Gov. Sarah Palin has joined the National Council for a New America, which was created to re-brand the image of the Republican Party.

The group launched a listening tour Saturday. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., held a town-hall-style meeting in Arlington, Va., where they heard about people's concerns on issues from the economy and health care to the rising costs of college tuition.

The council, which plans listening sessions in other cities, also includes Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Palin is not participating in the listening tour and has nothing scheduled with the group, Palin's spokeswoman, Meg Stapleton, told the Daily News.

"If there is something that she can do that benefits Alaskans or Alaska or allows her to keep Alaskans first, she'll participate," Stapleton said.

Stapleton said in an e-mail to The Associated Press that Palin "is focused on moving Alaska forward and pushing for her goals, which include providing energy independence and security for Alaskans and Americans."