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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Iowans question Palin's $100K fee

Posted: Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:48 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: ,

From NBC's Mark Murray
Yesterday, we noted that the Iowa Family Policy Center has invited Sarah Palin to address the group on Nov. 21, which just happens to be the same day when Vice President Biden attends the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson dinner in the Hawkeye State.

Palin has yet to decide whether she'll attend the event in Iowa, but this story might complicate things a bit: Politico's Martin writes that the Iowa Family Policy Center is raising $100,000 to pay for Palin's speaking fee -- which has raised eyebrows from other Iowa groups.

"[R]epresentatives from other Iowa-based political advocacy groups said they would never consider shelling out money for what many politicians see as a privilege: the opportunity to speak to a room full of sure-fire caucus-goers who often serve as precinct captains and can be instrumental to a presidential candidate’s success. 'If somebody tells me they want me to pay an appearance fee, it tells me they’re not very serious about running for president,' said Ed Failor, Jr., president of Iowans for Tax Relief and an influential GOP insider."

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Sarah Palin = PRICELESS!


ROTFLMFAO!!!


Don't worry. When the Dems take over healthcare you won't have a choice Feisty, Obie knows what is best for you. You WILL take the injections, you WILL buy health insurance, you WILL obey.

Do as them Dems say Not as them Dems do! (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:15 AM)

Government run healthcare will change all that crap Feisty. You'll be on their dollar then and a girl's gotta do what GRHC says. Don't forget it now, ya hear?

Kathy, Charlotte (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:28 AM)
______________________

I’m going to keep this short & ‘sweet’…

Either post the text of the HCR bill where it says the Government will FORCE you to get flu shots (a link would be acceptable as well)… or STFU!

Take your BS scare tactics on over to Faux... they're gullible enough to believe it!
_______________________

Unfortunately for our wallets we got Bozo the Clown in the Oval office practicing his putting as the world awaits delivery of his promises.

You're right, that's a pretty funny picture. LOL
Ed Crane, Middlebury, IN (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:32 AM
_______________________

This is your answer to not having a sense of humor??? Wtf???

ALWAYS the ALMIGHTY $$$$ with your side!  You know what… I’d rather be broke and able to laugh than have your money and be an uptight a@@hole!

Life’s too short!

________________________

Feisty:  3 outta 4 ain't bad!  ;-)  I almost always read the comments here, but usually by the time I get around to posting the comments have been "shut down" for the day.  I just call things like I see them.  Just because I consider myself conservative doesn't mean I'm going to blindly follow the Republicans.  (I consider myself fiscally conservative but much more moderate on "social" issues).  Honest debate is always a good thing.


Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 10:33 AM
__________________________

Which is precisely WHY we need more ‘Grimey’s’ around here… you & I have had our differences but it was always a good time debating each other!
IOWANS QUESTION PALIN'S $100K FEE

Then don't pay it.
If I were them, I'd be giving the 100K to Levi to spill the beans on what the Wasilla Hillbilly did that was illegal when she was the Gov of AK so no one will have to endure this idiot on the national stage any longer.  Thanks again McIdiot, for thrusting this jerk on us all.  What a monster he created.
Maybe Obama could give Iowa a bail-out to help them pay for Sarah to come and talk?
"[R]epresentatives from other Iowa-based political advocacy groups said they would never consider shelling out money for what many politicians see as a privilege: the opportunity to speak to a room full of sure-fire caucus-goers who often serve as precinct captains and can be instrumental to a presidential candidate’s success.

--------------------------------------------------

It never stopped Slick Willie from taking $200K a pop for speeches he made to anyone who was dumb enough to pay and bored enough to listen!
Iowa residents might be better served spending money to find a senator to replace Grassley.

Jody: Don't let those Hawkeyes hurt my Hoosiers. After the outcome, I'll comment on Monday.  

You are an excellent writer.  Keep posting.
It bothers me that people cannot see through Palin as an opportunist.  Simply in there for whats in there for her.  That she was mistakenly tapped to be a VP running mate should not be misconstrued as having potential.  She has none...none. That was a mistake...lets not repeat it.  She can talk disjointedly with sound bites to rattle the base, but she is without content, context and substance to lead a nation like America.  There is indeed a mistake in continuing to associate her as a serious future presidential candidate.  Demanding money to speak to potential party leaders is an example of the careless lack of judgment to be expected from Palin.  
Family values ~ let's see ...

