Steele: Palin is one of the GOP's current leaders

According to an AP report, Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, in Evansville Indiana to attend the Vanderburgh County Right to Life banquet tonight, appraised Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as one of the current atandard bearers of the GOP.

Organizers say an overflow crowd of 3,000 has turned out for the event, which is now in progress. Chairman Steele and Gov. Palin haven't been called on to speak yet. You still have time to watch it via a live stream from CNN, here (requires Adobe Flash Player).

The Evansville Courier & Press reported today that before it was certain that the governor would make the trip to Indiana, some Vanderburgh County conservatives attempted to entice her there with an offer to hold a fundraiser for SarahPAC, her political action committee:

"She declined that offer almost immediately," said Hermann, who is chairman of the Vanderburgh County Republican Party. "My understanding is, her feeling was that if she came, she'd be here to support Vanderburgh County Right to Life and not to raise money for her PAC."

Right to Life officials have said Palin is not being paid for her appearance here, but SarahPAC is picking up her expenses.

That sounds just like the Sarah Palin those of us who support her have come to admire and respect. It's the same Sarah Palin who turned down a substantial raise in her salary as Alaska's governor.

This banquet has become a very high-profile event for Gov. Palin. The McClatchy chain of newspapers has described it as the former vice presidential candidate's return to the national stage. Among the media outlets that were expected to be there are CNN, ABC News, C-Span, and Fox News. Vanity Fair and The Weekly Standard should also be present.

- JP