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Breaking News
CPAC Catches the Tea Party Spirit
Activists will add energy to this week’s conference in D.C.
Lisa De Pasquale was preparing Tuesday morning to depart her office in Northern Virginia to set up operations at Washington’s Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, and she wasn’t the only one planning such a trip. Across the country, thousands of conservative activists are making their way to the hotel in northwest D.C. that is the site of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference beginning Thursday.
As CPAC director, De Pasquale spends all year planning and organizing the annual three-day conference that is the largest gathering of its kind in the country. The event has become so huge that it was moved this year from its longtime home at the Omni Shoreham Hotel to the larger Marriott Wardman Park, just off Connecticut Avenue near the Woodley Park Metro station.
“We’re at a larger facility this year, but it looks like we’re already going to be bursting at the seams,” said De Pasquale. “Right now, we’re about 20 percent above pre-registration for last year. So we’re expecting between 9,000 and 10,000, if on-site registration is on pace with last year.”
Not only will this be the biggest CPAC ever, but it is likely to be the most energized conference in several years. This year’s conference will bring the added enthusiasm of hundreds of new attendees who have been active in the Tea Party movement. In fact, one of the movement’s first events took place during last year’s conference, when about 200 CPAC attendees gathered for a rally in front of the White House that featured Michelle Malkin.
That February 2009 LaFayette Park rally was mocked by liberal bloggers — “puny,” sniffed the Village Voice — but the grassroots movement swelled into a force that made a real political impact. Tea Party activism helped conservatives score big wins in last fall’s Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections, as well as Republican Scott Brown’s stunning victory in Massachusetts, capturing the Senate seat held for nearly four decades by Ted Kennedy.
The Tea Party movement will be represented by speakers and panelists on this year’s CPAC agenda, including Jenny Beth Martin of the Tea Party Patriots and Dana Loesch of the St. Louis Tea Party. And the final keynote speech on Saturday will be given by Glenn Beck, who helped spur on the movement with his 9-12 Project.
“I think he’s someone who’s going to energize the conference,” De Pasquale said of Beck. “I expect him to give a call to action that will help our attendees take the energy from CPAC into the 2010 mid-term election.”
This will be the first-ever CPAC appearance for Beck. Also making their CPAC speaking debuts at this year’s event will be Allen West, an Iraq war hero and congressional candidate, and Marco Rubio, whose Florida Senate campaign has ignited a grassroots uprising against the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which backed Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP primary.
Liz Cheney and Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter will make their first CPAC speaking appearances this year, said De Pasquale, while Internet news entrepreneur Andrew Breitbart (who has previously participated in panel discusses at the conference) will give a main-stage speech Saturday. Breitbart will be introduced by Hannah Giles, who became famous in a series of videos exposing the community organizing group ACORN. Giles will also be a participant in XPAC, a series of events for younger conference attendees — and there will be lots of them.
“As in years past, we’re expecting that more than 50 percent of our attendance will be college students,” De Pasquale said. “It bodes well for the movement that there are so many young people who are energized about attending CPAC.”
Attendees young and old will hear from a stellar list of conservative speakers, including South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, House members Steve King, Mike Pence, Jason Chaffetz, Darrell Issa, Scott Garrett, Eric Cantor, Dan Lungren and Ron Paul, and numerous commentators including Andrew Napolitano, John Fund, George F. Will and Ann Coulter.
Beyond the speeches and panel discussions, the conference features numerous book signings, receptions and an enormous exhibition hall.
“The official schedule is just one part of the CPAC experience,” De Pasquale said, adding that the chance to meet with fellow conservatives is a major attraction of the annual conference.
CPAC is a “collaborative effort” with more than 100 co-sponsors, De Pasquale said, and requires extensive planning by herself and her assistant, Joe Logue.
“Three hundred sixty days a year, it’s two people,” she said. “Once we’re on site, we have CPAC communications director Ian Walters and about 10 ACU staffers, as well as 50 or so volunteers from across the country. We work 24/7 as it gets closer.”
Of course, it’s not all work and no play. CPAC has been described as “Mardi Gras for the Right,” and as “MTV’s Spring Break, but with pearls and navy blue suits.” On the eve of the big three-day party, De Pasquale was thinking about the event’s new hosts at the Marriott Wardman Park.
“I wonder if they know what they’re getting into,” she said.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
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H C Case| 2.17.10 @ 7:06AM
As a Mayflower descendant and American, is there any doubt that the words of our founding fathers are not now more relevant than ever before, especially as those patriots'words of wisdom relate to the Tea Party Movement of today? Here is an excerpt from historical works cited in American Patriots and Statemen, Collier Classics, 1916: “…Time has been given for the whole people maturely to consider the great a question of independence, and to ripen their judgments, dissipate their fears, and allure their hope, by discussing it in newspapers and pamphlets, by debating it in assemblies, conventions, committees of safety and inspection, in town and county meetings, as well as in private conversations, so that the whole people, in every colony of the thirteen, have now adopted it as their own act….I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not…” *
*Charles Francis Adams, Works of John Adams (Boston 1856), I. 230-232 passim, from the book: American Patriots and Statesmen from Washington to Lincoln, The Collier Classics, 1916.
