Palin uninvited to speak at GOP fundraiser

WASHINGTON, June 8 (UPI) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's scheduled-canceled-scheduled appearance Monday at a Republican fundraising dinner was canceled again.

After being twice invited to speak to the annual joint fundraiser for the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Palin was told she wouldn't be allowed to address the GOP gathering after all, Politico reported.

The reason? NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas didn't want the 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate to overshadow keynote speaker and former House leader Newt Gingrich, a Palin aide told the Washington publication.

Now Palin may skip the dinner, her aides said.

A campaign committee aide said Palin was uninvited from speaking "out of respect" for Gingrich.

"A great deal of effort has been put into this fundraising event, and Speaker Gingrich has gone above and beyond the call of duty," said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. "It is our hope that Governor Palin will attend the dinner and be recognized, but we understand if her busy schedule doesn't permit her to do so."

Palin was in New York during the weekend, marking the 50th anniversary of Alaska statehood at a celebration in Auburn, N.Y., hometown of William Seward of "Seward's Folly" fame, and speaking at fundraiser for Independent Group Home Living, Newsday reported. Palin's youngest child was born with Down syndrome.