Hillary Clinton Pulls Out of Rally as Sarah Palin Scheduled to Speak

In politics, partisan literally means organized into political parties. The expression "Partisan politics" usually refers to fervent, sometimes militant support of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea. Although this is typically an appellation with negative connotations, some supporters embrace the term, as can be seen by the names of the following publications:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin  is coming to New York next week to carry John McCain's flag at a pro-Israel, anti-Iran rally. But she won't be sharing the stage with Sen. Hillary Clinton, who backed away from the event after learning Palin was coming.

"Her attendance was news to us," Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines said last night. "Clearly there was some miscommunication because this was never billed to us as a partisan political event. Sen. Clinton will therefore not be attending this event."

The Jewish group's Web site listed Clinton, Palin, Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel and Iranian dissidents as speakers at the midday rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza off First Ave., which Hoenlein said will protest the expected UN appearance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as "a state sponsor of terrorism."

Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin plan to appear next week at the same rally in New York City –  perhaps the closest the two history-making women will be to each other before Election Day.

The rally Monday is billed as a protest against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presence at the opening of the U.N. General Assembly. Palin also is expected to meet next week with foreign leaders at the United Nations, The Wall Street Journal reported, in a move to boost her foreign policy credentials.

The event is sponsored by the National Coalition to Stop Iran Now, as well as several Jewish advocacy organizations.

Stop Iran. Now!

September 05, 2008

The big powers are going down…a world without America and Israel is both possible and feasible
— Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran

Ahmadinejad is coming to the U.N. to spread his message of “holy hatred” against The United States, Israel, Women’s Rights, Religious and Other Minorities.

Stand united in the face of nuclear threats and human rights abuses.

Rally to Stop Iran. Now!

Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
(Across from the United Nations)
Monday, September 22nd
11:45 am, rain or shine, 2nd Avenue at 47th Street (Subways: 4, 5, 6, or 7 to Grand Central Station)

To show you what a sucker I am, I was all set to praise her this morning after the first stories came out last night for putting partisanship aside in the interests of a worthy international cause. Much like, oh, John McCain speaking next week at the Clinton Global Initiative.

Like I say, I’m a sucker.

“We are pleased to inform you that the keynote speakers at the “Stop Iran. Now!” Rally are confirmed to be Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Governor Sarah Palin and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel,” read an e-mail from a leader of a Jewish group planning the event.

But the curtain came down on the comedy sketch-turned-reality before the duo ever hit the stage: Clinton officials soon said they had not been told Palin would be on hand — and that her presence, which made the event a political one, would mean the absence of the New York senator.

The McCain-Palin campaign has not yet said whether Palin herself will still be attending the event, but released a statement criticizing Clinton’s withdrawal. “Governor Palin believes that the danger of a nuclear Iran is greater than party or politics,” said spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt. “She hopes that all parties can rally together in opposition to this grave threat.”