Palin and JJ Spoiler

Sarah Surprise: O.K, be honest. Did you really think Sarah Palin would be coming back to Iowa so soon? She skipped the Iowa State Fair. Maybe she didn't need to come there to soak up some Iowa lovin' like the lesser-knowns, Tim Pawlenty or Rick Santorum, did. But after a year of trying, the Republican Party of Iowa landed Palin as the featured guest for its annual fundraiser, The Reagan dinner next month. Freedom is the theme. Wanna bet we hear Palin say that word a few (dozen) times? Palin would seem to be just about the party's "biggest get". Chairman Matt Strawn didn't want to make a prediction about how many seats would sell. But he did say the visit could be a signal that Palin is now paying attention to Iowa and she is here for the whole party and not just endorsing one candidate in a particular race. Here are the particulars:

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.

Spoiler Alert: The Iowa Democratic Party kept us guessing with the choice to head its fall fundraiser, the Jefferson Jackson Days Dinner. The party officially announces the guest tomorrow. But it has been sending out clues on Twitter for days. Pretty clever, huh? We figured it out, did you? I'll write who the guest in a bit. If you really want to be surprised, then quit reading:) Here were the clues:

■This year’s JJ speaker was born in New York City in the mid 20th century.
■This year’s speaker has never attended or spoken at our Jefferson Jackson Dinner.
■This person made a cameo appearance on-screen in a blockbuster hit of the 90s.
■This year’s keynote speaker is an avid sports fan.
■This year’s speaker is NOT Rudy Giuliani. Seriously. More than one person guessing is more than one person too many.
■This year’s speaker has never worked for Saturday Night Live.
■This person is married with one son.
■This person served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.
■This person has held local, statewide and national office in their public career.
■This person endorsed Hillary Clinton in her bid for President in 2008.
■This person is married to a federal judge.

O.K., maybe this will help:

He is Pennsylvania's Governor Ed Rendell. In case you didn't remember his movie cameo, he played the mayor in Tom Hanks' movie, "Philadelphia". (I'm trying to find a clip of it on-line, but I haven't found one yet:)