Palin Tea Party Appearance On Hold

Palin Paused: The back and forth, chaos, confusion, conflicting statements, etc., that we've heard over the past 48 hours with the Tea Party of America's "Restoring America" event at the Indianola Balloon Field has taken yet another twist. Becky Beach, the Iowan helping to coordinate Sarah Palin's visit to the state this weekend to headline the tea party event, confirmed Palin's visit is now officially "on hold". Beach told me she expects to know Palin's final plans later today. But she said regardless of whether Palin cancels her tea party appearance, she will still come to Iowa this weekend. Palin will likely either hold an event Friday night or Saturday for supporters with the Organize4Palin movement. Busloads of supporters had planned to come see Palin Saturday, so either way, Palin isn't planning on bailing at the last minute to disappoint those who have traveled across the country to see her.

The tea party event has been marred by problems ever since organizers first announced Monday that former Delaware U.S. Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell would speak before Palin at the event. Then organizers rescinded the invite. One said it was because there really wasn't an open speaking slot. But another had said organizers had received dozens of emails from tea partiers complaining about the O'Donnell addition. But then last night, organizers changed their mind yet again and re-invited O'Donnell. O'Donnell accepted the re-invite. Following all of that, Palin is now trying to figure out whether she still wants to be a part of this. Beach said Palin will still go to New Hampshire Monday for the Tea Party Express event there (that same group is hosting Michele Bachmann in Des Moines tonight).