Palin will raise cash for the RNC next month

The Upshot

Sarah Palin will use her celebrity to help raise funds for the Republican National Committee next month.

The former Alaska governor will appear with embattled RNC Chairman Michael Steele at two fundraising rallies: Oct. 16 in Anaheim, Calif., and Oct. 23 in Orlando, Fla.

According to a copy of the invitation obtained by CNN's Peter Hamby and Paul Steinhauser, the cost of admission ranges from $25 for people who want to simply attend the rally to $30,400 for access to a private reception with Palin, Steele and other GOP leaders. A $1,000 donation will get you a photo with Palin and a "commemorative copy" of her new book, "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag."

The move comes as Palin openly considers a run for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Until recently, Palin had avoided courting donors for the national party — dodging invites to Washington fundraisers including a joint House and Senate GOP dinner last year. But in August, Palin allowed her name to be used in a RNC fundraising appeal -- a sign that she may be trying to make nice with GOP leaders in Washington ahead of a 2012 run.

Palin's appearance couldn't come at a better time for the GOP. The RNC has struggled to come up with funds to pay for the party's final 2010 push. This week, the RNC confirmed it would dial back on a key part of its "get out of the vote" strategy in the final weeks of the campaign by not sending staffers to knock on doors and make voter contacts in key battleground districts.

A big question: Who will show up to appear on stage with Palin? Palin endorsed California GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina months ago -- but the former Hewlett-Packard chief has dodged questions about whether she'd like to campaign with Palin, whose appeal among critical independent voters is exceedingly narrow, in the final push of the campaign.

In Florida, GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio didn't officially get the Palin nod, but she has talked up his candidacy. Lately, however, Rubio has tried to move toward the middle in his general-election push in hopes of knocking off Charlie Crist's support among moderates and independents.

(Photo of Palin: Ed Reinke/AP)