Hundreds of thousands of dollars coerced from individual pockets which probably can't afford it to pay un-informed, mis-informed, stick-at-nothing, mal-intended, and empty-headed pitbulls with lipstick; but not one penny more for taxes for protecting the environment, preventing climate change, health care for the poor, early childhood education, public schools, roads, bridges, social security, actual family planning, food inspection, or H1N1 vaccine delivery.  

Doesn't that about sum it up, Republicans?
This is only the beginning for someone who cried about big spending
PALIN BELONGS ON WALL STREET WITH ALL HER FELLOW MONEY-GRUBBERS. HER GREED IS ONLY EXCEDED BY HER INANITY!
No Jo don't know that my earlier made it through so I'll double it. Good news and glad to hear. the Redneck community will continue a little prayer for you and yours. If there is more that we can do you have but to ask. As for Palin she ain't worth the time.
Sarah would be worth every penny.
FR, what is with your teenage obsession with Ex-Governor Sarah Palin?  Don't you get enough satisfaction working out your inadequacies in your closet with the latest copy of Victoria's Secret?
For $10,000, I hope Sarah plays the flute and raps

She should wear her bathing suit, too

Sarah got a $1.5M advance on her book
Laura Bush got $1.6M
I think the Shrub got $7M

Sarah's books are being discounted to $10

See what happens when you don't include a center fold ??
Senator Lieberman: Please take Rachel Maddow up on her offer and appear on her program. We are losing faith in you - FAST.

Is it true you are more concerned about the insurance industry and their profits than you are about your own constituency? We all think so. The insurance cos. are still going to be making billions of dollars once health care reform is passed. What are you so worried about?

Please appear on Rachel's program. Soon. You have some 'splaining to do.

Most people see Palin for what she is, a $$$ hungry Phycopath, while other's see right thru her. Then there's the Taliban (all 2% ofem).

Whereever you fall, it's up to You !

Personnally, I think she's several "Freedom Fries" short of a happy meal !
WTF>>>>If you dont want to pay it...then don't..simple...Does everything have to be a news story? This guy that is talking all of this sh!t is probably not significant anyway.
Chump change compared to the $$$ Obama raised.

Let's get real here people!
It bothers me that people cannot see through Palin as an opportunist.  Simply in there for whats in there for her.  That she was mistakenly tapped to be a VP running mate should not be misconstrued as having potential.  She has none...none. That was a mistake...lets not repeat it.  She can talk disjointedly with sound bites to rattle the base, but she is without content, context and substance to lead a nation like America.  There is indeed a mistake in continuing to associate her as a serious future presidential candidate.  Demanding money to speak to potential party leaders is an example of the careless lack of judgment to be expected from Palin.  
Eumoh, Plano TX (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:08 AM)

#######################

EVERY POLITICIAN is an opportunist. They ALL lie, cheat, and say whatever it takes to get votes in order to maintain power. If you think your politician really gives a ratz azz about you personally; then you are the very person that purchased that waterside property in the Mojave desert.
Family values ~ let's see ...

Hundreds of thousands of dollars coerced from individual pockets which probably can't afford it to pay un-informed, mis-informed, stick-at-nothing, mal-intended, and empty-headed pitbulls with lipstick; but not one penny more for taxes for protecting the environment, preventing climate change, health care for the poor, early childhood education, public schools, roads, bridges, social security, actual family planning, food inspection, or H1N1 vaccine delivery.  

Doesn't that about sum it up, Republicans?

Anna Molly (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:09 AM)

##################

Oh so it is only cohersed when a Republican do it, but when it is a Democrat it is an opportunity to donate to greatness.
They could get Jon Gosselin for $10K, and he prolly knows waaaay more about politics and just about anything else that requires thinking....
Anna Molly

You're a work in progress. Up is down and down is up.
Start making sense.
And Sarah has the gall to call Jeans boy a gold digger,this woman is the poster child for the Family value party.She is to those who have daughters the greatest example of what one would not want there child to be,First a quitter,she couldn't handle the pressure of having to defend herself from all the charges against her,She bailed for the dollars,just what you would expect from a Country first republican.100.000 grand for what,a wink,show some leg,and walla you get paid,no content,no thought just Rush and Beck talking points,they would be better off running Fixed un=news on the big screen,get the same speech,and not cost a dime.
Most people see Palin for what she is, a $$$ hungry Phycopath, while other's see right thru her. Then there's the Taliban (all 2% ofem).

Whereever you fall, it's up to You !

