CPAC: The Gathering of the Committed

Every year the around this time, political conservatives gather for three days in Washington at CPAC, the Conservative Political Action Conference. It is sponsored by various groups but primarily by the American Conservative Union. I have attended a few of these and will go again tomorrow as an observer to basically to hear the various politicians speak and get a few free canvas tote bags.

The real participants at CPAC are not like run-of-the-mill, normal conservatives. The ones who attend are REAL conservatives. It is a call to arms, a crusade to save America with liberal-socialist bashing of unparalleled proportions. The words liberty and freedom, Founding Fathers, Constitution are used seriously and with intimate conviction. Ronald Reagan is the holy spirit and Barry Goldwater the messiah himself. 

Last year after the conservative-tea party victory at the polls, there was a buzz and energy that is rarely experienced at these types of conferences. If it was a liberal conference, it would be like Leon Trotsky had risen from the grave to make an appearance. I was surprised at the number of young citizens attending. After all the main media view of a conservative is a toothless guy in a truck with a gun rack and a fat big-haired wife in rollers next to him.

Last year in talking to participants-especially the college students- I was impressed with their informed nature and zeal to take on big government. It was not quite like the grimy "Occupy" crowd squatting in our parks. It was up-lifting and I respect people who actually believe in something, do something, even though I do not always share the same beliefs.

 I do not know what to expect this year as  enthusiasm is hard to maintain. I suspect it will be equally interesting as last year as the election season is upon us and the stakes  for conservatives have never been greater. While conservatives have reservations about Mitt Romney as the potential Republican nominee, their dedication to replace the occupant in the White House will be at fever pitch. I want to witness the reaction to his appearance and also get a sense of this activist crowd.