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 7:30AM
The News Factor, an informative online Conservative News Magazine » CPAC … it’s a FRE links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 9:01AM
It’s CPAC Time! : The Other McCain links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Tim K.| 2.17.10 @ 9:40AM
Wish I would be attending! CPAC 2010!
martin j smith| 2.17.10 @ 10:31AM
The concern I have politically are Rino Republicans who have had a history of saving the Democrat Party from defeat. This is a serious problem because it can mess things up royally. Perhaps with the help of the Tea Party Movement challenges can be made against these Rinos to either push them to the right or get rid of them. Rinos are not anything but a variation of a Liberal ( Left ) Democrat. Lem Rinos form their own party or join the Democrat Party, but no more pretending to be what they are not. The key for the Tea Party Movement is the restoration of representative government. This what our nation is all about.
Al Adab| 2.17.10 @ 10:49AM
Martin,
Certainly your above expresses the situation on the ground. However, the RINO's actually are the GOP, it is only when the Conservative Movement dominates the GOP that the party enjoys success. Both 1980 and 1994 demonstrate that. The failure of the GOP following 1994 led directly to the collapse in 06 and 08.
Unless we restore a Conservative outlook to the GOP, we will not succeed in restoring limited Constitutional government. You are correct that the parties should reflect real, not symbolic differences in governing philosophy. Keep fighting.
artglo| 2.17.10 @ 10:51AM
Couldn't agree more, but it's meaningless as long as the TP keeps subjecting itself to the GOP. Time for a real party, real candidates.
Al Adab| 2.17.10 @ 10:36AM
It is becomming ever more clear that the voter revolt, call it Tea Party or CPAC or whatever, is rewriting the rules of engagement for this political year. Astute office holders have begun to realize that the rules have changed, although exactly what the new rules are remains to be seen. Those incumbants seek out and engage with the now energized public.
Citizens attend meetings with public officials and ask pointed questions. They are no longer satisfied with hearing platitudes or waffling, they want direct, honest answers. They want to know how potential candidates think and reason, not just how they might pander. Such a climate can only be a good one for the future of our public debate.
Let's watch as the rules develop and see where this new trend takes us. Active involved citizens may just hold the key for restraining government and restoring Constitutional limits at all levels local, state and national.
J.C.Eaton| 2.17.10 @ 11:26AM
Mr. Case, Cheers from a fellow Mayflower derivative. I suspect my guy was a bit more problematic than your guy! Best,
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 12:23PM
The American Spectator : CPAC Catches the Tea Party Spirit links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 12:23PM
The American Spectator : CPAC Catches the Tea Party Spirit links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
spo | 2.17.10 @ 12:31PM
I’m so sick of Republicans/Conservatives ruining this great nation while waving the patriotic flag. JUST LOOK AT THEIR RECORD since Reagan/Bush, Bush/Cheney were elected. It’s like these incompetent, scheming fools were trying to live up to the old Soviet saying about “America will be destroyed from within”. Waste, fraud, abuse, scandal, corruption, lies, job outsourcing, off-shore account tax evasion , war profiteering, Constitutional violations…
During the 8 years of Bush/Cheney and Republican controlled Congress (1994-2006) the American PEOPLE got screwed over by some of the most RECKLESS ECONOMIC in U.S. history. Republicans HOPED and PRAYED the results of such degenerate economic policy wouldn’t come to light until AFTER Obama/Biden took office but luckily the Democrats won big in 2006 and discovered JUST HOW BAD THINGS REALLY WERE!
If it wasn’t for the Supreme Court appointments I’d have wished McCain would’a won in 2008. Then Republicans would have HAD TO TAKE OWNERSHIP of all the poor economic decisions among other LOW GRADE THOUGHT PROCESSES…
I swear to the Almighty GOD, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT… The most SHAMELESS, HYPOCRITICAL THING I’ve ever been witness to is how Republicans/Conservatives are dodging responsibility for the economic meltdown. They decided it was better for their political careers and revised history legacies if they just LIED and blamed Obama/Biden for the HUGE MESS!
Republicans believe Corporations have a right to do as they please. Most card carrying conservatives are so ignorant they don’t even know their own ideological CREDO. “Limited intervention in the economy. Substantial intervention in morality”. This means let the RICH do whatever they please while finger pointing and preaching to the average Joe and Jane Smuck.
