Palin to appear at two events in Charlotte – Jim Morrill – Charlotte Observer

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who never made it to Charlotte during the 2008 presidential campaign, will visit the convention center twice in three weeks.

She’s scheduled to speak May 14 at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting. And On June 4 she’ll headline a dinner with the theme “America, the Greatest Nation.”

At the NRA’s “Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum,” Palin is expected to share a stage with at least two potential 2012 presidential rivals: former Govs. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, and actor Chuck Norris and Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.

Three weeks later, organizers say “An Evening with Sarah Palin” will bring as many as 5,000 people to the Charlotte Convention Center for a $300-a-plate dinner.

“It’s going to be a night about America,” said organizer Eric Jones. “We’re going to talk about what makes America great, our Constitution, our Bill of Rights. She seems to have the heartbeat of a lot of people in our nation right now. We’re not seeking to make this a political event. It’s just about America.”

[...]

On June 5, Palin and former first lady Laura Bush are scheduled to headline a Blue Ridge-sponsored Women’s Expo at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro. About 2,500 women from as far as Michigan and New Jersey are expected for the free event.

An NRA spokeswoman said the group is not paying Palin for her appearance. Jones said Blue Ridge is but declined to say how much. “There’s nothing free,” he said. Part of dinner proceeds go to Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children in Randleman.

READ MORE