Liberty Expo this weekend

COEUR d'ALENE - The Republican Liberty Caucus of Idaho is launching a series of three "Liberty Expos" across the state and the first one is set to take place this weekend at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn.

The expos are designed to attract Republican precinct committeemen and other elected officials, but the general public is also welcome to attend, said Jason Robinson, treasurer for the RLCID.

"We really aren't interested in random attendees. Sure, they will help with ticket sales," he said. "But our goal is to motivate, encourage and educate central committee members."

The expos are also designed to raise funds that the Liberty Caucus will use to help their candidates get elected during the primary election season next spring.

Coeur d'Alene's event will be headlined by two-time Emmy Award winner Ben Swann, who has also earned two Edward R. Murrow Awards during his 14-year career in broadcast journalism.

Swann grew tired of the mainstream national media after the 2012 presidential elections and started a popular news website at benswann.com.

Swann was unavailable for interviews Thursday, but Robinson said the headliner will be accessible Friday evening and all day Saturday.

There will be one opportunity for the public to meet Swann free of charge, he added.

On Saturday morning, starting at 8 a.m., there will be a "sneak peek" of the event, with speakers and panelists introducing themselves and talking a bit about their break-out sessions that will run throughout the day. Tickets are also available for VIP events on Friday evening.

While the schedule is still a little fluid, Robinson said there should be five sessions that will include topics, such as Liberty and the Media, Gun Rights, Liberty and Religion, Civil Rights vs. The Growing Police State, Agenda 21, Common Core and more.

"We've left room to be elastic on these sessions depending on demand," Robinson said. "We want to make sure that every event is full so we have good interaction among the participants."

Michael Boldin, founder of the Tenth Amendment Center, will be keynote speaker at lunch on Saturday. The Tenth Amendment Center has a blog and a national radio show centered around state's rights.

"We might actually have a representative from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, but we don't have that confirmed yet," Robinson said. "I don't think it is going to be too friendly of an audience for the ATF, but we value open and frank discussion."

Barry Peterson, chairman of the State Republican Party, may also attend, but it depends on his schedule, Robinson said.

Many Idaho state legislators are participating, and some are even panelists, he added.

Sen. Steven Thayne, R-Emmitt, Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton, Rep. Bob Nonini, R-Post Falls, Rep. Ron Mendive, R-Coeur d'Alene, and Washington State Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Moxee, will all be in attendance.

For more information and ticket information visit idaholibertyexpo.com.