Rally drops Palin to guard message

Published: Sept. 19, 2008 at 7:52 AM
McCain, Palin campaign in Northern Virginia

NEW YORK, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Organizers of an anti-Iran rally at the United Nations say they withdrew an invitation to Sarah Palin to keep Monday's event from becoming too political.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., pulled out after learning Palin, the Republican Party vice presidential nominee, also had been invited. Her staff cited the same concern as rally officials who voiced concern over their message possibly being obscured.

Organizers said in a statement that the event was put together to protest Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's appearance at the United Nations and to oppose Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

"In order to keep the focus on Iranian threats and to ensure that this critical message not be obscured, the organizers of the rally have decided not to have any American political personalities appear," rally officials said.

However, pulling Palin's invitation set off a political battle of words when John McCain, the GOP presidential nominee, blamed "Democratic partisans" for pressuring the organizers to drop her, The Washington Post said. McCain also criticized Democratic rival Barack Obama for failing to take part in the event.

Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor, who said the campaign had planned to send someone to the rally, called the blast "another dishonorable lie" from McCain in an attempt to politicize the event.

The Monday rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is being sponsored by a coalition of American Jewish Organizations. Ahmadinejad addresses the U.N. General Assembly the next day.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Watercooler Stories (15 min)
Jockstrip: The world as we know it. (45 min)
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
Helicopter Moms: We are the champions
NBA: Golden State 146, Minnesota 105
NBA: New Orleans 112, LA Clippers 84
fark
Police officer: your breath test shows no alcohol, enjoy the rest of your night. Driver: Thanks...
Make sure your cell phone is locked so you don't accidentally dial numbers. Numbers like 911. While...
Photoshop these spirited students
Bunnies with penis implants. Hugh Hefner not amused
In a prelude to 2012, North and South Korea are shooting at each other
We miss George Bush because Obama has been attacked by a vampire. Or something like that