Personnally, I think she's several "Freedom Fries" short of a happy meal !
Rick,Ky


We know what's in Palin's bank account. What's in your wallet?
Dumbest President? MSierra

Barack Obama by far. Look at the $$ he has spent and the results he has gotten.

Look at the appointee's he carefully screened who were forced to withdraw over legal issues. Yep. Obama by a long shot at this point.
Easy! Iowa could wuse their stimulus money to pay for Ms. Palin!
Chump change compared to the $$$ Obama raised.

Let's get real here people! Josh Larson, FL

The difference is Josh that unlike Sarah the Greedy the funds The President raised went to fund his political campaign not line his own pockets. Sarah is being seen for what she really is, a money grubbing opportunist which is fine but not very Presidential.
These RINOS in Liberal Iowa need to either fork over the money or quit wasting Sister Sarah's time?

Don't they realize what the money is for? First she needs to fly her whole gaggle of kids down so everyone can be reminded that she is a mother. A half dozen first class tickets aren't cheap people.

Then she needs to hire someone to man the Russia Lookout post she has set up in her front yard. She can't just abandon it. Its a national security issue!

Then of course she'll need to go shopping at that consignment store she loves so much. If she wears the same thing twice on camera the Liberal Media will attack her. Why? Obviously because the Liberal Media is made up of the gays and the gays love fashion.
If they have to pay Sarah to speak in Iowa it is a clear sign that the state has lost its political place as a testing ground for politicians. One should expect to pay for former presidents, former vice presidents and justices. It is seen as an honor to have them accept one's invitation. Is it an honor to have Sarah who quit her leadership position in her state, who proposed a pipeline deal that has become a financial disaster, who made a mockery of capacity for politicial leadership?
Guess Levi said it right, she's just a mercenary in it for the money and being a governor was a wet towel on her squeezing as much in before her shelf life expired on celeberity. And some of you Kool-Aid drinking Palinites can't see the forest for the trees. She is a hillbilly who hit it rich. Thanks McCain...not!
With regards to Levi, he should just admit that the only reason he dated Bristol was to get to Sarah (wink, wink).

Seriously, though, there is a really scary similarity between Sarah's reaction to Levi and Obama's reaction to FOX news.  We're talking about intelligent people (relatively in Sarah's case) responding to pure childishness.  Both of them really need to take a step back and look at what they're reacting to.  

For Sarah, she needs to realize that this is a CHILD that she is arguing with, and not a very bright one at that.  As much as I dislike her, I think Levi is really going below the belt, and I actually agree with Sarah in that his stripping for PLAYGIRL (a mag who's readership consists of mostly GAY MEN) really robs him of any credibility.

As for President Obama, aside from the hitch in my stomach I get when ANY administration starts calling out media entities (much like the tingle Chris Matthews gets up his leg), he really needs to look at the FOX News audience.  Barely educated, unsophisticated, easily manipulated, and extremely unstable.  They already think he's trying to indoctronate their children, and now he's attacking the BORG alcove into which they plug themselves daily, which is sure to send them off the deep end.  This is not a battle worthy of his time and efforts.

My point is that thinking adults (even silly Sarah) should never waste time arguing with people of lesser intelligence (which is saying a lot given Sarah's level of intelligence).  Both Levi and FOX belong in the same cesspool of ignorance.  Flush them and move on.

Ron, great post in First Thoughts, and I agree.  Which is why I have lately endevoured not to answer specific posts here, rather make more general commentary.  Besides, it's way more fun to watch how the right seems to be canibalizing itself.  Was it Sun Tzu who said don't stand in the way of an enemy who is defeating itself?

GO PHILS!!! ONE DOWN, THREE MORE TO GO!!!
http://jawillie.blog.com
Levi, one.  Palin, zero.
Cisco ~ LoL  Not bloody likely.  I LIKE not making sense.  It drives republicans crazy.  Republicans are SO cute when they're crazy.  
If Ed Failor, a real penny-pinching republican is against shelling out $100K even for Palin, others won't be thrilled either.  Gotta watch out for Iowans, we don't take kindly to paying for a speeches from those wanting to test the presidential water.  
How is that bible spice still gets all this adulation from the christian right? She has the family values of a gerbil and only slightly more intelligence.
I think this name is witty (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:33 AM)

Me, too.
Make what the coffers will offer, whether it's $100,000 or half a mill.

Capitalism rules.
greg Chicago: The difference is Josh that unlike Sarah the Greedy the funds The President raised went to fund his political campaign not line his own pockets.



