John Ziegler: Why Sarah Palin's Lead on CPAC Should be Followed

conservatives4palin ^ | 01/08/10 | Joshua Livestro

[American Dream 246]

John Ziegler posted an editorial on his website highlighting Gov. Palin's decision not to accept an invitation to attend this year's CPAC conference (see yesterday's excellent post by TR and Doug for more on the background to this decision). You may remember that Ziegler confronted David Keene about his anything-but-conservative record as ACU chairman during last year's WCPAC conference, leading him to conclude that

[T]he vast majority of the conservative “movement” is “led” by fakes, flakes, freaks, frauds, phonies and sell outs who are far more interested in protecting their own little thiefdoms than promoting the cause.

It seems Gov. Palin agrees with this conclusion:

Palin is declining an invitation to address the Conservative Political Action Conference next month because, a source said, she does not want to be affiliated with the longtime organizer of the traditional movement confab.

At issue is the role of David Keene, head of the American Conservative Union which organizes CPAC. In September, POLITICO reported that Keene asked FedEx for between $2 million and $3 million to get the group's support in a bitter legislative battle with rival UPS.

A source close to the Palin camp says that request led to a decision to stay away from the upcoming CPAC conference, calling it a forum that will place "special interests over core beliefs" and "pocketbook over policy."

Ziegler praises Gov. Palin's leadership on this issue, and is calling on others to follow her example:

The main reason that Keene has gotten away with his shenanigans (at least until now) is that members of the conservative media are essentially bought off. Sadly and pathetically, it seems almost no one (expect maybe me) has been willing to give up a position on a panel or an invite to a party in order to expose the inherently corrupt nature of CPAC.

Sarah Palin is now finally the first prominent conservative to stand up and say, “no more!” to the (very) old boys network at work here. She should be applauded, but more importantly her lead should be followed. The conservative movement deserves so much better than what CPAC has become. Please consider spending your time and money elsewhere. Trust me, you won’t miss much and the movement will be better for it.

Read the whole thing here.

Exit question: CPAC stands to lose its credibility as a conservative grassroots venue if it doesn't do anything to mend fences with "The People's Governor". How long before the managing associate of the Carmen Lobbying Group is removed as ACU chairman?

[Servant of the Cross]

GOPride is another good reason for a CPAC boycott.

[NoRedTape]

Hey, but the Mittster will be there!!!

[Bob J]

Sarah’s decision was not based on the red herrng “UPS” issue but the co-sponsorship of the Log Cabin Republicans. Sarah won’t be seen in the same hotel as homosexuals.

I know because a “source close to Palin” told me so.

[sarah fan UK]

Better get a new source Bob. If you read or listen to her book you will learn that one of her college friends is gay. So does that mean she wouldn’t be seen in the same hotel/town/street as her friend?