Take a stroll through CPAC’s exhibition hall this year and between the proffered candy, bumper stickers and key rings you can’t help overhearing some heated debates. At the end of the first row of exhibitors, next to the National Rifle Association, is a booth for the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property.

“That’s a lot of things to be worried about,” I remarked to the booth attendee.

“Yes,” he said smiling, “we have a lot of fingers in a lot of pies.”

These days, the group is particularly concerned with gays in the military. Beyond opposing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the organization of lay Catholics would like to see all homosexuals banned from the military, according to a white and green pamphlet they were handing out. The case against gays in the military is laid out in a book, displayed prominently, called An American Knight: The Life of Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC, yours for just $14.95.

While I was flipping through the autobiography, a woman approached the booth. Catherine Sumner, it turned out, was part of GOProud, a group of openly gay Republicans and conservatives that for the first time is taking part in CPAC. “Is this your flyer?” Sumner demanded, waving the white and green pamphlet. Thus launched a debate about gays in the military that pretty much ended when the booth attendee told her that homosexuality is a sin and she’s going to hell.