Conservative Conference Opens in Newport Beach Friday

Some big name Republicans on the state and national political stage, including a potential presidential candidate and two candidates for California’s 2010 gubernatorial election, will headline the two-day 2009 Western Conservative Political Action Conference opening tonightin Newport Beach.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is widely seen as a potential GOP candidate for the 2012 presidential race, and who had been considered as a potential running mate on Sen. John McCain’s 2008 presidential ticket, will give the keynote speech during tonight’s conference dinner at the Radisson Hotel, which will follow a private reception in his honor.

Meg Whitman, eBay’s former CEO, and Steve Poizner, the state’s insurance commissioner, both candidates for the 2010 California gubernatorial race, will also be speaking at the conference, which ends Saturday evening.

— Imran Vittachi