Feb. 9-11, 2012--39th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference

CPAC Draws Candidates, Conservative Luminaries

Three Presidential Candidates Appear in Midst of Race for the GOP Nomination

Feb. 9-11, 2012—The 39th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference drew three of the major Republican presidential candidates, dozens of conservative luminaries, elected officials and candidates, and thousands of activists to the Marriott Wardman Park for three days of speeches, panels, networking, and a busy exhibit space. Speaker after speaker took Obama and his administration to task. While the speechifying was going on in the ballroom, there was also much activity in breakout sessions and in the exhibit space, where roughly 200 exhibitors were set up. In the corridors and hallways of the conference activists met friends and acquantances and discussed politics, and supporters of the three presidential candidates waved signs and handed out literature.

The GOP presidential race has evolved considerably from a year ago when the field of candidates was unclear. Now there are four major candidates remaining, three of whom—former Gov. Mitt Romney, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, and former Sen. Rick Santorum—made their arguments to the assembled activists. Rep. Ron Paul, who in past has had a significant presence at CPAC, did not appear; he campaigned in Maine, and his son Sen. Rand Paul (KY) put in an appearance in his stead. A couple of longshot candidates also appeared; Fred Karger held a reception and Randall Terry (D) was seen in the exhibit hall with media credentials.

Three thousand four hunderd and eight (3,408) people participated in the CPAC 2012 straw poll. Romney finished first with 38-percent followed by Santorum at 31-percent, Gingrich at 15-percent, and Paul at 12-percent. Thirty-four percent of participants favored Sen. Marco Rubio (FL) as the vice presidential choice.

CPAC Scenes
Speakers and Panels
February 9
Gregg Keller, exec. director of ACU / Al Cardenas, chairman of ACU
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC)
"Do 'We Still Hold These Truths?': The Future of the Conservative Movement"
Sen. Marco Rubio (FL)
"The CPAC All-Star Panel - What to Expect in 2012"
Herman Cain
Sen. Rand Paul (KY)
February 10
Gov. Bob McDonnell (VA)
*Former Sen. Rick Santorum
Carly Fiorina
Ann Coulter
"Mr. / Ms. Smith Come to Washington - War Stories from The 2010 Freshman Class"
*Former Gov. Mitt Romney
U.S. Rep. Allen West (FL)
"The 'Right' View"
*Former Speaker Newt Gingrich
Ronald Reagan Banquet-Gov. Scott Walker (WI)
February 11
Former Gov. Sarah Palin

link to CPAC 2012 back: photo page