Wire Story
Convention offers something for every conservative
By Logan C. Adams
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
WASHINGTON - Look at a few bumper stickers, and there’s no mistaking the politics of this convention.
Says one: “Ted Kennedy’s car has killed more people than my gun.” And another: “Forget 911 Dial .357.” Also available for purchase from the booth of Accuracy in Media, President Bush-bobbleheads, books by Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity and ties decorated in your choice of elephants, the stars and stripes, or the Confederate flag.
The 2005 Conservative Political Action Conference, sponsored by the American Conservative Union, began three days of events Thursday, appropriately, in the Ronald Reagan Building.
The building’s Atrium Hall was packed with people, some standing in the exits to hear speakers, including Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Karl Rove, deputy White House chief of staff for policy and the president’s close political adviser. Dozens of booths were set up outside the hall for conservative organizations to lobby for the attention of the 4,500 expected convention-goers.
The Walt Disney Co. had a dual purpose. Politically, it was to increase awareness about intellectual property rights.
“We’re raising a whole generation of young people that think it’s fine to steal stuff over the Internet,” said Preston R. Padden, executive vice president of worldwide government relations. He said that up to half a million movies are downloaded illegally each day worldwide.
However, Disney representatives spent more time calling attention to “Operation Uplift.” Passers-by were invited to address postcards to “Dear Serviceperson” and add a personal message. Disney provided postage and promised to deliver the postcard to a member of the nation’s armed services stationed overseas.
Padden said Disney had already delivered more than 50,000 such postcards.
The Government is not God Political Action Committee, or GING-PAC for short, has nothing to do with former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is scheduled to speak Saturday. “It’s just the initials. When he was around, everybody thought that’s what it was,” said Chairman William J. Murray.
He said the organization supports politicians whose platforms include conservative stances, and not just Republicans. “In one instance, several cycles ago, we backed a Democrat against a Republican up in New York,” he said.
Murray said he expects the organization to reach out to “qualified, social conservative minority candidates” in the next election. “Conservatism is not a racial issue, and it shouldn’t be viewed as a racial issue.”
Amid the bumper stickers and conservative tracts for sale was one group usually associated with the other end of the political spectrum.
The American Civil Liberties Union’s booth appealed to conservatives on the issues of smaller government and protecting personal freedom, said Matt Bowles, a national field organizer for the organization.
“We actually have a lot in common with a lot of the many groups here. We work with the leadership, for example, of the American Conservative Union,” he said, adding that the group’s chairman invited the ACLU to participate.
The table featured information detailing instances when the ACLU supported conservatives’ free speech rights. One document, “The ACLU: A Conservative Organization,” features quotes by famous conservatives about civil liberties and the ACLU. It includes statements by former congressman Bob Barr, R-Ga., who has worked with the ACLU, and Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association.
By Logan C. Adams
Scripps Howard Foundation Wire
WASHINGTON - Look at a few bumper stickers, and there’s no mistaking the politics of this convention.
Says one: “Ted Kennedy’s car has killed more people than my gun.” And another: “Forget 911 Dial .357.” Also available for purchase from the booth of Accuracy in Media, President Bush-bobbleheads, books by Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity and ties decorated in your choice of elephants, the stars and stripes, or the Confederate flag.
The 2005 Conservative Political Action Conference, sponsored by the American Conservative Union, began three days of events Thursday, appropriately, in the Ronald Reagan Building.
The building’s Atrium Hall was packed with people, some standing in the exits to hear speakers, including Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Karl Rove, deputy White House chief of staff for policy and the president’s close political adviser. Dozens of booths were set up outside the hall for conservative organizations to lobby for the attention of the 4,500 expected convention-goers.
The Walt Disney Co. had a dual purpose. Politically, it was to increase awareness about intellectual property rights.
“We’re raising a whole generation of young people that think it’s fine to steal stuff over the Internet,” said Preston R. Padden, executive vice president of worldwide government relations. He said that up to half a million movies are downloaded illegally each day worldwide.
However, Disney representatives spent more time calling attention to “Operation Uplift.” Passers-by were invited to address postcards to “Dear Serviceperson” and add a personal message. Disney provided postage and promised to deliver the postcard to a member of the nation’s armed services stationed overseas.
Padden said Disney had already delivered more than 50,000 such postcards.
The Government is not God Political Action Committee, or GING-PAC for short, has nothing to do with former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who is scheduled to speak Saturday. “It’s just the initials. When he was around, everybody thought that’s what it was,” said Chairman William J. Murray.
He said the organization supports politicians whose platforms include conservative stances, and not just Republicans. “In one instance, several cycles ago, we backed a Democrat against a Republican up in New York,” he said.
Murray said he expects the organization to reach out to “qualified, social conservative minority candidates” in the next election. “Conservatism is not a racial issue, and it shouldn’t be viewed as a racial issue.”
Amid the bumper stickers and conservative tracts for sale was one group usually associated with the other end of the political spectrum.
The American Civil Liberties Union’s booth appealed to conservatives on the issues of smaller government and protecting personal freedom, said Matt Bowles, a national field organizer for the organization.
“We actually have a lot in common with a lot of the many groups here. We work with the leadership, for example, of the American Conservative Union,” he said, adding that the group’s chairman invited the ACLU to participate.
The table featured information detailing instances when the ACLU supported conservatives’ free speech rights. One document, “The ACLU: A Conservative Organization,” features quotes by famous conservatives about civil liberties and the ACLU. It includes statements by former congressman Bob Barr, R-Ga., who has worked with the ACLU, and Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association.
posted by Logan C. Adams at 2/18/2005 06:48:00 PM
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