Busy Sarah Palin Backs Out of CPAC; Rush Limbaugh Is Still Speaking

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

The opening-day headliner for the annual CPAC conservative convention February 26-28, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, has pulled out, citing state business in Juneau. "We're obviously disappointed," said a CPAC official. A spokesman for the three-day confab, organized by the American Conservative Union Foundation and others, said that Palin, the popular former vice presidential nominee, had indicated she would be able to attend but cited "duties of governing" in bowing out. Instead, she will send in a taped message. The decision was clearly a blow to many of those planning to be there, who expected to see Palin address the group on the opening day and Obama foe Rush Limbaugh wrap up the convention. Limbaugh is confirmed to speak on Saturday, February 28. One conservative associated with the convention said Palin, who earlier this month attended the prestigious Alfalfa Club dinner, was "making a mistake" by not appearing in person. But another said that the taped message, while lacking the wow factor of an in-person presentation, showed that she was still keen on keeping close ties to the conservative movement as she builds her political action committee, SarahPAC, and considers her national career in politics.

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