Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The American Conservative Union Foundation, the 501(c)3 arm of the American Conservative Union (ACU), runs an annual conference called CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) in Washington, DC. It boasts that it is the largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists in the country. Each year the conference brings more than 10,000 attendees to the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel . As a Republican candidate for President, I had hoped to be invited to speak CPAC 2012, but once again I was not invited to join my fellow candidates. So I applied to purchase an exhibitor booth at the CPAC trade show. Having been denied a booth last year because CPAC claimed it was sold out, I applied extra early this time on November 30, 2011. I sent in my application in so early in fact, that qualified for the early bird discount. I was sure this time that CPAC could not use the same excuse as last year, but it turned out that it did. CPAC has denied my request to purchase a booth at their trade show for the second year in a row. I have never heard back from anyone with CPAC, but they issued a statement when asked about my application on January 24, 2012. CPAC communications director Kristy Campbell told BuzzFeed "The ACU is sold out of exhibitor space for CPAC 2012, and priority is given to previous sponsors and partner organizations."
Weleski for a booth (application and fax receipt attached) along with my credit card information to cover the $2000 booth rental fee. By submitting my application on November 30, 2011 I met the deadline for the early bird discount and would save $500. I was sure that CPAC was not sold out that early. One week went by and no word from CPAC. Then a second week went by, still no word from CPAC. Beginning December 15, 2011, I called or emailed Ms. Weleski every few days. I also called Al Cardenas, the Chairman of the American Conservative Union at his office in Florida. I never received a call back from him either.
important many of us believe those issues to be. That was the right thing to do.
First Openly Gay Presidential Candidate and First Jewish Republican Presidential Candidate
I am making history every day as the first openly gay candidate of a major political party to run for President of the United States, and I am doing so as a Republican. I am also the first Jewish Republican candidate to run for president and be on state ballots. Would CPAC
refuse to rent me an exhibitor booth because of my religion? I doubt it. I have been a Republican my entire life, and was a Republican political consultant for 27 years. I have worked on nine presidential campaigns including those of Presidents Ford, Reagan and George H W Bush. I have managed or been involved with dozens more federal, state and local campaigns. My Republican credentials are impeccable.
The District of Columbia has always been a leading advocate for Human Rights and a leader in equality for all. Therefore, I ask the DC Office of Human Rights to immediately investigate my claim of
discrimination by the American Conservative Union Foundation. I would like to be allowed to rent a booth at this years CPAC Conference which begins February 9, 2012. Thank you very much for your help. Best regards, Fred Karger