Just How Proud is GOProud?

Just when I start to get very, very scared that the Republicans will take over the Senate AND the White House in 2012, this. And I feel better. Much, much better.

Two major conservative groups are sitting out the year's most important conference for their ideological allies--attendance is a near-requirement for GOP presidential contenders--because a gay Republican organization has been invited. Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council are refusing to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference because GOProud will be there, indicating a "movement away from conservative principles," Family Research Council said.

Several other smaller conservative groups have said they'll be skipping CPAC in February since the American Principles Project agitated for a boycott in November, Brian Fitzpatrick reports at WorldNetDaily, which has been the diligent reporter of the story. CPAC is hosted by the American Conservative Union, and the boycotters are also angry about mismanagement of the ACU's finances--chairman David Keene's ex-wife is accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the group. But the boycotters main focus is that the ACU has "gone libertarian," the president of Liberty Council said. Will the boycott hurt Republicans' appeal to independents? Or will it give social conservatives a cause to rally around?

CPAC 2011 is the annual conference of the American Conservative Union, and it is indeed a must stop on the road to Iowa in 2012. Confirmed speakers this year include Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and South Dakota Sen. John Thune. A ton more have been invited – including South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. And of course, (whatever-her-title-is-these-days) Sarah Palin.

Enjoy Sam Seder's piece on the controversy, who by the way did a fabulous job as substitute host of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.



Even within the limited discourse of our two-party system, I generally believe both the Democratic and Republican parties can survive schisms before, during and after Presidential elections. Stuff happens. Folks come together. Wallets open up, and checks are written. People hold their noses before they go into the voting booth.

But, this does not bode well for the (potential) unity of the Republican Party in 2012. In light of the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, it is possible that the prejudiced, homophobia wing of the Republican Party will continue to go off the deep end, and entrench themselves further in the language of hatred. And sorry folks – this will not fly. Heck, even most of my Cuban, Miami-Dade resident relatives and family friends who NEVER, NUNCA in their lives voted once for a Democratic pulled the lever for Obama – and it was because they could not tolerate the hateful words and actions of the Republican Party anymore.

Prejudice. Homophobia. Hatred. Get over it guys – it’s all so 2010. And today is after all, the second day of 2011.