Story highlights As the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2008, Palin made a star turn at that year's RNC

Many observers expected her to have a speaking slot in Cleveland

(CNN) It's a long way from Alaska to Ohio -- a bit too long for Sarah Palin, apparently.

The former Alaska governor was a noticeable absence from a partial list of speakers announced to speak at next week's Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner on Thursday, Trump said that Palin was asked to speak, but that the distance ultimately precluded her from making the trip.

"It's a little bit difficult because of where she is," Trump said, referring to Palin's home state of Alaska. "We love Sarah. Little bit difficult because of, you know, it's a long ways away."

As the GOP vice presidential nominee in 2008, Palin made a star turn at that year's RNC in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a speech that had conservatives and pundits gushing.

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