Hillary Runs From Sarah

I wouldn't have thought that Hillary Clinton would be afraid to appear somewhere with Sarah Palin, but apparently she is:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has canceled an appearance at a New York rally next week after organizers blindsided her by inviting Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, aides to the senator said Tuesday.

Several American Jewish groups plan a major rally outside the United Nations on Sept. 22 to protest against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Organizers said Tuesday that both Clinton, who nearly won the Democratic nomination for president, and Palin, Republican candidate John McCain's running mate, are expected to attend.

That would have set up a closely scrutinized and potentially explosive pairing in the midst of a presidential campaign, one in which the New York senator is campaigning for Democratic nominee Barack Obama while Palin actively courts disappointed Clinton supporters.

Clinton aides were furious. They first learned of the plan to have both Clinton and Palin appear when informed by reporters.

"Her attendance was news to us, and this was never billed to us as a partisan political event," said Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines. "Sen. Clinton will therefore not be attending."

Wouldn't the fact that both a Democrat and Republican were invited to attend make this a non-partisan event? Or is it only non-partisan if only Democrats are there?

What this story tells me is Hillary deeply resents the attention that Palin is getting, and is very bitter over her position as "the other woman". She also realizes that appearing with Sarah, even if unintentionally, might send a message that could hurt her plans to run again in 2012.

What's really funny is this is how the SNL routine from last Saturday night opened:

Palin: I was so excited when I was told Sen. Clinton and I would be addressing you tonight.

Clinton: And, I was told I'd be addressing you alone.

UPDATE: The statement from the Palin campaign:

“Governor Palin believes that the danger of a nuclear Iran is greater than party or politics. She hopes that all parties can rally together in opposition to this grave threat.”

Zing.