GOP V.P. contenders to speak in Rosemont Friday
By ABDON M. PALLASCH Political Reporter apallasch@suntimes.com June 7, 2012 9:38PM
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announces that he will not run for president in 2012, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Updated: June 8, 2012 12:34AM
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindahl, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are among the vice-presidential possibilities flocking to Chicago Friday for the Conservative Political Action Conference.
While conservatives will be gathering in Rosemont to hear from the standard-bearers of the Republican Party’s conservative wing, Illinois’ mainstream Republicans will gather in Tinley Park for their annual convention.
The biggest names they could muster? Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus and Downstate congressional candidate Jason Plummer.
The conservatives in Rosemont will also have three who tried and failed for president this time around: former Sen. Rick Santorum; Rep. Michele Bachmann; and Herman Cain.
Newly nominated candidate for Senate from Indiana Richard Mourdock will also be there as will Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. and Rand Paul, R-Ky; Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Illinois congressmen.
Gun control activists will protest the National Rifle Association’s involvement with the conference. One of the break-out sessions will deal with gun-owner’s rights. Others will focus on energy policy, education, and foreign policy.
The state party convention in Tinley Park will offer break-out sessions on Get-out-the-vote efforts, social media and effective use of voter data.
