Conservatism Sells (2)

So one of our Big Con secret agents was rambling around the CPAC conference last week, the annual right-wing D.C. hootenany. He was perusing the merchandise hall, where you can presumably purchase, say, a Hillary "urinal target." (Because conservatism is all about winning "the war of ideas.")

As I've been saying, conservatism is a business. Don't believe me? Here's what my spy has to say:

One guy was selling these furry Russian "Hillary" hats, the point being she was going to use healthcare reform to turn the U.S. into the Soviet Union. So I asked him, "What's your specific objection to Senator Clinton's healthcare plan?" He answered, "I don't have one. I'm just selling these hats. I'm an entrepreneur."

I'm feeling for these poor entrepreneurs. I suspect business rather sucks—considering that, last Tuesday, turnout was nearly twice as high among Democrats than among Republicans. Another leading indicator: one of my friends in the conservatism business (he publishes books which the American Conservative Union distributes in bulk, like The Truth against Hillary, or books rich underwriters simply send out for free—this fair-and-balanced tome on Tom Daschle, for instance, was sent to every household in South Dakota in 2004). He used to send me taunting emails every year about how many college students swarmed CPAC this past week. Because, you know, conservatism is on the march among the kids.

It was only later that I learned that the actual registration fee for college students, subsidized by rich conservatives, was only $25, rendering the accomplishment meaningless except for Big Conning purposes.

This year: no email. Is it because they can't even draw this year at a bargain-basement price?

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