The Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition is planning to hold a forum for some likely Republican presidential candidates Monday night.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer are all expected to attend the event at the Point of Grace Church in Waukee, Iowa. Each will be given 10 minutes to address the audience, which will include Terry Branstad, the state’s Republican governor, and more than 600 GOP activists.
Steve Scheffler, a National Republican committeeman and leader of the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition, has billed the event as “the largest gathering of pro-family, values-minded voters in the spring of 2011.” According to their website, the IFFC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that advocates for “integrity in government, high moral values, constitutional authority, and Christian principles.”
TheDC reported on Saturday that California businessman and potential Republican candidate Fred Karger was not invited to the event. Karger, who is openly gay, says he believes his sexual orientation was the reason for the snub and has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission.
Next year’s Iowa Caucus will be the first contest of the 2012 presidential primary season.