Some of the country's biggest conservatives will descend upon President Barack Obama's adopted hometown of Chicago this summer -- including three of his former presidential opponents.
The American Conservative Union announced Thursday that former Pennsylvania senator and GOP presidential nominee Rick Santorum will headline the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this year.
“During the Presidential primary, Senator Santorum was an outspoken advocate of reigning in our ever-expanding federal government and ensuring that the Constitutional rights of all Americans are protected,“ ACU Chairman Al Cardenas said in a statement. “We look forward to hosting Senator Santorum as part of our all-star lineup this summer at CPAC Chicago – the Midwest’s premier conservative gathering of 2012.”
Organizers of the annual convention hope the location (Chicago) and timing (six months before the presidential election) will energize conservative voters in the Midwest. Other speakers include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former GOP presidential candidates Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann.
CPAC Chicago 2012 will be held June 8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have also been invited to the convention, but have yet to confirm their attendance,
The location for this year's event was chosen strategically by organizers, according to a news release, which said the ACU wanted to bring "the fight for the future of America directly to President Barack Obama’s backyard."