Beck to speak at conservative conference

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- TV host Glenn Beck says his decision to speak at a conservative conference in Washington, keys on conservatives' collective anger at mainstream Republicans.

During his radio show Wednesday, Beck dismissed comments that he was throwing his lot with Republicans, by accepting an offer to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, next month, Politico reported Thursday.

"I don't usually do these kinds of things. I don't usually speak at, you know, political organizations, or anything like that," Beck said. "CPAC is my kind of people. I think they're as angry at the Republicans as I am."

Beck committed to speak at CPAC after former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, bowed out, saying she was taking a stand against establishment Washington.

Beck's star has risen among conservatives, particularly among the so-called Tea Party movement protesting big-ticket Democratic initiatives Beck frequently skewers.

CPAC historically "was more populist and -- even though it was held in Washington -- it was anti-Washington," Craig Shirley, a Republican strategist whose firm co-sponsors the conference, told Politico. During George W. Bush's administration, he said, "CPAC became more associated with the establishment Republicans ... ."