Sarah Palin Disses Reagan Library
Sarah Palin announced that she is not attending a Republican women’s event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on August 8, despite weeks of media reports to the contrary.
Former Alaska Governor Palin’s spokeswoman said in a statement on Facebook that “The Governor has other work and commitments to take care of at that time.”
Posted late Thursday on Palin’s “fan page” on Facebook, the statement says: “Neither the Governor’s state staff nor SarahPAC has ever committed to attending this event or speaking at this event, and even requested that the Governor’s name be removed from the invitation several weeks ago.”
The library event is to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Simi Valley Republican Women’s group, with Sarah Palin as the highlighted keynote speaker. Instead, the organization posted on its website: “We regret to inform you that Governor Sarah Palin is unable to attend our event on August 8, 2009. As stated, we invited her to attend and we were honored by her consideration …We will refund ticket purchases for anyone who chooses not to attend.”
Palin’s first public event since resigning as governor has been widely reported in the press, even though the event is closed to the media. Though the media reports of her attendance are now known to be incorrect, the speculation of the meaning of her first public event at the esteemed Reagan library was extremely positive.
Many interpreted her choice to make first speech as a private citizen at the esteemed library as a message that she wanted to take over the political mantle of Ronald Reagan and to show she has conservative intellect.
And, she couldn’t ask for a more supportive audience than Republican women at a conference at the esteemed Ronald Reagan library. The Simi Valley group is part of The California Federation of Republican Women which is self-described as “an avenue of political involvement for women who share the Republican philosophy.”
So, by not going to the event, Palin is hurting the groundswell of support she’s had in the week after leaving the governorship. This announcement also gives the appearance of amateur political staff advice and her own lack of understanding of the impact her not attending will make.
Palin really needs to get some experienced political staff in her PAC if she wants the media and the political establishment to take her seriously. In the Facebook statement, her staff actually puts on-the-record this seemingly overly dramatic explanation of how to request Sarah Palin for an event: “All event requests must be confirmed with Meghan Stapleton of SarahPAC. Additionally, all invitations bearing the Governor’s name must be approved by her attorney before proceeding.”
Never before in politics have I seen the actual sausage-making process of requesting and determining an appearance or interview with an official been put on-the-record.
Furthermore, responding via Facebook shows, to me, that her staff doesn’t know how to write a proper press release. In my years working for Republican politicians, I’ve written and released hundreds of statements — it’s not rocket science. While I appreciate the value of new social media as a way to reach citizens, it is neither the fastest nor an effective way to communicate when the media is the intended audience.
Palin has said she wants to push for a conservative political agenda. In a statement on July 4, she said, “I’ve never thought I needed a title before one’s name to forge progress in America. I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint.”
But if she wants to be taken seriously and covered by the media in this endeavor, she has to start acting like a professional. Prominent political figures have experienced staff – whether political pros in a PAC, established speakers bureaus or personal staff who know how to manage high-profile invitations and high-level officials.
Palin is being short-sighted by not going to the Reagan library event. Republicans consider it an honor to be invited to speak at Reagan library, and the audience is friendly and supportive of her.
Instead of releasing a statement saying she has other commitments, she should book a plane ticket to California and give a speech in her rousing style to her fellow conservative women.
