No press allowed at Aug. 8 Event; Reuters miffed

Steve Gorman has a post up on Reuters' Front Row Washington blog, and his title -- "Media barred from Palin’s post-gubernatorial debut" -- indicates where Gorman's focus is. For the media, it's all about them.

Sarah Palin is expected to be the guest speaker at the 50th anniversary gala hosted by the Simi Valley Republican Women, Federated at the Ronald Reagan Library's Air Force One Pavillion, but her representatives have not yet confirmed that she will appear there. So it seems that the "no media" sanction comes from the organizers, not from the Palin camp. Perhaps the GOP women remember the way the media treated President Reagan before his death and didn't want them to dishonor his memory by their presence in the library  named for him.

Yet Gorman seems to want to blame Sarah Palin for the fact that Reuters and the rest of the state-controlled media are personna non grata at the gala by the wording of his post's title and the closing paragraph of his post:

In a reminder of her often-testy relations with the media, she took a parting shot at the press during her farewell address in Fairbanks, Alaska, on Sunday, saying: "Democracy depends on you. That’s why our troops are willing to die for you. So how about in honor of the American soldier you quit making things up?"

We wonder at what point the drive-by media became such whiney little brats. Was it before or after they got in bed with Barack Obama and Joe "The Gaffemaster" Biden?

- JP

Statement by SVRWC: Palin at the Reagan Library

Via the S.F. Chronicle's Politics Blog:

Thank you for your expressed interest in our August 8th Event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. This event is an Anniversary Party paying tribute to our club's charter, and the Republican Women of Simi Valley, a non-profit group of volunteers.

Governor Sarah Palin is one of several featured guest speakers, and is slated to attend. Reservations are made by invitation only, and non-refundable. There will be no press passes or media passes issued.

Regarding Sarah Palin, "She embodies the values that we hold dear: Faith, Family, Country-first & Service. We are honored to call her our friend and advocate. Palin is noble, and admired by so many of us. She is an amazing human being whose aspirations are simply to bring out the best in people.''

Question: Any idea why she chose your event?

We are celebrating a golden anniversary (our charter)...and it is the 50th anniversary of Alaska's statehood. Sarah Palin loves Alaska and she has a huge following in California. (Her family roots are in southern California.)

Our event is being held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum...most of us view Palin as a "Reaganesque" figure, in her approach to policy.

Lastly, we offer tremendous support for the troops and Palin's mission is that of service. It resonates with all of us.

- JP

More on Gov. Palin at the Reagan Library Aug. 8

A few more details have come to light about Gov. Palin's impending appearance at the Ronald Reagan Library. In addition to what we reported here last week, SVWF spokeswoman Pat Saraceno said attendsnce at the event will be by invitation only, and it will be closed to the media. Documentary filmmaker and radio talk-show host John Ziegler will be the MC. Though a Reagan Library spokeswoman said the event will be held in the library's Air Force One pavilion which is spacious enough to accommodate thousands of people, invitations will only be going out to "several hundred people" who are expected to attend.

- JP