Clinton cancels appearance over Palin
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/17/art.clintonevent.ap.jpg caption="Clinton is canceling an appearance at an event Palin is also slated to attend."](CNN) - Reporters who got notice yesterday of an event headlined by both Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton figured the prospect of an SNL skit come to life was too good to be true, a gift from the campaign gods.
But for a few hours, it was. “We are pleased to inform you that the keynote speakers at the “Stop Iran. Now!” Rally are confirmed to be Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Governor Sarah Palin and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel,” read an e-mail from a leader of a Jewish group planning the event.
But the curtain came down on the comedy sketch-turned-reality before the duo ever hit the stage: Clinton officials soon said they had not been told Palin would be on hand — and that her presence, which made the event a political one, would mean the absence of the New York senator.
"Her attendance was news to us, and this was never billed to us as a partisan political event," said Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines. "Senator Clinton will therefore not be attending."
The McCain-Palin campaign has not yet said whether Palin herself will still be attending the event, but released a statement criticizing Clinton’s withdrawal. "Governor Palin believes that the danger of a nuclear Iran is greater than party or politics,” said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. “She hopes that all parties can rally together in opposition to this grave threat."
Palin has praised Clinton since being named John McCain’s running mate — although she has largely dropped those compliments from her stump speech after drawing a negative response from GOP audiences. Clinton herself has largely avoided mentioning or directly criticizing the Alaska governor during her appearances on behalf of Barack Obama’s presidential bid.
(Updated to include comment from Clinton spokesman)
Caribou Barbie doesn't deserve the legitimacy that being on the same stage with somebody like Clinton would give her.
To: Dave from Illinois
Anyone making accusations about responsibility for 9/11 should remember on whose watch that attack occurred!
If McCain wins, he can thank the racists. This will be his legacy, not his status as a war hero – that will be a mere footnote!
If he wants to go out with a BANG, than he certainly picked the right VP – cocked and loaded!
ZThe Republicans definitely wanted to use this as a publicity stunt in order to make it look like Palin reaches" across the aisle," aiding in her so-called "maverick" credentials. Hillary decided not to let herself be used as a pawn in their little game. Very smart. It may seem partisan and not politically expedient, but Hillary is all too familiar of their game and is staying a step in front of them.
I applaud her move...way to go, Hillary!!!!
YOU GO HILLARY THOSE REPUKES ARE TRYING TO MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE THAT DUMB PIT BULL SHE WILL NEVER COME UP TO YOUR STANDARD YOU ARE TO SMART FOR HER
Thank you Hillary...this will help win the Jewish vote for McCain/Palin.
I love you Hillary – Why Not Attend ... Show your strength!!!
Hillary appearing with Sarah would only validate Palin....Until Palin is willing to stop hiding behind McCain she will never prove worthy of being in the same league with Hillary....or my vote for that ticket!
Dave in Illinois is correct about Slick Willie and the democrats. It is actually you Doug who is not too bright! In November McCain /Palin will win by a landslide. – Nobama
This makes no sense to me.
The two woman were not going to be speaking at any time together. So is Obama planning on sending in someone else?
Linda, Salem, MA
Palin wanted to be seen with Clinton so that the McCain campaign could show them "together" and sway more women voters..plain and simple..they don't really care what Clinton has to say about the issue on hand..
I am very glad that Clinton didn't fall for it..she is very much aware of how the Republicans will try anything to win...
Palin needs to go to this by herself to PROVE that she knows something...which she doesn't.
It has nothing to do with "party over people"..it has to do with the fact that Hillary has some integrity and is smart enough to know a pliy when she sees one...she can address the rally SEPERATELY...after all she KNOWS what she is talking about!
Well... McCain and Palin are pulling out all the stops. I guess they still think that women won't notice that Clinton and Palin are not interchangable. What a bunch of idiots. Maybe if they pulled their heads out of their patoos they would actually realize that Clinton supporters didn't support her simply because she was a woman, but because she had a vision for America and just happened to be a woman.... By the way Clinton would make a great Secretary of State... Go Obama / Biden
I am in agreement with Senator Hillary Clinton for notifying the event organizier(s) that she will not be attending. Sarah Palin, Joe Biden, Senator McCain or Senator Obama in attendance would make that event more political in nature than what it is intended to be. For sure it would be more of a campaign photo-op. The next issue if find to be disturbing is, why would the GOP allow Gov. Palin to attend such function where she can give a stump speech for media consumption but refuse to allow her to be freely question by the media on the relevant issues and to face the music in her own state ligislature bipartisan (8 republicans and 4 democrats committee) inquirey of her handling of the firing of the State Public Commissioner. I am saying first thing(s) first. Clean out the closet of your own house (State concerns) before you should try to clean up the community centre (National concerns), this will show credibilty.
Good Hillary, don't let them try and trick you into some type of "joint appearance" that'll lend to her credibility issues.
WOW
Really TACKY attempt by the repubs to pull a fast one and get clinton and palin in the same room before Hillary knew what was happening to give the false impression to Hillary supporters that there was some kind of solidarity between the two and that they should maybe take to palin.
this is a low, cheap, tacky tactic even for rove & gang.
good thing Clinton is keen and saw what they were trying to pull in the knick of time!
Clinton did the right thing cancelling her appearance at the event. The republicans will no doubt rethink theirs of sending palin as well....how else will they explain her evasiveness of questions......she is scheuled to take questions from voters at atown hall meeting...pahleeze...her teleprompter will conveniently malfunction there too...ha!...which by the way was exposed as yet another lie!......so many lies and mistruths, fabrications etc by the republicans that i've lost count...and faith in the mccain/palin ticket!
This sounds like the work of republicans; Trying to make Clinton and Palin seem more alike. When in reality the only thing they have in common is their gender. And even that comes into question on occasion...
Politics over country, typical Dumbocrats. Republicans really do put country first.
Don't they know that you (Hillary) are too smart to be used like that. A child could have seen through that smoke screen. Way to Go!!! Awesome! Awareness!
HILLARY PREFERS THE NATURAL LOOK LIPSTICK THAT OBAMA WEARS EVERYDAY.
YES, OBAMA WEARS LIPSTICK. HE LOVES IT.
THE NEXT TIME YOU SEE HIM, LOOK AT THE CONTRAST BETWEEN HIS LIPS AND HIS CHEEKS.
HILLARY CANNOT MATCH PALIN's LIPSTICK !!!
Vincent September 17th, 2008 11:14 am ET
"Lovely Sarah Palin's hero:
It might be worth asking Governor Palin for a tally of the other favorites from her reading list."
Maybe we can get some more quotes from Rev Wright or Ayers.
Palin is a bad joke.
I commend Hillary Clinton for her actions. This group ought to be ashamed of their attempts for trying to put both women together. GOP needs to wake up and realize whats at stake, but they will never learn.
Hillary has already stated she's not going to be Obama's hit man against Palin....
Wonder why the Obama camp didn't inform her who was going to be on the slate? To force her into a Palin confrontation?
The disingenuity of the Obama camp is really starting to stink BADLY!