Republicans ditch Palin for Gingrich

Washington, Apr. 1 (ANI): Congressional Republicans have decided to ditch the former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in favour of the former House speaker Newt Gingrich for the House-Senate fundraising dinner on June 8 in Washington.

This is a gazebo Republican event to raise money for GOP House and Senate candidates.

Just weeks ago, the House and Senate Republican campaign committees had firmly secured telegenic Palin for the major fundraiser. But Alaska Governor's attitude made things go awry.

When spokespersons for the committee insisted that Palin was scheduled for the dinner, her office declared that she was still considering the invitation and had not yet made a decision.

Republicans fumed over how the governor handled this.

"She was a disaster. We had confirmation," Fox News quoted one Republican source, as saying.

As for inviting Gingrich, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Ken Spain said the GOP decided to go in another direction.

"Speaker Gingrich is a leader," Spain said.

The campaign committees were so annoyed with Palin that they did not even bother to officially notify her that they rescinded the invitation, sources claimed.

The decision to book Gingrich instead of Palin seems to be indicative of growing discontent in the party with the Alaska governor and her potential ability to lead the GOP.

It is only the latest in a series of blunders that Palin has been accused of since November.

Earlier this year, Palin withdrew at the last moment from speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in Washington. (ANI)