Timing

I'm flying out to California tomorrow. Can't say I'll be sorry to miss this while I'm gone.

A gaggle of White House hopefuls will descend on New Orleans during the next three days for the Republican Leadership Conference, where they will seek the favor of more than 2,000 party faithful eager to topple President Barack Obama in 2012.

The event, previously known as the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, has become one of the largest annual GOP gatherings nationally, and it promises to offer candidates -- announced and unannounced -- an opportunity to hammer the president, further establish their conservative bona fides and gain face time in front national reporters and grassroots party activists. The event includes a two-day straw poll of paid attendees, with the results announced Saturday.

Maybe someone will save me a coffee mug, or a teacup as the case may be.