathon, I'm sitting here literally crying with laughter!!!!
I am surprised they remembered her name ... probably they were waiting for Sarah Pawlenty!!
Im sure they wont mind if Obama sits in with her since he needs it more than her.