PRESS
RELEASE from
OUR America Initiative
Feb. 8, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sue Winchester
Governor Gary Johnson will speak at CPAC, address social issues
head-on
Former
Governor of New Mexico is hailed as most fiscally conservative in the
country, but his stance on marijuana legalization, gay rights, ending
war in Afghanistan and immigration make him unique among conservatives
February 8, 2011, New York, NY —Gary
Johnson,
former Governor of New Mexico has been invited by CPAC (Conservative
Political Action Conference), to speak at their 2011 conference on
Friday, February 11th at 9:30am. Previously, Johnson
had been told there was not room for him on the program, but is now
looking forward to the opportunity to address CPAC membership and
highlight issues such as cutting spending, economic reform, marijuana
legalization, gay rights and ending the war in Afghanistan.
Governor Johnson will also be the keynote speaker at the Republican
Liberty Caucus on Saturday, February 12th. His name will be
included on the straw poll at both events.
Ron Nielson, a longtime
Johnson strategist and consultant, says that Governor Johnson
is consistently heralded as a true fiscal conservative, and as such,
finds it interesting that he was not included in CPAC’s initial line up
of speakers. “Gary Johnson certainly meets all
the criteria of a true fiscal conservative,” Nielson states. “As
Governor of New Mexico, he eliminated the State’s budget deficit and
cut the rate of growth in state government in half. Additionally, for
the past several months, he has continued to emphasize the danger of
our federal debt, and how it poses the greatest single threat to our
national security.” He continued, “We are thrilled that a space
has
opened up on the speaking schedule, and believe Governor Gary Johnson
will bring a voice to CPAC that will not otherwise be heard. We look
forward to generating thoughtful and productive dialogue on these
issues that need be addressed by conservatives.”
Political advocacy
groups who have been supportive of Governor Johnson had speculated that
his stance on social issues such as marijuana legalization, gay
rights, a woman’s right to choose, ending the war in Afghanistan and
calling for more realistic immigration plans could have precluded him
from inclusion at CPAC.
Rob Kampia, executive
director of the Marijuana Policy Project, stated, "Governor Johnson
is one of the most fiscally conservative people to govern any state in
our lifetimes. If conservatives and Republicans truly want to
expand
their base, they should take a look at the young people who attend CPAC
every year, the vast majority of whom believe marijuana should be
legalized, taxed and regulated. I’m looking forward to Gary’s remarks,
and hope they will spur more open and realistic conversation among
conservatives.”
During CPAC, the
following organizations will come together to participate in an event
to support Governor Johnson: Republican
Liberty Caucus, Citizens Opposing Prohibition, Americans for
Tax
Reform, Log Cabin Republicans, Students for
Liberty, Free and Equal
Election Foundation and Young Americans for Liberty.
Event Details:
Governor Johnson CPAC Speech:
Friday, February 11th, 9:30am, Grand Ballroom, Marriott Wardman Park
Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road NY, Washington DC.
Gary Johnson CPAC Rally (participating
groups listed above): Thursday, February 10th, 7:00pm, Stones
Throw Restaurant, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road
NW, Washington DC.
Republican Liberty Caucus National
Convention Keynote Address: Saturday, February 12th, 8:00pm,
Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia
Additionally, Governor
Johnson
will be available for interviews at the OUR America Initiative booth at
CPAC, February 10-12th. Please contact Sue Winchester at
media@ouramericainitiative.com
or 801.303.7924 to schedule an interview.
# # #
E-MAIL received from
OUR America Initiative on Feb. 8, 2011
Governor Gary Johnson not invited to speak at CPAC???
The
Conservative Political Action Conference – CPAC – has long been an
important gathering for activists and leaders working for smaller
government and greater freedom. And who better to carry that message
than two term Governor Gary Johnson. The Governor who vetoed 750 bills
and thousands of line items and promoted liberty.
As
of this morning, it is not clear whether Gary Johnson, Honorary
Chairman of the Our America Initiative, will be speaking at CPAC.
His
voice needs to be heard. Considering his unmatched record as New Mexico
Governor of cutting spending, reducing government and actually walking
the “conservative” talk that is today suddenly fashionable, it is hard
to imagine there is even a question about his being on the agenda.
Maybe,
just maybe, Gary’s unadulterated views of personal freedom, his
realistic desire to end marijuana prohibition, and his opposition to
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan make the CPAC Old Guard a little too
uncomfortable.
Maybe,
just maybe, even this gathering of conservatives isn’t ready to hear
the truth Gary has been spreading across the nation: That
symbolic
spending cuts and half-measures won’t work – that we need to be cutting
spending by trillions, not just billions.
And
maybe, just maybe, some are hesitant to give the microphone to a guy
who isn’t afraid to point out that Republicans are just as much to
blame for trillion dollar deficits as are Democrats.
The
folks at CPAC – and people all across America – NEED to hear Gary’s
message, and they need to understand that he is just about the only guy
on the national scene who can say he actually did, as Governor, what
needs to be done. He proved it can work, and America needs to
know the
truth.
We
are still hopeful that Gary will get a spot on the CPAC agenda. A
lot
of people want him to speak, and he will be there – with or without a
microphone. More important, this experience makes it more
important
than ever that we make sure Gary and the Our America Initiative ARE
heard, not just at CPAC, but in every corner of America.
To do that, we need your help:
http://OurAmericaInitiative.com/donate
Help
support Gary Johnson spread the message of truth. If you choose to make
a donation to Our America Initiative any amount will be appreciated.
Ron Nielson
Spokesman for Our America
Inititive