Palin is coming

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will make an appearance in Iowa on behalf of the Republican Party of Iowa.  Palin was last in Iowa in December of 2009, for a book-signing event in Sioux City.  The Iowa GOP issued a news release this morning:

Gov. Sarah Palin to Headline Iowa GOP’s Ronald Reagan Dinner

“Salute to Freedom” Event, Friday, September 17
 
DES MOINES – Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today announced Governor Sarah Palin will be the Party’s special guest at the upcoming Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom.

“The Iowa GOP is pleased that Gov. Palin is traveling to Iowa to join the battle to return principled, conservative leadership to Iowa,” said Chairman Strawn. “Our economic and personal freedoms are under attack in Washington, DC and Des Moines. I know Iowa Republicans will be energized and motivated by Gov. Palin to stand up and fight for these principles all the way to Election Day and beyond.”

The Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom will take place the evening of Friday, September 17 in Des Moines. The exact time and location will be announced closer to the event. Tickets for the Reagan Dinner are $100 each, or $1,000 for a table of eight.

Strawn noted that while the former Governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential nominee is popular among Iowans, the current economy is challenging for many Iowa families who may wish to attend. That is why the Iowa GOP is offering Iowans an opportunity to volunteer through any of its ten statewide Victory Centers in exchange for a ticket to the Ronald Reagan “Salute to Freedom” Dinner.  For additional details regarding volunteer opportunities, Iowans should contact their local Iowa GOP Victory Center in: Ames, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Marion, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Urbandale.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing RSVP@IowaGOP.org or by calling 515-282-8105.

UPDATE:  read some of what the national media is saying about Palin’s pending trip.  Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times talked about the “Iowa political terrain” in his post; Mark Halperin of Time offered half-a-page of analysis;  Peter Hamby of CNN says the trip comes at an “opportune” moment;  Chris Cilizza of The Washington Post uses the word “spadework” in his blog post.