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Motorcycle Rally Hosts Uneasy About Palin's Presence [Rolling Thunder confirms Palin invitation]
The Atlantic ^ | Friday, May 27, 2011 | Chris Good

Posted on 05/27/2011 12:41:31 PM PDT by kristinn

SNIP

"It is a big distraction, because my phone's been ringing off the hook since she announced it," Ted Shpak, legislative director for Rolling Thunder, the group that hosts the annual rally in support of American POWs and veterans, told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell in an interview Friday. Shpak implied that Palin's presence would detract from the event's focus.

"We're not political, this is not a political event," Shpak said. "The way it came out, it sounded like we endorsed her."

Though Palin will reportedly make Sunday's rally the first stop in her bus tour, Shpak was clear that her bus will not ride in the group of motorcycles that will travel from a near the Pentagon, along the National Mall, and back.

SNIP

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: enemedia; palin; pds; rollingthunder; sarahpalin; waronsarah
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From the New York Daily News:

SNIP

What's also known about the bus tour is that she'll kick it off at the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally that starts at the Pentagon. But Ted Shpak, a director of the group, which brings attention to American troops who fought in wars, said Palin was never invited.

"We're not political. This is not a political event. Maybe she's coming because she knows we have half a million people coming," Shpak told MSNBC. "We're not endorsing anybody and she's not speaking on our stage."

SNIP

Before anyone jumps on Ted Shpak, he's a good guy. I know him and have worked with him in the past. Rolling Thunder is a 501c3 and must stay out of electoral politics.

Knowing Ted, and knowing that the news about Sarah attending Rolling Thunder came right at the crunch time for putting the finishing touches on the event, I can see where getting deluged with phone calls would be a distraction.

I'm sure Sarah Palin will be well received by the vets as a Blue Star mom and big supporter of the troops, as will her husband, Todd.

One benefit to Rolling Thunder is that this is bringing publicity to their cause of remembering POW/MIAs and issues concerning veterans.

1 posted on 05/27/2011 12:41:39 PM PDT by kristinn
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To: kristinn
But See:

(ABC News) - For the riders of Rolling Thunder, the news that Sarah Palin will participate in their national rally on Sunday came as a surprise. A welcome surprise. “I think that’s wonderful,” said Gerri Tramel, president of one of Rolling Thunder’s Tennessee chapters. “Anybody that’s involved — Republican, Democrat, independent, whatever — if you’re involved with our veterans, I think that’s wonderful. Not just Sarah Palin — anyone that’s a politician.” For more than 20 years, as many as half a million motorcycle riders from across the country have descended on Washington, D.C., during Memorial Day weekend to raise awareness about prisoners of war and those missing in action. Rolling Thunder announced Thursday that Palin accepted an invitation to participate in its May 29 rally. She’ll kick off her One Nation Tour the same day, a bus trip along the northeast coast that aims “to educate and energize Americans about our nation’s founding principles.” Asked how Palin came to be involved with the rally, Rolling Thunder spokeswoman Nancy Regg said, “I honestly don’t know.” “I’m not the person that invited her,” she said. “We send letters to people all the time and invite them. We invited her to ride, she has accepted and she and her husband have both agreed to ride for us.” Regardless of Palin’s political agenda — the “Will she or won’t she?” fervor over her potential presidential run reached new heights this week — the members of Rolling Thunder agreed her participation is a boon. “If she wants to support the troops, we’re all for it,” said Greg Benson, president of Rhode Island’s Rolling Thunder chapter.

2 posted on 05/27/2011 12:42:56 PM PDT by eureka! (Tea Party = Real Americans' ACORN --the ground game will save us.)
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To: kristinn
"Distraction" seems to be the new "Unexpected."
3 posted on 05/27/2011 12:43:14 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (If Sarah Palin really was unelectable, state-run media would be begging the GOP to nominate her.)
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To: kristinn
I know him and have worked with him in the past. Rolling Thunder is a 501c3 and must stay out of electoral politics.

Just like black churches, the unions, and Soros-front organizations stay out of electoral politics?

4 posted on 05/27/2011 12:52:04 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

I agree. Screw Rolling Thunder....Apparently they are not ‘rolling with any balls’.....


5 posted on 05/27/2011 12:53:54 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

it’s political ,except when it isn’t.

U.S. Rep Randy Forbes (R-VA) leads ‘Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Ride’
June 8th, 2010 12:08 pm ET

Congressman Forbes was invited to ride at the head of the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day Weekend 2010 for his work on veterans issues.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/replicate/EXID1197/images/MIC_JRF_Rolling_Thunder1A_.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.examiner.com/boomer-biker-in-national/u-s-rep-randy-forbes-r-va-leads-rolling-thunder-motorcycle-ride&usg=__BsBnumFtvJQRgkqRN8sSau9zSr0=&h=138&w=300&sz=88&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=ftVaY0fEQZMj4M:&tbnh=53&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcongressman%2Brolling%2Bthunder%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D777%26bih%3D463%26tbm%3Disch&ei=Sv7fTeK5O5K4sQPkntiXBw


6 posted on 05/27/2011 12:54:01 PM PDT by WOBBLY BOB ( "I don't want the majority if we don't stand for something"- Jim Demint)
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To: kristinn

I am certain he does not need the frustration of leftwing media scum trying to make a story where non-exists.

that said, it is hard to deny that she has created attention to this event. I know for other motorcycle events other celebrities just show up and have fun for a cause. You never know who will be in the lines. is she going to be in the VIP section or will she be riding in the pack with the peeples.


