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More than two dozen Republicans, including 2012 U.S. presidential nominee Mitt Romney, are to speak at the Conservative Political Action Committee convention.
The speaker line-up at CPAC's three-day gathering March 14-16 near Washington includes at least eight potential Republican presidential contenders, including Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, NBC News reported Monday.
Notably absent, though, is New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, also a potential 2016 presidential hopeful. Despite being the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention and having a monster approval rating in his state, CPAC officials told NBC News Christie was not invited.
The blunt-speaking governor irked some on the right with his public support for President Obama's handling of Hurricane Sandy in the runup to the 2012 election.
The appearance before CPAC, considered a plum speaking engagement in the conservative movement, will be Romney's first public speech since his loss in November. In a statement, he said he looks "forward to saying thank you to the many friends and supporters who were instrumental in helping" his campaign.
National Rifle Association Chief Executive Officer Wayne LaPierre and President David Keene are confirmed to speak at the event, and an NRA University is scheduled to educate participants about the organization, the Second Amendment and the gun control debate.
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February 26, 2013 @ 2:51 pm
Good. I’ve enjoyed Christie’s take-charge, cut-the-BS style, but he threw Boehner, his entire party, and conservatism itself under the bus when he screamed victimhood for NJ after Hurricane Sandy. Boehner was right to try to pare the pork-bloated relief package. But, no, for Christie we must set aside all fiscal sanity and do things exactly as we’ve done for years to satisfy his state’s urgent need–the very things that have led to a $16.5 trillion debt.
He stood up loud and proud and said cut entitlements … just not mine.
February 27, 2013 @ 9:12 pm
Amen, and Amen! Let thine ox be gored—not mine!
February 26, 2013 @ 3:06 pm
He’s fun to listen to but he is a flaming RINO and should NOT be invited to any conservative function. He would be more at home at the DNC.
February 26, 2013 @ 3:27 pm
Christie is definitely a RINO. He has become so accustomed to feeding at the federal spending trough that he no longer understands or supports conservative principles.
February 26, 2013 @ 3:50 pm
You guys are calling Christie a RINO because he didn’t spit on Obama when he got near enough. He did what Governors are supposed to do, he brought bucks to his state after a major catastrophe. You need to look at a bigger picture, like how he is running his state. I can’t believe you’re supporting Cryboehner who can’t run the GOP house worth beans. There’s a man who needs to be thrown under a bus. You watch: today or tomorrow Cryboehner will announce a “compromise” to avert sequestration that will be nothing more than another cave-in to the dems.
February 27, 2013 @ 3:24 am
First-this is the craziest website ever for commenting -every time I use it I have to get access to my “comment” box a different way . So far I have had to get it 5 different ways !
About Christie : my first reason for omitting him from CPAC would be because his Repub. Conference keynote speech was so bad. I say it WAS bad and it’s because all he talked about is himself. You’d think he was campaigning for Chris Christie. (Maybe he was ). I know I resented that alot.
It’s a good thing the guy is overweight, because that’s his platform for so much attention. I don’t find his loose-cannon mouth entertaining or admirable in any way. I don’t reject him because he’s fat, but I do wonder how a man like that can have any will-power and still remain so heavy . Maybe some like him , but I don’t like a grandstander ; it’s a poor way of getting votes. Next we will be having heartfelt feelings for a midget candidate.