Palin disses CPAC, and she’s right in doing so.
In one of the most idiotic moves in the history of American conservatism, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), has allowed the wingnut John Birch Society (JBS) to co-sponsor it’s annual conference. Sarah Palin, rightfully, declined an invitation to speak at CPAC’s 2010 conference.
It was a nearly a half-century ago that William F. Buckley, Jr. helped purge the conservative movement of the JBS. Palin, smartly, sees Buckley’s wisdom. And I believe that every conservative politician who shows up at this conference should be forewarned that this will be used against you in both the primaries and the general election. So, if you are smart, you will follow Sarah’s lead.
Now, time for Bob Dylan’s commentary:
My guess it is the smart move, given that the Birchers, while I sympathize with their little “l” libertarianism, are a bit odd. Plus, it is usually wise for a conservative to quitely ask themselves before an important decision: “What would WFB, Jr. do?” (Christopher Buckley might consider that). I mean, I may have disagreements about Ike, but I do not think he was a Communist.
Who knew the JBS was sill around? But of course the real question is whether the GOP and/or conservatism (sometimes different things!) will reject the modern equivalents of the JBS, like the birthers. It’s easy to be right about controversial things that happened 50 years ago.
The MSM successfully trashed the John Birch Society like they are trying to do to Sarah Palin. The JBS started out with noble intentions, but was infiltrated over the course of time to become radical. It still has some good goals.
dave, I knew a few John Birchers and found the ones I knew to be freedom loving eccentrics. I generally agree with libertarianism, which is something JBS represents. There is also a very legitimate reason to be paranoid about Communists. But JBS was a very strange organization purely on its own and WFB was correct in distancing himself from it. The MSM is definitely trying to destroy Sarah Palin (and quite unfairly) but I do not think the JBS can blame its problems on the MSM.
The JBS is toxic and, yes, there are wack-jobs in the ranks. How surreal though when one realizes that Obama doesn’t just hang out with wack-jobs, he appoints them to positions of authority.
[...] for the record, I largely agree with Dr. Beckwith. I understand that there is a large berth given to the type of sponsor CPAC allows, but it makes [...]
[...] woodwork” because it is an opportunity. But Gerson might be throwing stones in a glass house. Francis Beckwith pointed out here months ago that the John Birch Society was a major sponsor of CPAC… I don’t know if this is still true. But if it is, is he willing to throw all of CPAC under [...]