7 posted on 05/27/2011 12:54:10 PM PDT by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: kristinn

I don’t think there’s ever been a more polarizing figure than Sarah Palin.

I understand it’s possible, but I find it hard to imagine anyone having strong feelings about her that are not politically linked.


8 posted on 05/27/2011 12:54:32 PM PDT by reasonisfaith (Relativism is the intellectual death knell of liberal ideology.)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

Exactly! They don’t play fair so why should we?


9 posted on 05/27/2011 12:54:38 PM PDT by CodeToad (Islam needs to be banned in the US and treated as a criminal enterprise.)
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To: reasonisfaith
Polarizing figure........

Obama.

10 posted on 05/27/2011 12:57:49 PM PDT by proud2beconservativeinNJ ("In God We Trust")
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To: kristinn
Sarah Louise Palin

Born February 11, 1964 in Sandpoint, ID (Meets the Jus Soli Requirement)

Parents were
Charles R Heath, born in ID
Sarah Sheeran, born in WI

Both parents were US Citizens at the time of her birth (Meets the Jus Sanguinis Requirement)

Sarah Palin is a NATURAL BORN CITIZEN unlike Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama.

11 posted on 05/27/2011 12:58:04 PM PDT by ASA Vet (Natural-born citizens, are those born in the country, of parents who are citizens. De Vattel)
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To: kristinn

They purposely misconstrued his words

As a 501c3 THE MUST REMAIN NON-POLITICAL

I hope a few of these motorcyclists dont take ‘offense’ at being used that way for political gain


12 posted on 05/27/2011 12:59:31 PM PDT by Mr. K (CAPSLOCK! -Unleash the fury! [Palin/Bachman 2012- unbeatable ticket])
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Or the new “uninvited”

Nothing like showing up and trying to get some cred at a National event. I am sure, that had they asked (which they did not) SP to make an appearance, she would have said yes.

This situation is just...awkward.

13 posted on 05/27/2011 1:00:10 PM PDT by ASOC (What are you doing now that Mexico has become OUR Chechnya?)
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To: Gaffer
Screw Rolling Thunder....Apparently they are not ‘rolling with any balls’.....

Apparently you have no idea what they are about.

Say that crap to their faces and you'll get stomped flat.

Has it occurred to you that they may not appreciate someone
wishing to "cash in" on their event at the last minute? Hmmm?

That maybe the addition of the security required for such a person might be a distraction to their goals?

No, you didn't think of that. You just reckon "What SARAH wants, SARAH gets".

Rah, rah, wave those pom-poms.

14 posted on 05/27/2011 1:00:51 PM PDT by humblegunner
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To: Gaffer
"I agree. Screw Rolling Thunder....Apparently they are not ‘rolling with any balls’..... "

Oh for chrissake's people~!! When are you going to LEARN TO STOP KNEE-JERKING AT LIBERAL MEDIA PROPOGANDA

They did not "invite" her because it is not an invitation event- it is non-political

it DOES NOT MEAN she is un-welcome, which is what the author is trying to imply. I hope some bikers take offense to that

15 posted on 05/27/2011 1:04:03 PM PDT by Mr. K (CAPSLOCK! -Unleash the fury! [Palin/Bachman 2012- unbeatable ticket])
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To: ASOC
This situation is just...awkward.

That means she's ^#%@ed.

Ubama never does anything... "awkward."

16 posted on 05/27/2011 1:04:48 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (If Sarah Palin really was unelectable, state-run media would be begging the GOP to nominate her.)
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To: reasonisfaith
I don’t think there’s ever been a more polarizing figure than Sarah Palin.

She's only polarizing because the Left says she's polarizing.

You know, according to that guy Alinsky?

17 posted on 05/27/2011 1:05:46 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: humblegunner

I stand by what I said. If it’s her or them, they go. Carp all you want.


18 posted on 05/27/2011 1:05:58 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: eureka!

Do you have the link handy for that? Maybe we should post a separate thread to dispute this report?


19 posted on 05/27/2011 1:08:30 PM PDT by Outlaw Woman ("...; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee,... "Hosea 4:6)
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To: Mr. K
As a not-announced candidate, she has just as much right, moreso, to meet with real Americans and their followers who WILL appreciate her. If they don't want her, then screw them. And, I would tell them that to their face and likely not get flattened as 'humble' indicates.
20 posted on 05/27/2011 1:09:09 PM PDT by Gaffer
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