No it’s not a Stephen Colbert gag. A Washington Times-sponsored cruise, no doubt modeled on the oft-profiled National Review trip, set sail last month just as the paper’s leadership shakeup unfolded.
Cruising through the eastern Caribbean aboard the Holland America Eurodam vessel, participants were promised stimulating discussion on such questions as, “Where is America Headed Under President Barack Hussein Obama?” and “How Can We Avoid A European-Style Democracy?” and “Who Will Emerge As the Next Republican Party Leader?”
But alas, two sources familiar with the planning of Cruise for America! tell TPM that it went on, but with little to no Washington Times presence. It was co-presented by talk radio host Rick Amato.
For $1,298 per person, conservative vacationers had been promised a speaker roster featuring Times executive editor John Solomon, who resigned the week before the seven-day cruise departed, columnist Tony Blankley, and They Must Be Stopped: Why We Must Defeat Radical Islam and How We Can Do It author Brigitte Gabriel.
Here how the pitch was made:
This is an exciting opportunity to not only enjoy a luxurious Caribbean cruise, but to hear what leading political experts have to say about everything from the future of conservatism, to who will emerge as the next republican leader, to where is America headed under President Obama?
If you love beautiful water and beaches and warm Caribbean weather in November…exotic ports of call…and the opportunity to pick the brains of experts like Brigitte Gabriel- New York Times bestselling author, John Solomon- Executive Editor of The Washington Times and others…then this cruise is for you!
The exact reasons why the cash-strapped newspaper didn’t participate in its own cruise are unclear, but Blankley told TPM this morning that he doesn’t think the recent turmoil at the paper was the cause. He said he was informed a few months ago that the event was off and he “gladly” removed it from his calendar.
The Web site for Cruise for America! lives on here.
