Sarah Palin and Barney Frank Walk Into a Dinner Gala

categories: LGBT Politicians, LGBT Rights and Politics

Published November 07, 2009 @ 08:42AM PT

Talk about an odd couple! Former Alaska Governor and GOP Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin will be joining U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, the longest serving openly LGBT member of Congress, as headliners for the Gridiron Club winter dinner. No word on whether they'll sing a version of "Endless Love" together.

The Gridiron Club's winter dinner is one of those inside-the-Beltway events where journalists cozy up to politicians for a night of self-deprecation. In year's past, Gov. Mitt Romney sang, President (then Senator) Barack Obama said he was more over-exposed than Paris Hilton, and late conservative columnist Robert Novak impersonated Dick Cheney while acting in a sketch spoofing the Scooter Libby investigation -- an investigation Novak essentially launched with a stroke of his pen.

What can you expect from Palin and Frank? Well, for Palin, it helps that the December dinner falls one month after the launch of her book, Going Rogue. Frank, too, has a book that he'll likely draw inspiration from: Barney Frank: The Story of America's Only Left-Handed, Gay, Jewish Congressman. Judging from the titles, I think Barney Frank is going to hit more funny bones.

For the Gridiron Dinner, it's probably a safe bet that this is the first time an LGBT politician has served as a headliner. How interesting that it happens at the same time that Sarah Palin, who prides herself on harshing the mellow of gay rights activists, joins the festivities, too. Politics really does make for strange bedfellows.

(Photo courtesy of www.house.gov)

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Comments (10)

So with the wife of a Neo Nazi in the same room with Frank, who is both gay and jewish, one would wonder who and what Palin will discriminate agiasnt first and what we can all blog about while laughing our asses off. Three cheers for idiots... I am sorry I mean people who "can see russia" from their house.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 11/07/2009 @ 09:35AM PT
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Three cheers for knowing the difference between a newscast and a sketch from "Saturday Night Live"

Chris, you are really going to jump to Goodwins law right off the bat? I mean really most people at least wait a few posts until letting the nazi comparisons fly...

Posted by Seth Piepgrass on 11/08/2009 @ 07:14AM PT
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I think it'll be an interesting fiasco.

I wonder which one will kill the other first? My bet is on Frank.

Seriously though, I wish I could be there.

Posted by Paul Hockhousen on 11/07/2009 @ 10:10AM PT
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Frank is too laid back to hurt anyone... Sarah on the other hand... well she give Annie Oakley a run for her money.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 11/07/2009 @ 10:13AM PT
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Being from Alaska I have to say this.

The best thing that happened to the state of Alaska in 20 years happened the day Sarah took a walk.

If the people of the USA put her into any office they get what they want, and god help them.

Posted by James Brouillette on 11/07/2009 @ 10:23AM PT
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Very interesting thank you for you information. You wouldn't happen to be one of the LGBT that she tried and did strip of state employee benefits would you?

Posted by Chris Marshall on 11/07/2009 @ 01:29PM PT
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Barney Frank and Sarah Palin headlining the Gridiron winter dinner is unusual. Since that dinner is used to make fun of situations like the Scooter Libby investigation, the unusualness of Barney Frank and Sarah Palin headlining the dinner adds to humorousness which will surround the Gridiron winter dinner. In short, the Gridiron winter dinner shouldn't be taken as an event as strictly political. Barney Frank will probably the favorite at the dinner for his long book title.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 11/07/2009 @ 04:02PM PT
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That is unusual. Maybe Barney can persuade Palin to be a Gay rights supporter. That is a far fetched idea but anything is possible. I love all of you and your comments.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 11/07/2009 @ 04:30PM PT
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I just had to laugh about Michael's joke...no word on whether they'll sing "Endless Love" together! LMAO...thanks for the visual.

Posted by Christine Winsor on 11/09/2009 @ 05:19AM PT
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This only goes to show that Palin will go to any lengths for publicity, even if it means being the biggest joke at the dinner, in order to promote her book. Damn McCain for introducing her to the national spotlight. Sooooo sick of seeing her EVERYWHERE!!!

As far as Barney, I have had the pleasure/pain of meeting him on several occasions. I must say, he is quite intelligent and possesses a quick and draw dropping wit. I do think he is trying to lead this country in the right direction. But, on the other hand (and this is where the "pain" comes into play), he is just another arrogant rich politician. I would vote for him again though only because of the lack of other viable candidates pushing for as many social reforms as he does and his arrogance comes in handy when dealing with other nasty politicians.

Posted by Michael Wright on 11/14/2009 @ 08:55AM PT
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Author

Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.