Conservative Stupidity

Conservatives like to make things difficult for themselves at times.  The upcoming CPAC convention is no exception.  The "American Principles Project" (APP) has their britches in a knot because Gov. Mitch Daniels is being invited to speak along with a few conservatives in favour of gay marriage.

Now, for the record I would consider myself socially conservative as well as fiscally conservative.  But conservatives should welcome differing points of view in order to be a Big Tent.  This doesn't mean that you have to accept every RINO like David Frum and David Brooks, but you have to accept that an someone who agrees with you 80% of the time is an ally, not a 20% enemy.

I'm a big fan of Gov. Mitch Daniels and the great things he's done in Indiana. To APP, his cardinal sin is saying that a "truce" should be called on social issues for now.  I have to agree with him despite my abhorrence of abortion rates and other social issues afflicting the west at present.  nevertheless, the biggest issue facing the US is massive deficits and debt that threaten the republic's very existence.  The APP won't be defending much socially speaking if the USA can't pay its bills.

Others skipping CPAC are Among the influential conservative groups planning to skip this year's event: The Heritage Foundation, Tony Perkins' Family Research Council, Brent Bozell's Media Research Center, and Concerned Women for America.


Other speakers at CPAC will include: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Sen. John Thune, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Rep. Ron Paul.  A big tent indeed.  Let's hope the APP et al can see the forest for the trees.