Oh don't worry. Bill Clinton charges $500,000 for a 45 minute speech. Greedy Barack will charge at least double that, and get it, after he leaves office in 2013.
If Ed Failor, a real penny-pinching republican is against shelling out $100K even for Palin, others won't be thrilled either.  Gotta watch out for Iowans, we don't take kindly to paying for a speeches from those wanting to test the presidential water.  
Jody, Iowa
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Jody,
I think the problem is that she either doesn't have a good political advisor or she has no plan to run in 2012.
Judging from her past it is the former.
Let's see first of all the article is not about Obama
Is that clear people! It's about a money hungry ghost nameed Palin who scares everyone with a brain this women has no place asking for 100,000 g's give me a break I'm writing my Memoir right now no advance no ghost writer. This is what real people do they do the work themselves not quit not let some writer hack do the work for them she's a disgrace to every hard working person in this country (HAPPY HALLOWEEN)
Levi Johnston may have been right about one thing--Palin is all about the money.  
 
A 100,000.00 for Palin to tell a group of Iowa republicans; "I can see Russia from my porch".
They could get Jon Gosselin for $10K, and he prolly knows waaaay more about politics and just about anything else that requires thinking....
jboz (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:25 AM)

Please give a definition from the dictionary of the word prolly. This is a new one unless you mean PROBABLY. That would make sense.

GO PHILS!!! ONE DOWN, THREE MORE TO GO!!!
http://jawillie.blog.com
jawillie Philadelphia, PA (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:35 AM)

From the left coast rooting for Phillie.

If Sinister, sister, Sarah Palin gets $1 or $1M what does it matter? She is still just as ignorant, just as grating on the ears, and just as much of a quitter and greedy, self-serving, gold digger either way.

Entertainers often make more than they are worth. She is entertaining if nothing else.
Oh don't worry. Bill Clinton charges $500,000 for a 45 minute speech. Greedy Barack will charge at least double that, and get it, after he leaves office in 2013.
Chuckie Reedy, SC (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:46 AM)

What does Dubya get for a speech? About the same and so does his daddy and J. Carter and Reagan got even more. So quitchurbitchin.
This Palin 'news' is mostly just conjecture, but goes to show the star power of America's favorite political personality. Just the mention of her name brings click-click-clicks from news junkies like me. The book tour is next, will she reach saturation then? Sure hope so, it's like being addicted to a reality TV show gone bad. Poor misguided boyfriend just trying to make a buck, too. Of course us lefties love it, the dream candidate in 2012. But kinda makes me sad to see conservatives who accuse us of being Obamadroids plug into the "BORG alcove" of Palinism, as Willie so artfully phrases it.
Thanks for the kind words, Ron.  I'll keep posting.  The Hawkeyes are minus a couple players who were injured Saturday so who knows.  

About Grassley, first time in years but there might be a chance.  Grassley was first elected in 1980 when he beat John Culver (the long-time friend and college mate who spoke about his experience sailing with Ted Kennedy at the wake).  Usually there is one challenger.  So far there are 3, Tom Fiegen, Bob Krause and Sal Mohamed and a suprise in the paper Tues night, a woman named Roxanne Conlin.  She has not announced yet but is expected to.  I wasn't in Iowa in the 80's when she ran for Governor but from what I gather, she gave him a fight.  The article speculated that Grassley will be tough to beat because he's the incumbent but there's a problem for him--normally Grassley has a low profile in Washington so his folksy ways were ignored.  But HCR has given him a very high profile and with it Iowans have seen a less than professional Senator.  We've seen the idiotic statements he has made this summer on national TV and the demands to get rid of him are equal in number and frequency with what I saw the year Jim Leach lost.  Iowans don't like to appear as lacking smarts on the national stage and some of his remarks were not just factless but tacky and offensive.    
Iowa charges 5 cents on each beer and pop can.
I'll donate a couple of cases of Bud cans' worth of nickels to her, if that'll help!
I'm sure at a contribution of $2.40, she's be well worth the price of admission.
McCain threw Palin at America. Since McCain  states "Palin fire ups a crowd"...send him the bill for all her crazy speeches.
Eileen C. Tallon, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada (Sent Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:53 PM)

--------------------------------------------

Take off hoser! Your last prime minister resigned in a bribery scandal, eh!

Sault Ste. Marie is the Gary Indiana of Canada, an industrial cess pool that time forgot.

Go read the 'Globe and Mail' if you want Left wing sympathy.


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