Gotta Get Away

(Fox News) - House Republicans spent the weekend about four hours outside Washington at their annual retreat.

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was invited to attend, but retreat organizers tell ABC News the former VP nominee politely declined because she told them pressing state business made it impossible for her to leave Alaska. However, Palin did leave Alaska to come to Washington for political dinners Friday and Saturday night.

"She lied to us," said a Republican at the retreat. Palin's spokesman says she hadn't scheduled any partisan events for her weekend trip. When asked about Palin’s absence, House Minority Leader John Boehner shrugged and replied, "Whatever."