Sarah Palin speech a hot ticket for Oregon Republicans

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The Eugene, Oregon Register-Guard reports that Sarah Palin’s appearance in Eugene this month has sold out, so the Lane County GOP has added a $100 pay-per-view option for those who want to watch the former governor's keynote address, but were not able to get tickets:

The Lane County Republican Central Committee has sold all of its $250 tickets for dinner and Palin’s speech on April 23 at the 750-person capacity Hilton Eugene main hall. Ticket purchasers include some of Eugene’s biggest business names, plus at least two Oregon gubernatorial hopefuls.

According to campaign finance disclosures, Lane County Republicans are on track to gross at least $188,000 on the event — a portion of which will pay for Palin’s speaking fees, hotel bills, food and other expenses, said Whaanga Kewene, coordinator for the event, which is called the Lincoln Day Dinner.

“It is exceeding our expectations,” he said, noting that local Republicans began working to bring Palin to Eugene last fall. Since then, she has published a memoir, made several high-profile tea party movement appearances, and last week launched a show on Fox News.

“Her popularity has excelled since we started this planning process. That makes a big difference,” Kewene said.

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Although the party appears to be financially ahead already after selling out the Hilton’s main hall, the party could pad its fundraising totals if it sells all 280 tickets available to watch Palin’s speech on a big video screen.

Tickets include a social hour that begins at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6:45 p.m.

As with all events where Gov. Palin speaks, cell phones, cameras and recording devices are not permitted, a stipulation insisted on by her booking agent, the Washington Speakers Bureau.

- JP