Palin says ‘not now’ to Iowa invite

An Iowa social conservative group said Friday that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin declined its invitation to headline a fall fundraiser in Iowa next month, but noted the Republican’s desire to address members another time.

Palin, mentioned as a potential 2012 presidential prospect, turned down the offer to make what would be her first appearance since last year’s election in the leadoff presidential caucus state, citing her long-planned national tour to promote her memoir.

“We extended our invitation knowing she would be in the middle of her book tour and the chances of her being able to accept any invitations were extremely slim,” policy center spokesman Bryan English said in a news release.

That was not the optimistic tone the group’s chairman, former state Rep. Danny Carroll, expressed on Wednesday. Carroll said he thought Palin would accept and that only a few details needed to be worked out before she could be confirmed.

In the meantime, some Iowa Republican activists had complained the policy center and a pro-Palin group based in Washington, D.C. were raising money for her to attend the fundraiser.

Hmm.