Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R) and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) have both now confirmed that they will not attend the Southern Republican Leadership Conference (SRLC), which is taking place April 8-11 in New Orleans.
Their absence is notable in the sense that they are the two who have been most noticeably planning for a run in 2012 and this is a chance to speak to a major group of conservative activists.
Pawlenty had been scheduled to attend and was even advertised on the website as a featured speaker. The Minnesota Governor has pulled out however to attend the homecoming of about 1,200 troops returning from Iraq to Minnesota.
Romney officials say that the 2008 Presidential candidate will not be attending because it conflicts with his book tour. “He will be on the road promoting his book in New Hampshire, Boston, Philadelphia and Minnesota during the conference” said Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom.
However, plenty of other Republicans will take the opportunity to speak at the conference. Among the speakers: Former Alaska Governor and Fox News contributor Sarah Palin (R), Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal (R), Newt Gingrich (R), House GOP Conference Chair Mike Pence (R-In), Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (R) and former Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa).
SRLC official Kirstin Hopkins says she understands the scheduling conflicts and there are no hard feelings, however she maintains this year’s meeting will be bigger than ever and is “certainly a great opportunity to speak to conservatives.”