In an apparent effort to shake its image as a party whose modern-day membership is confined almost exclusively to tea party extremists and/or members of the religious right, the North Carolina GOP announced this week that it would be opening up the tent to reach out to another group that once figured prominently in the party, but whose public participation has been less clearly visible in recent times.

I speak, of course, of that much discriminated against and long-suffering minority: Older, fabulously wealthy, thrice-married, beauty-contest running, spotlight-seeking gambling moguls. 

GOP officials announced that the keynote speaker at their state convention would be that  paragon of virtue and morality, the one and only Donald Trump. The Donald will speak on June 1 at 7 pm in Greensboro.

No word yet on whether the event will also feature another prominent casino owner, Newt Gingrich’s sugar daddy, billionaire casino king, Sheldon Adelson. My guess is that he puts up enough cash, they’ll be happy to include him.