Reagan/Bush killed ANTI-TRUST and any regulation that kept industry HONEST. When Reagan/Bush came to power, the USA was #1 on the planet in exporting goods and importing raw materials. This is the very definition of a prosperous economy. In 2010, it’s the exact opposite. Why? Years of Republicans selling out the American middle class, that’s why. Oh and let’s not forget Reagan union busting and DEREGULATION. The root of ALL future Corporate scandal.
Then we go to the 90’s with Newt Gingrich/Delay/McCain Republican’s busy selling out the American middle class. I wanted to ask the Grich about all the hidden legislation such as the “Expatriate Clause” in Clinton’s Family Leave bill. It allowed the super rich (multinational Corporations, Saudi royals, drug trafficers, etc) take their billions out of the country PENALTY FREE!
While President Clinton and the American PEOPLE were MISDIRECTED by the media, fake Christian morality and the famous Monica Lewinski blowjobs… Newt oversaw legislation/policy that paved the way for outsourcing of American jobs, off-shore accounts scandal, media consolidation, predatory lending and a “Corporate Crime Wave” of epic proportions… (Enron, AIG, etc.)
While Republicans were waving the American flag and professing love of our great nation, behind the scenes they were busy selling out our children’s future. Explain to me please Newt, what good can come from insuring the venture capital of Corporations that move American jobs to Communist China?
You right-wingers are insane and must be stopped before you wackos turn this great nation into a corporate owned police state…
consciousmc.blogspot.com
Nick| 2.17.10 @ 1:07PM
Blah-Blah-Blah.....
Al Adab| 2.17.10 @ 1:33PM
Well Nick, at least we know where they're coming from. Yawn.
Nick| 2.17.10 @ 2:28PM
Al Adab,
True.
From Psycho-Fantasyland!
Jackal| 2.17.10 @ 4:09PM
Wow. I've never seen so many facts from a Liberal. Loved what Rush said today, "If the economy is falling now, it must have fallen from up there somewhere - meaning it was better under Bush." Well, yeah.
Alan Brooks| 2.17.10 @ 6:51PM
"If the economy is falling now, it must have fallen from up there somewhere - meaning it was better under Bush." Well, yeah. "
Yeah, it was even better under Reagan and Clinton.
Christopher Holland| 2.17.10 @ 10:07PM
Who left the door open at the lunatic asylum? They need to do a bed check.
To SPO| 2.17.10 @ 1:32PM
My dear spo -- you are describing exactly what the progressives are doing. You don't know that Obama is a puppet of the bankers and corporations? You don't see his draconian takeovers of everything that should be free and sacred not being a police state? Obama spent more money than all presidents before him combined and is destroying the country on purpose.
My my you are living in a cave!
Le Cracquere| 2.17.10 @ 4:44PM
In SPO's defense, I think he might actually be one of us. I know quite a few liberals, and with a few exceptions they're not this stupid, and not this accomplished at making their own side look stupid.
My suspicion is, "SPO" is a well-intentioned conservative provocateur who has a rudimentary gift for satire, but needs practice and needs to work more naturalism into his attempts. His "SPO" character is mildly amusing, but plays brinkmanship with our suspension of disbelief--much broader, and no reader would believe that our faux-left poster could finish his missive without destroying or attempting to devour his keyboard.
But his heart's in the right place, and I encourage him in his future pursuits.
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 1:45PM
Heading Down The Track To CPAC « The Camp Of The Saints [New Main Site] links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 2:20PM
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : The Mount Vernon Statement (mount vernon statem links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Franklin| 2.17.10 @ 3:04PM
I want to be there, too!
Hope they create a DVD like they did for last year's conference.
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 4:05PM
The American Spectator : CPAC Catches the Tea Party Spirit Type links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 4:58PM
CPAC 2010: Mitt Romney Expected to Fire Up Crowd | Mitt Romney Central links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
PCC| 2.17.10 @ 6:58PM
For the record, Ted Kennedy held his Senate seat from 1962 until his death in 2009 (a span of nearly five decades, not four), and the seat was in Democratic hands from 1952, when JFK defeated Henry Cabot Lodge.
Ralphie| 2.17.10 @ 6:59PM
"And here's to good old Boston,
The land of the bean and the cod.
Where the Lowells talk only to Cabots,
And the Cabots talk only to God."
- Author Unknown
Pingback| 2.18.10 @ 12:32PM
Simon Cowell American Idol 8×10 Photo | Simon Cowell Celebrity Monitor links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.20.10 @ 12:30AM
The Challenges and Responsibilities of Bringing Through Information from God, The Hol links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 2.20.10 @ 5:47PM
Enthusiam And The Spirit links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
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Holidays in Dominican Republic | Vacation Travel Deals | Holiday … | Dominican Republ links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Puma x Alexander McQueen | 8.12.11 @ 11:56PM
is good