A handful of GOP presidential hopefuls are slated to attend the annual “RedState Gathering” in Atlanta in August, when the race for the Republican nomination could be kicking into high gear.
Erick Erickson, the editor of the conservative website, announced in a post on Tuesday that attendees will include former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.
Ms. Fiorina announced earlier this month she is running for president on 2016, and the other confirmed attendees have all been laying the groundwork for potential runs.
Other announced candidates — Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Sen. Marco Rubio and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee — have also been invited.
“Though I am loathe to ever suggest a topic for speakers, I have asked each of the 2016 candidates to focus on one thing: If they become president, their re-election would be in 2020,” Mr. Erickson wrote.
“I’d like them to present their 2020 vision for what the nation should look like after their first four years. We do not need Obama bashing. We need to know what they would do differently and how they would shape the nation. They should be elected not on their ability to bash the opposition, but their ability to sell a vision for the future that resonances with the base and the nation as a whole. We do not, right now, need a 50-point plan. We need to know what they see as the areas that need fixing and how their fixes will reshape the country,” he wrote.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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