Sarah Palin, Tony Perkins Back Away from RNC After Topless Nightclub Incident

Updated at 12:20 p.m. ET.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins are the latest prominent conservatives to distance themselves from the Republican National Committee in the wake of revelations the group spent nearly $2,000 at a topless, bondage-themed nightclub.

"This latest incident is another indication to me that the RNC is completely tone-deaf to the values and concerns of a large number of people from whom they seek financial support," Perkins wrote in his most recent "Washington Update" newsletter. "I've hinted at this before, but now I am saying it--don't give money to the RNC. If you want to put money into the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values."

Perkins, a major figure among Christian conservatives, also chastised the RNC for hiring prominent lawyer Ted Olson to represent the committee in a campaign finance case. Perkins is critical of the decision because Olson is one of the lawyers fighting to overturn Proposition 8 in California (the ballot initiative that banned gay marriage).

Meanwhile, Palin has asked the RNC to stop advertising that she will attend a RNC fundraiser at the upcoming Southern Republican Leadership Conference, according to Politico. An invitation for the event lists Palin, as well as Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, as "invited speakers."

Palin "will not take part in any RNC fundraiser in New Orleans" during the SRLC, an aide told Politico, though it is unclear whether her decision is tied to the nightclub incident.

The RNC's spending gaffe has prompted other high-profile conservatives to speak out against the group, including prominent GOP donor Mark DeMoss who said on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged" yesterday that the RNC "squandered... a moral authority" by spending money inappropriately.

When the news first broke of the expenditure at the topless nightclub, Penny Nance, president of the conservative public policy group Concerned Women for America, released a statement saying, "This kind of behavior is not appropriate for national leaders that our children should be able to look up to as role models, and that our daughters could be working for."

Some analysts say that the incident, coupled with other recent RNC missteps, could hurt the RNC's fundraising.

"It's seen as a reflection of an organization that's not being run well," Dan Schnur, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC and a former Republican political operative, told Hotsheet.

UPDATE: Meanwhile, the RNC will soon have to compete for donations with a new group called American Crossroads, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The group aims to raise $52 million from wealthy Republicans and corporations for an independent campaign to help GOP candidates this November. The organization is spearheaded by former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan and former RNC co-chair Joanne Davidson, while former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie and former White House adviser Karl Rove are serving as informal advisers.

Correction: This story was updated to note that Haley Barbour is the current governor of Mississippi, not the former governor.

[hillarynow]

GOP SELF DESTRUCT MODE COMMENCING IN -- T- Minus 10....9....8....7....6....5....4....3....2....1 KABOOM!

meltdown complete.

[thebob-bob]

It's too late Tony. Now that you helped Republicans get the pro-corporate Catholics on the Supreme Court, they don't need you or your money anymore.

The SCOTUS has endowed Corporations with all the rights and freedoms of flesh and blood human beings. They now have the unfettered 'freedom of speech' that all human citizens of the USA have and, as a result, can donate as much money as they like to campaigns. Passing the bucket at church can't compete with the political contributions of a Major Corporation.

Good job, you were used. Why don't you and your soiled 'Family Values' selves go get cleaned up. Thanks again for the 'good time'.

[queenofclubs]

The "divine" Mrs. Palin is proving once again what an absolute QUITTER and loser she truly is. Does she not know that it rains on the evil and the just in the same way? First, she can't handle being a governor, now she can't stand the pressure of the scandal within the political party she absolutely IDOLIZED...and demands to be taken off their list...basically coming off like she's jumping off like rats leaving a sinking ship...and she still thinks she has the right stuff to be the Chief Executive? Highly laughable!

[OldProfessor]

Yes sir!! You Got it right. But I do not think my Republican friends would listen to you.

[Confidential416]

Oh man..lol You just can't make this stuff up when it comes to the party of family values...... The GOP has always preyed upon the christian conservatives.They reel them in with all the right words and behind their backs they are anything but traditional valuest. And each time the christian conservatives forgive their wayward GOP - turn the other cheek and listen to the lies they continue to feed them in order to keep their vote.... will they never learn that at least with a liberal - we call a spade a spade - you may not like the truth but it is the truth. With the GOP you can only count on one thing - it is never the truth.

[quietfireII]

"by AOCGUY April 1, 2010 12:49 PM EDT
The Dems need to be cautious with this issue as I'm fairly sure they have plenty of skeletons in their closet as well."

Always trying to get a jab in at the winning party...what a loser!

[4merGOPr]

My screen name says it all. These Republicans are so hipocrates. Palins a putz, Steele is stupid, Boener is a bum, and McConnels a moron.

[AOCGUY]

I left the GOP years ago after they drifted away from what I belived were important core values. Since then it has become apparent to me that both parties are more interested in attaining/maintaining power than representing Americans. I have no doubt that many if not most politicians really do care about their constituants, but are forced to cowtow to party leadership (unelected by the citizenry) instead of fighting for what the contituants want back home.

The Dems need to be cautious with this issue as I'm fairly sure they have plenty of skeletons in their closet as well. Kinda like the pot calling the kettle black. Let the GOP clean their own house, in the meantime, Dems make sure your house is in order too. Arogance and stupidity has consequences come election time for both parties.

[jxknowles]

Nice comment. I like to think of myself as an Independent, but obviously lean to left these days. Yet, there are many Republicans I still respect and would support in a general election (Fiscal conservatism and getting back to balanced budgets are my biggest concerns).

It used to be you could draw the best people from both parties, fall in the middle, but still get things done. I quit donating to either party, but still contribute to individual campaigns. Need to get rid of the political machines and start having people respresent their constituents.

[tonyatq]

I agree with you.

[my_head_hurts]

As a life long Republican I quit giving money to the RNC 4 years ago when it became apparent that as a party they were no more responsible with money than the Democrats. This is just the latest example of profligate spending by our "elected leaders" and their complete lack of connection to the American people. Since the recession started our illustrious leaders in Congress have increased their budgets by 16%. That is 16% when the best private sector jobs were holding even. They tried to increase the spending on new private jet aircraft 50% above and beyond what the Pentagon asked for to replace their previous jets. They have taken increasingly expensive "fact finding missions", accompanied by their wives, all over the world. The recent dust up of our fearless leaders going to Ireland for a conflab and spending their per diem allowance for food on liquor because the host country fed them.

Those inside the Belt Way have appropriated themselves a life of luxury and debauchery at the countries expense. Any body who isn't disgusted with both parties is a fool.

[johndevinejr]

The RNC's spending gaffe has prompted other high-profile conservatives to speak out against the group, including prominent GOP donor Mark DeMoss who said on CBSNews.com's "Washington Unplugged" yesterday that the RNC "squandered... a moral authority" by spending money inappropriately.

The only people that believe that republicans are in any way MORAL are republicans. Everyone else knows them for the hypocrites they are and have always been.