Posted on 02/03/2011 12:27:59 PM PST by onyx
The news that Sarah Palin won’t be attending CPAC next week doesn’t come as much surprise. For those keeping score, she’s now been invited three times — and said no thanks each time.
A Palin aide did not immediately return a request to explain why, but her reasoning is pretty evident.
A Palin source bashed CPAC and its leader David Keene in an interview last year with POLITICO announcing that the former governor wouldn’t be attending – even though CPAC had listed her as an invited guest for the second year in a row. The source called the annual gathering an example "special interests over core beliefs" and "pocketbook over policy."
"That's not what CPAC should be about and people are tiring," the source said. "Palin is taking a stance against this just as she did in Alaska."
The criticism of CPAC was fueled by a report that David Keene, president of the American Conservative Union, had asked FedEx for between $2 million and $3 million to get the group's support in a bitter battle on Capitol Hill with rival UPS. This was not the first reported allegation of Keene selling his influence with the conservative base, and is a large part of the reason why the ACU and its annual conference have waned in influence over the years.
The previous year, Palin’s camp and CPAC feuded over them listing her as a speaker at the conference despite the fact that she had not confirmed.
And Keene fueled the squabble between the two camps two years ago, when he told Newsmax that Palin was “whining” about negative press coverage.
Add the personal drama to the fact that several other conservatives – including Jim DeMint and Marco Rubio – are skipping the conference this year, and it’s pretty clear that Palin showing up was never in the cards.
“FWIW, I much prefer that anti-Sarah folks not be mentioned or pinged at all.”
I agree with that ... can’t imagine why you would want them around, but if you ARE talking about them, they should be notified. Just my opinion.
Also from that link:
While Palin was turning down CPAC, she accepted an invitation to the Southern Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this April.
"I'm looking forward to addressing conservative activists from across the south at the 2010 Southern Republican Leadership Conference," Palin said in a statement announcing her attendance. "This is a great opportunity to listen and speak to those who are helping to set the direction of our party."
While Palin has received hefty payments for other speeches, her appearance at the SRLC will not be paid.
Keane didn't learn from last year....LOL.
You’re right. That’s FR’s courtesy!
It’s too bad that the Catholics have taken CINO because Conservative In Name Only also applies here.
"Conservatives like her, but you've got to have more than that," Keene told the outlet. "You've got to be more than a rock star. If in fact she's interested in the presidency, she has got to establish herself as someone you can envision in the Oval Office. And it's become more difficult to envision than it was at the time of the election."
In other words, Keene is saying Palin needs to sell out in order to appear presidential. Isn't that what many of her detractors here believe as well? The reason they can't envision Sarah as president is only because they lack vision in the first place. They cannot think themselves outside the box of "politics as usual". Thank God there are many of us who do.
>>> There is no C in CPAC..............
<<<
So that would make it the Progressive Action Committee
CPAC doesn’t represent conservative values...its a place where the establishment posers can hide in plain sight.
Oh yes there is! It stands for CRAP!
Incidentally, I got a phone call from the Pennsylvania Republican Party Headquarters today, asking if they could count on me for the customary minimum of $100, which I have NOT contributed to them since Bob Dole graced the whistlestop tour. I told them the Republican Party would not get a cent from me as long as they are fielding hack candidates like Mitt Romney, et al; and then I hung up!
Haven’t they floated this ‘snub’ every year for the last few, just to try to make Sarah look bad?
Keene is crud!
Thanks for holding firm Sarah.
Years ago CPAC was IT...it is so dead now, just a bunch of trust fund squishy youth running around..selling their straw poll vote to the candidate that will buy them the most drinks..
Yup, you nailed it, I graduated in 2008, and that is exactly what it is.
>> “There is no C in CPAC” <<
.
The “C” in CPAC stands for Crud and Corruption.
They are an enemy of freedom that cloaks themselves in the red white and blue while bending over for the pinkos...
[This kind of thing strikes me as petty and CS. ]
CS is the flak I’m getting for pointing out the obvious lack of symmetry.
ACU has always been like the “Better Business Bureau” for RINOs.
Just like all the crooked businesses have a BBB plaque displayed, the RINO elite gather at the ACU.
>> “What snubbing?” <<
.
When you sleep with dogs, you get fleas. - Sarah doesn’t need any fleas.
Keene is definitely a Butt Boy.
>> “In other words, Keene is saying Palin needs to sell out in order to appear presidential.” <<
.
Yes, that is exactly the message; if she won’t roll in the mud with them, she’s not fit to be president.
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