Sarah Palin Called GOP Leaders Before Quitting
Alaska Governor called Dick Cheney, Rudy Giuliani in weeks before stepping down.
July 6, 2009— -- In the weeks before Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin announced her resignation, she spoke privately with a range of prominent Republican officials – including former Vice President Dick Cheney and former mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
It's not clear, from records or interviews, who may have been courting who, and none of the men have made comments suggesting Palin hinted at any future plans. But the calls underscore Palin's position among prominent Republicans.
This May, documents indicate, Palin called former Vice President Dick Cheney; former New York City mayor and GOP presidential primary contender Rudolph Giuliani; and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is often mentioned as a GOP presidential candidate for 2012.
The governor's spokesman declined to comment on the calls. "I work for the State of Alaska," said spokesman David Murrow. "I don't coordinate or participate in her political life. I only handle official state business." He referred inquiries to Palin's political action committee, Sarah PAC. The group did not respond with comment for this story.
Palin's phone calls are shown on her official schedule for May 2009, obtained by Alaskan Andree McLeod through an open-records request with the state and shared with ABC News. McLeod has filed numerous open-records requests for Palin-related documents, as well as four ethics complaints against the governor and her aides.
Click here to see Palin's schedule.
Palin Called Florida Governor Charlie Crist
"GOV: Telephone Call Into Governor Crist," reads a May 4 entry in Palin's schedule. A spokeswoman for Crist said she did not know who had initiated contact, or what the subject of conversation was to have been, but the two did not speak. "It was a courtesy call. They know each other, both being governors," said Crist spokeswoman Erin Isaac.
Crist may have had his own reasons to chat with Palin: to promote his candidacy for U.S. Senate, which Crist launched one week after Palin's phone call. Nine days later, Crist announced an endorsement by Sen. John McCain, Palin's 2008 GOP ticket-topper.
On May 7, the document shows, Palin spoke with former vice president Dick Cheney from an airport in Fairbanks, during a brief refueling stop on her way to survey flood damage in the northeastern part of the state. Cheney spokeswoman Lucy Tutwiler would only confirm that the two discussed a possible summer vacation to Alaska by the Cheneys. She would not confirm whether the Cheneys went to Alaska or were still planning to go, or any other details regarding the conversation.
Sarah Palin's Schedule Before Quitting
On May 8, Palin's schedule reads, "GOV: Telephone Call w/Former Mayor Giuliani (JNU)," the last letters apparently indicating she called from Juneau. Four days later, Palin tried to speak with Giuliani again – at his prompting, the document reflects. "GOV: Tried to return requested call to Mayor Giuliani (JNU)."
According to Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella, the ex-mayor reached out to Palin regarding an upcoming trip to Alaska to deliver a paid speech. "As I understand it, the two of them never connected on the phone," Comella wrote in an email to ABC News. The meeting never occurred, she said, although Giuliani delivered his speech – a motivational address, part of the "Get Motivated!" seminar series – in Anchorage June 10.
In June, the Palins visited New York and joined the Giulianis for a Yankees game, Comella noted. She did not say whether Giuliani had picked up any indication of Palin's plans during his dealings with her.
Rick Klein contributed to this story. This story has been updated.
Click Here for the Blotter Homepage.
"GOV: Telephone Call Into Governor Crist," reads a May 4 entry in Palin's schedule. A spokeswoman for Crist said she did not know who had initiated contact, or what the subject of conversation was to have been, but the two did not speak. "It was a courtesy call. They know each other, both being governors," said Crist spokeswoman Erin Isaac.
Crist may have had his own reasons to chat with Palin: to promote his candidacy for U.S. Senate, which Crist launched one week after Palin's phone call. Nine days later, Crist announced an endorsement by Sen. John McCain, Palin's 2008 GOP ticket-topper.
On May 7, the document shows, Palin spoke with former vice president Dick Cheney from an airport in Fairbanks, during a brief refueling stop on her way to survey flood damage in the northeastern part of the state. Cheney spokeswoman Lucy Tutwiler would only confirm that the two discussed a possible summer vacation to Alaska by the Cheneys. She would not confirm whether the Cheneys went to Alaska or were still planning to go, or any other details regarding the conversation.
Sarah Palin's Schedule Before Quitting
On May 8, Palin's schedule reads, "GOV: Telephone Call w/Former Mayor Giuliani (JNU)," the last letters apparently indicating she called from Juneau. Four days later, Palin tried to speak with Giuliani again – at his prompting, the document reflects. "GOV: Tried to return requested call to Mayor Giuliani (JNU)."
According to Giuliani spokeswoman Maria Comella, the ex-mayor reached out to Palin regarding an upcoming trip to Alaska to deliver a paid speech. "As I understand it, the two of them never connected on the phone," Comella wrote in an email to ABC News. The meeting never occurred, she said, although Giuliani delivered his speech – a motivational address, part of the "Get Motivated!" seminar series – in Anchorage June 10.
In June, the Palins visited New York and joined the Giulianis for a Yankees game, Comella noted. She did not say whether Giuliani had picked up any indication of Palin's plans during his dealings with her.
Rick Klein contributed to this story. This story has been updated.