Thanks but no thanks: Palin pulls out of White House correspondents' dinner

By GottaLaff

Okay, so it's for a legitimate reason... for once. Her communications office actually got something right:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will miss a chance to chat up President Obama this weekend because she's cancelling plans to attend the White House Correspondents' dinner, but she's got a good excuse.

Palin on Wednesday declared a state of emergency because of record flooding in Eagle, Alaska. "It's basically wiped out a town," Bill McAllister, Palin's communications director, told CNN.

Palin was slated to be a guest of Fox News at the annual dinner.

What, Keith and Rachel didn't invite her? That's not very inclusive of them.

The former Republican presidential candidate has also pulled out of co-hosting a Friday night dinner for the Republican Governors Association with South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. The dinner is a thank you to donors who have contributed at least $25,000 to the group. The dinner for 50 will be held at the Virginia home of Fred Malek, a major Republican fundraiser.

Next on the list was Tim Pawlenty, but he couldn't wangle it. How does it feel to be third choice, Jon:

The RGA is now hoping Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, another hot property in Republican circles, can attend instead.

Nick Ayers, executive director of the RGA, said, "We'll have a good group there." Nick needs to work on his acting skills. He didn't convince me at all.

Summititis: No-shows at President Obama's fiscal responsibility summit

By GottaLaff

Every throw a party and have nobody show up? Now you know how Prez O feels. Wonkette:

President Obama invited over a bunch of congressmen and senators to talk about being fiscally responsible, and some of them showed up, but a lot of them didn’t. Even some breakout session panelists and moderators failed to appear because who knows, maybe they had something better to do than fix the economy??? [...]

Economic Recovery Advisory Board Chairman Paul Volcker, penciled in to lead the session on taxes, didn’t come. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, listed as a moderator of the health-care panel, was also missing, as was Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn, who had been tapped as a leader of the procurement session. Another mysterious absence: CIA Director Leon Panetta, the Clinton budget director, who was expected to lead the budget panel.

Jesus Christ, does the new president have syphilis or something? Nancy Pelosi showed up late, Harry Reid didn’t show up at all…Oh yes, and Larry Summers fell asleep.

They stood up the President of the United States? Hell, I'm afraid to say no to my principal!

More from Dana Milbank:

Holding a "fiscal responsibility summit" at the White House in the middle of a government spending spree is a bit like having an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a frat house on homecoming weekend. [...]

The attendance list distributed by the White House came with excuses helpfully printed after the names. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.): "Will not join breakout sessions." Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.): "Arriving at 2:30," 90 minutes late. Pelosi: "Will not join breakout sessions." [...]

For all the no-shows and the lack of planning, the summit had, in the end, provided something of value: a rare, public back-and-forth between the president, lawmakers and interest groups. No doubt some of the no-shows will wish they had been there -- and, luckily, they may get a second chance.

"We've scheduled a health-care summit next week," the president told the summiteers. "Not that I've got summititis here."

Maybe he should have provided an open bar. That would have clinched a full house.

Sarah Palin won't be making CPAC appearance

By GottaLaff

Is Interview-Me Palin ill? Has she finally been embarrassed once too often to show her face at a major GOP event? Has she been stung so many times that she's becoming... gun-shy? Yes, it's true! An opportunity for her to be in the spotlight is being-- gasp!-- rejected!

Sarah Palin will not be attending the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington later this month, her office confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

The Alaska governor had been expected to serve as the headline attraction at the three day event, which is also scheduled to include conservative icons like Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, and Ann Coulter. The presidential straw poll conducted at the annual Washington gathering is widely viewed as a reliable bellwether of conservative support. Several of the GOP’s past — and potentially future — presidential hopefuls are also slated to address the gathering, including Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.

Palin spokesman Bill McAllister did not give a reason for the governor's decision, but did agree with one organizer's explanation that it would be difficult for the governor to visit in the middle of the state’s legislative session.

We know the real reason: She had absolutely nothing to wear and the RNC wouldn't foot the bill for a new wardrobe.