The American Conservative Union announced Thursday it will host a regional Conservative Political Action Conference in Denver on Oct. 4 — with GOP candidate Mitt Romney’s name on the invite list.
If Romney attends the rally of conservatives at the battleground state’s Crowne Plaza Denver International Airport, he won’t have far to travel.
CPAC Colorado falls the day after the presidential debate hosted by the University of Denver, just weeks before Election Day.
“At a time when the future of America is hanging in the balance, it is critical to unite and mobilize conservatives for the fight of 2012 and beyond,” ACU chairman Al Cardenas said in the release.
Political analyst Eric Sondermann the event’s placement on the calendar was no accident and that it could be a “double-edged sword” for the Romney campaign. CPAC Colorado could serve as a prolonged celebration for the candidate or distance voters if guests present a too-conservative agenda, he said.
“The red meat for conservatives is not necessarily the food of choice for swing-voting soccer moms,” Sondermann said.
Given the scrum of national media in Denver post-debate, politicians at CPAC Colorado could “take whatever weak moment the president had and blow it up into bigger news,” he said.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin also are on the list of senators, governors and state representatives invited to speak at CPAC Colorado.
Laura Rigas, ACU national communications director, said the organization will announce each speaker as they are confirmed.
