Palin won't be speaking at GOP convention

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TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, says she won't be speaking at the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., this month.

"Everything I said at the 2008 convention about then-candidate [Barack] Obama still stands today, and in fact the predictions made about the very unqualified and inexperienced community organizer's plans to 'fundamentally transform' our country are unfortunately coming true," Palin said in a statement to Fox News. "This year is a good opportunity for other voices to speak at the convention and I'm excited to hear them."

Palin's statement came Saturday as Mitt Romney, the presumptive GOP nominee, was introducing Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, chairman of the House Budget Committee, as his running mate.

"As I've repeatedly said, I support Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in their efforts to replace President Obama at the ballot box," Palin said. "I intend to focus on grassroots efforts to rally independents and the GOP base to elect Senate and House members so a wise Congress is ready to work with our new president to get our country back on the right path."

Politico said it wasn't clear from the statement whether Palin was invited to speak at the GOP convention Aug. 27-30.