Palin attends GOP fundraiser -- really

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WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin attended a monster Republican fundraiser after all, despite floating the possibility she wouldn't because she was uninvited to speak.

Palin ended speculation about attending the GOP's biggest fundraiser of the year Monday when she and husband Todd walked across the stage with keynote speaker Newt Gingrich and his wife Calista before the event started, CNN reported Tuesday.

An attempt to have the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate speak at the dinner for House and Senate Republicans fell through when organizers feared she might upstage Gingrich, the one-time House speaker.

Arizona Sen. John McCain, who ran at the top of the GOP presidential ticket, greeted his former running mate as she went to her table and later "tweeted": "Great to see Sarah and Todd at the dinner tonight -- nice reunion!"

Palin did not speak at the event, but still drew attention as Republicans made their way to her table during a program break, CNN reported.

The dinner raised $14.3 million for congressional Republicans, and will be divided equally between Senate and House campaign committees as they work to win back majorities in the 2010 midterm elections.