Palin Source Responds On Nashville TP Convention Issue

As I do have some reliable contacts in this regard, I decided to reach out on the issue of compensation for Sarah Palin to speak at an upcoming Nashville event billed as a Tea Party convention.

My source has no knowledge of the former Governor being paid but it is arranged through the Washington Speakers Bureau and it is between it and the organizers.

As an aside, I was also contacted by a television show inviting me on to discuss the issue. While exposure is always nice and, frankly, much needed right about now, my own research indicates they have featured items that have included Levi Johnston prominently in the past. As I do politics and not tabloid journalism and sense that's more what they are after, I've opted to not respond to their request. 

As I've attempted to make clear, I have no desire to try to damage any positive political brand Sarah Palin may presently enjoy, nor do I begrudge her speaking fees to which she may be entitled and have every right to charge.

My interest in this is more from the Tea Party perspective and what the organizers of this one event may have in mind, if anything, as concerns the broader Tea Party movement. On that score, I have no answers at all right now.

Comments

[Lisa Graas]

For the record, I totally "get" everything you say here. If you get any backlash from Palin supporters about this, it won't be fair treatment of you, in my personal view. Good work, Dan. Thanks for being a man and not merely a blogging machine! I see the difference now! haha

[bishop]

No, Dan, there are of course differences of opinion, but you are fair. And any outfit that featured the nut one, as a serious subject, isn't worth attention.

[Mary]

Good on you for leaving the tabloid news to the mainstream.

[Angela]

I respect you for leaving the tabloid junk alone. But, in all fairness, who cares if she gets paid 100,000 or 500,000 or nothing at all? This is capitalism. She is the sole breadwinner for her family. And no one is forcing anyone to buy a ticket. I'm sick of the insinuation that somehow it's "wrong" for Palin to demand a high speaker fee, but it's okay for Clinton, Gore, Condi Rice, and Bush to do so. I don't see people asking how much they get paid for events, or making a big deal out of their earnings.

[fb]

Dan: Apparently the lefty loony bloggers and posters in AK feel you no longer have any positive remarks to make about Gov. Palin (copied from one of their blogs-today's postings):

"Anonymous said...

THIS is not going to end well for S'arah. If the racist horrible Dan Rheil is writing negatively about her, it's basically over.
January 7, 2010 5:53 PM"

Someone from the "groppies" of the ex-kindergarten aide must have contacted lizzie madcow with anticipation you would be thrilled to help them demean Gov. Palin.

[AKR]

yawn, who cares how much she gets paid?

[inspectorudy]

I hate to say it Dan but your blog concerning her pay or no pay is the same kind of inquiry that Kouric asked on her interview about what do you read. It's not so much the subject matter as much as it is a question that NO other pol or public figure has to answer. Do you get paid for your blog or you just a good citizen? Is that column on the right a list of your close friends or family pictures? Who cares! God, don't try to destroy the FEW good pols that are on our side!!!!!!

[labwrs]

My issue with this isnt the amt of money SP is getting paid..it is the incredibly HIGH price of this entire event! They could have done it on a MUCH lesser scale and made it more affordable therefore getting more ppl attending and lowering the costs. Simple meeting planning, really.
Instead, they chose one of the PRICIEST resort hotels in Nashville (I live here and know it well) instead of a more convenient and cost effective location. I GUARANTEE they could have gotten MUCH lesser prices at the downtown hotels with PLENTY of meeting space. I am a few miles from this event and I wont be attending. Just too, too costly even without having to secure lodging and food. No thanks.