Jim DeMint, Chris Christie Skipping CPAC 2011

One invitation has been followed by a lot of rejection for the Conservative Political Action Conference.

After event organizers decided to allow GOProud, a gay Republican group, to be a "participating organization" for a second straight year, social conservative organizations like the Family Research Council and Concerned Women for America decided they wouldn't be coming out. Ditto for the Heritage Foundation and the American Family Association. Now, two more leading conservatives have announced they're going to skip March's festivities.

"With leading conservatives organizations not participating this year, Senator [Jim] DeMint will not be attending. He hopes to attend a unified CPAC next year," a spokesman for the South Carolina Republican told CNN.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also declined an invite, but his spokesman wouldn't elaborate. "I can only tell you that the governor receives hundreds of speaking and appearance invitations every month, many of which are declined for a number of reasons," Michael Drewniak told The Star-Ledger via e-mail.

DeMint was listed as an invited speaker on the CPAC website, which currently has confirmations from Haley Barbour, Newt Gingrich, Andrew Breitbart, Ann Coulter, Liz Cheney, Mitch McConnell, and a number of other Governors, Senators and U.S. Representatives.

Comments

[Contact1972]

08:49 PM on 02/13/2011

Where is this mythical 'big tent' I keep hearing about from the GOTP?

[MilesLong]

04:04 PM on 02/13/2011

The stance of leading Republicans and their core groups isn't what's the most problematic and disappointing about this issue. It's the question that has always vexed me: how can gay's, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people work for and support the efforts of the Republican Party?

How much self-loathing will a member of the LGBT community endure in the name of a job, or merely to be brushing up against the trappings of power? Power, mind you, used to oppress the LGBT community in the name of achieving/retaining political power over the more enlightened citizens of this country who work toward equality for all.

I don't understand it.

Miles "Burning Question" Long

[LittleMs Random]

09:30 AM on 02/13/2011

No big loss there. All those paranoid, backwards thinking groups are better off far from the public eye.

[camelias and sweet tea]

08:31 AM on 02/13/2011

Jimmy did not know whether to attend or not, kinda trying to follow the lead of Ms. Tundra, CPAC must not have been TeaParty enough. Yeah, Yeah, I know Michelle did attend but she will go anywhere for attention.

[ChicagoDMT]

01:21 AM on 02/13/2011

I had a friend whose husband came home one day and told her the he didn't love her anymore. He wanted a divorce. She talked him into going to marriage counseling.

A year later she walks into the therapist's office and unloaded on the therapist. "My husband and I have been coming to you for a year, and you haven't helped at all. Our marriage has gotten worse over that time." The therapist looked at her and said "Every week for the past year you and your husband come to my office, and every week your husband tells you that he doesn't love you. Exactly what is it that you expect me to do?"

A week later, my friend filed for divorce.

Perhaps it's time for gay republicans to take a hint. The GOP doesn't love you.

[Contact1972]

08:54 PM on 02/13/2011

Perhaps it's time for gay republican­s to take a hint. The GOP doesn't love you.
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You are completely correct. However, the gay republicans(what an oxymoron that is to begin with)are so self loathing, so desperately wanting the respect of the GOTP, they will never leave. I truly feel sad for them....to live with so much self hatred.

[henrypapillon]

11:57 PM on 02/12/2011

Ah, so much for THE  BIG TENT THEORY of the Regressive Party.

[paddy523]

09:29 PM on 02/12/2011

as a misgendered lesbian myself, would someone please explain how you can be gay and a republican????? really, what's their slogan? "down with us" or "out and not proud"??

[henrypapillon]

11:59 PM on 02/12/2011

Have you ever taken a psychology course and read about,sadism and masochism and sado-masochism? It is all about the need to be misused and those who feel the need to abuse others and their symbiotic relationship.

[SPacific]

03:25 AM on 02/13/2011

Bottom Line? They are just plain ignorant.........

[choco1996]

02:13 PM on 02/12/2011

all these guys seem to have a problem with homophobia....make's you wonder if thou protest too much....why are they so fearful of other americans expressing their views, why are they so fearful of other americans enjoying the same rights...make you wonder are they self loathers or just projecting their own feelings on others

[jalowe1957]

11:51 AM on 02/12/2011

CPAC: A neo-Nazi breeding ring producing goose-stepping, brown-shirted ideological Lebesborn.

[brandonslayton]

02:38 AM on 02/12/2011

This makes me a combination of angry and really sad. I don't know much about Jim Demint, but I do know he doesn't want to raise the debt ceiling and expresses the need to cut spending. I agree with him on those issues.

To skip CPAC because another group of limited government, conservative REPUBLICANS are attending is complete madness. Jim Demint will not be President if his ignorance to those who are different is that dense.

[littleolwinemakerme]

05:42 PM on 02/12/2011

DeMint can't be President because he's a dope.

[Fattonecat]

11:50 PM on 02/12/2011

I second that! A great white DOPE!

[Skeetshooter]

12:02 AM on 02/12/2011

The only thing big about the GOP is their BIGotry. It's a wonderful irony that this petty delusional backbiting among the most privileged in the most privileged nation on earth is completely overshadowed by the sincerity of the Egyptian revolution. This is a day to savour.

[chaya]

07:43 PM on 02/11/2011

Why do gays join the Republican Party?

I can only imagine it is because they belong there; because like other GOP members, they feel so much fear, paranoia, and hate that the GOP seems like the right place for them. If you believe that your world is about to be destroyed by evil communists who have infiltrated your government and schools, or that Sharia Law is about to be imposed in your state, you could easily lose sight of the fact that Republicans fear and hate you just as much. Especially when--they spend so much of their time telling you that they have nothing against gays and some of their best friends are gay.

Easy to miss the truth: that once your back is turned, the knife will slip between your ribs.

[Skeetshooter]

12:04 AM on 02/12/2011

For the same reason blacks and hispanics do; self loathing, a desperate desire to please the powerful, and denial. Never underestimate the power of denial, which as of today is no longer a river in Egypt.

[jferg61]

03:54 PM on 02/12/2011

Lets not forget the big G word too! The power of GEED will make people associate with the devil if they see some idea of enrichment!

[Contact1972]

09:05 PM on 02/13/2011

For the same reason blacks and hispanics do; self loathing
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Ab so lute ly!

[jcinco]

06:45 PM on 02/11/2011

weight and ego wise that was a tremendous loss for cpackers.

[zdeedle]

06:36 PM on 02/11/2011

clearly the "big names" think it's contagious.

[Dave A]

09:57 PM on 01/29/2011

I just took a look at the schedule of events
http://www.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/SCHEDULE-OF-EVENTS-MASTER-1-29-11-WEBSITE.pdf
I can't decide which one makes the vomit come up to my throat the most
The Ground Zero Mosque: The Second Wave of the 9/11 Attacks
Are We Superman? Using School Choice and Home Schools to Grow the Conservative Movement
Will Immigration Kill the GOP?
How Political Correctness is Harming America’s Military
Bleeding America Dry: The Threat of Public Sector Unions
The Sharia Challenge in the West

[johndtuttle]

05:04 PM on 02/11/2011

/x2 vomit

[jcinco]

06:46 PM on 02/11/2011

projectilevomit.

[jferg61]

03:56 PM on 02/12/2011

NO surprises here!