The several hundred souls who gathered at the Conservative Issues Fair on Saturday morning had a lot of action to choose from: advocate for a massive fence along the United States-Mexico border, get involved in the “men’s rights” movement, drown government in a bathtub or buy a hot pink “Palin Power” T-shirt. The fair was an open discussion of those issues advocated by most in the right wing of the Republican Party, all for the low, low admission price of $5.

The Twin Cities Republican Association organized the event, although a volunteer for the group said they aren’t partisans, but instead conservatives, and who can help it if Republicans most often represented their views? McCain-Palin merchandise dominated the conference, but support for the “maverick” was not always impressive among the TCRA membership. Their newsletter (pdf), which first announced the conference, had this less-than-glowing endorsement in March:

John McCain, the presumptive nominee, is a perfect example of liberal candidates that TCRA members have long disdained to follow. His pro-illegal alien position, along with the numerous leftist votes and opposition to conservative, federal bench appointees, has not engendered any loyalty from the well-informed Republican voters.

But what a difference a few months make. By this weekend, the group, and many of the conference attendees, were avid McCain supporters, although predictably, Sarah Palin materials sparked the most interest. Among the other politicians making their mark on the conference were Reps. Michele Bachmann, John Kline, Barb Davis White and Ed Matthews. Sen. Norm Coleman had a table with information as did Congressional candidate Erik Paulsen.

As the fairgoers, who varied widely in age, browsed the displays, old-timey tunes such as “I wish I was in Dixie” and “The Caissons Go Rolling Along,” played in the background. A non-legislator, radio show host Jason Lewis, was one of the fair’s celebs; a crowd gathered near a podium early to hear him talk during the lunch hour.

Throughout the banquet room, various candidates and causes had tables and display booths on hand.

There was an intriguing display by the National Coalition of Free Men, a men’s rights group that decried circumcision with the urgent if not exactly catchy warning that it “significantly reduces penis sensitivity.” And speaking of penis oppression, the group also handed out literature addressing what they saw as a problem with women falsifying rape charges. In less genital-specific matters, NCFM also expressed concern that young boys aren’t performing well academically.

A separate booth was dedicated to exposing the plight of men in divorce settlements, as they are often immediately rejected for child custody rights, organizers said. The answer to that from the couple working behind the booth: “Hey government, get out of our pockets,” a directive printed on military-green stickers they gave out to passersby.

In shirts that read “Restore Order, Secure Our Border,” members of Minnesotans Seeking Immigration Reform passed out cards that claim immigration will explode exponentially and overwhelm “Americans already here” because of illegal immigration and low fertility rates among current American citizens. Other handouts: “Got a warrant?”, “Socialism Sucks” and “Palin Power.”

A representative from The Truth About Minnesota canvassed the conference criticizing the printing of paper money and urging Congress to create money in silver and gold. “Funny money,” they said, was responsible for inflation and the government needs to return to backing currency with silver and gold. “Did you get your tax return last year in silver?” one gray-haired man asked, holding out a heavy silver coin. “Silver and gold stands is freedom. Paper is slavery.” On hand at their table were free pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution.

Minnesota Majority touted their Global Climate Scam campaign, the National Rifle Association was also there, the Minnesota Voters Alliance derided Instant Runoff Voting and about half a dozen anti-tax groups dotted the vendors area.

Curiously absent were any anti-abortion groups. In fact, there was no mention of abortion at all. And aside from a few stickers supporting “traditional marriage,” there was virtually no discussion of the hot-button issues surrounding homosexuality. Socially conservative issues were left out, and there was little mention of evangelical Christianity — one of the right wing’s most important base of support.

Anna Pratt contributed to this report.