It seems that almost anything Sarah Palin touches—a Tea Party speech, targeting Democrats—turns into controversy. So here’s a head’s-up. On May 14, 2010, the former Alaska governor will be the featured speaker at a Washington, DC, breakfast fundraiser for the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion group. A single ticket costs $150. But those who want a photo with her can purchase a $5,000 package that includes 10 tickets to the breakfast and two tickets to the “photo opportunity.” The VIP package for $25,000 comes with 20 tickets to the speech but still only 6 tickets to that “photo opportunity.”
The Susan B. Anthony List has been a big booster of Palin. In 2008, it launched a social networking site called TeamSarah.org to support her vice-presidential campaign. This is Palin’s crowd. The group’s chairman, Jane Abraham, notes, “As a mother, wife, and successful leader—[Palin] embodies what it means to be a pro-life feminist today. From moms at the PTA to women leaders in the boardroom, Sarah Palin continues to serve as a role model for what it means to be a true American woman leader, and we are honored to have her stand with us.”
Besides, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) was not available for the gig. Earlier this week—after the anti-abortion Stupak and the White House forged an abortion-related compromise that would lead to passage of the health care reform bill—the Susan B. Anthony List declared it was withdrawing the “Defender of Life” award it had planned to bestow upon Stupak. “I didn’t seek the award,” Stupak told CNN. “I stood on my principle. I don’t need an award.” And now the group has found someone else to celebrate. The press release announcing the Palin speech did not say whether or not she would receive a fee for her appearance.
UPDATE: Mallory Quigley, press secretary for the Susan B. Anthony List, emails: “We are very excited. Governor Palin is not receiving a speaker fee, she will be doing the event to benefit Susan B. Anthony List.”
