Hillary Clinton Cancels Appearance At Rally When Told Sarah Palin Would Be Attending

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Hillary Clinton aides tell Fox News Clinton canceled after hearing Sarah Palin would also be attending, saying she didn't want to be seen beside the Republican vice presidential candidate in a "partisan" event.

Event organizers had invited members of both political parties so the event would be non-partisan and hours before Clinton canceled, the Jewish group leading the event had sent out an email stating "We are pleased to inform you that the keynote speakers at the “Stop Iran. Now!” Rally are confirmed to be Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Governor Sarah Palin and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel," according to CNN's Political Ticker.

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

A spokesperson for the John McCain campaign, Tracey Schmitt, responded to the Clinton cancellation with "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."

The rally is being hosted by several Jewish groups, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the National Coalition to Stop Iran Now, United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.

Both McCain and Barack Obama have made strong appeals to Jewish voters, particularly in critical states like Florida. Obama has emphasized to Jewish audiences his commitment to Israel’s security, and has worked to dispel doubts created by false rumors that he is Muslim.

Clinton, a New York senator and former Democratic presidential candidate, has generally been supported by American Jews. But Micah Halperin, a Middle East expert and syndicated columnist, said it is “problematic” that Clinton decided to back out.

Halperin, who stated he believed Hillary Clinton was a "a far better candidate" than Barack Obama for the Democratic ticket, goes on to assert this cancellation may backfire against Democrats.

Halperin states "Jews traditionally vote Democratic, and if a major Democratic leader does not join in the fight against Iran, where are those voters going to go?” he asked. “It’s problematic from the very point of view that says you have a national political leader who fundamentally is choosing not to stand up against Ahmadenijad.

“It changes my view of (Clinton’s) wisdom, of her ability to take a situation, analyze it and come out on the right side, and that is deeply troubling to almost every voter in America, not just Jewish voters.

Juan Williams, who is a National Public Radio correspondent and a FOX News contributor believes Clinton's cancellation is due to her not wanting to alienate female voters by challenging Palin publicly with white, working class women since McCain has received a bump in support from those very voters since naming Palin as his vice presidential running mate.

Whether this was strictly a decision made by Clinton or in conjunction with the Obama campaign is unknown, but it is being attributed to Clinton.