Day 1: Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Welcomes 2012 Contenders
- Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:18pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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Editor’s note: This live event has concluded for the day and been replaced with a recap of Day 1 at CPAC from the Associated Press. This forum will remain open for comments.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of conservatives, roused by GOP election gains they engineered, descended on the nation’s capital Thursday, eager to help a Republican challenger deny President Barack Obama a second term.
But just who?
Nearly a dozen potential presidential candidates, in various stages and sincerity of considering a 2012 run, were auditioning before 11,000 conservatives.
The three-day Conservative Political Action Conference marked the unofficial start of the GOP presidential nomination fight. Not a single Republican has entered the race and each day seems to bring a new contender in a crowded field that lacks a front-runner to take on the Democratic incumbent.
The latest one isn’t exactly new to the game: Donald Trump, the estate mogul and host of TV’s “The Apprentice.” He showed interest in the past in running, in both 1988 and 2000, and said this week he’s seriously thinking about 2012. He followed up those remarks with a surprise, last-minute appearance at the conservatives’ gathering.
Would-be contenders were using the event to test messages, introduce themselves and gauge support.
“This is about making Barack Obama a one-term president,” said Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, a tea party favorite who’s flirting with a bid. Opening the conference as the keynote speaker, she said, “We’re all about winning in 2012.” She didn’t say whether she planned to enter the race for real.
Neither did former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
He did give a glimpse of his likely platform, using his speech to criticize Obama’s policies as a “war on American energy” and to promote his alternative. Gingrich proposed replacing the Environmental Protection Agency with an Environmental Solutions Agency that he said would reward innovation, could help create jobs and increase national security.
Hearty applause followed when Gingrich lambasted comparisons between the current president and the 40th president, a hero to conservatives: “Barack Obama is no Ronald Reagan,” he said.
Congressional Republicans and presidential wannabes took turns bashing Obama, cheering GOP victories in November and firing up the crowd for continued success in 2012.
“You stuck to your principles. You shouted from the rooftops and at the town halls,” said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “And we have embarked on our comeback.”
To Gingrich, “2010 is the appetizer. 2012 is the entree.”
Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., elected in the November GOP wave, said “the tide is turning” and hopes “that with so many Americans waking up to what their government is doing, we can make some real headway. … And we can fight against this growth of government.”
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, another freshman, urged lockstep opposition to Obama. “In the end conservatives, must stand united,” he said.
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, who lost in 2006 but is popular among anti-abortion activists and might run for president, was to speak later Thursday.
On tap for Friday: Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who ended his presidential campaign in 2008 at this meeting.
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is to speak Saturday.
Several favorites among conservatives were absent: Sarah Palin, the 2008 vice presidential GOP nominee, and Mike Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses in 2008, declined invitations, citing scheduling conflicts. Jon Huntsman, the former Utah governor, hasn‘t yet left as Obama’s ambassador to China, though he has signaled his intention to resign.
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Click here to view the CPAC agenda
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Vunks
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 10:51pmWhy didn’t they show Ron Paul? Once again the blaze is showing it is pro establishment.
Report Post »Grandpa
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:24pmFor you that don’t like the MSNBC stream, try this http://video.cpac.org/live
Report Post »sybilll
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 7:02pmOr, if you don’t want to have to register, http://www.therightscoop.com is carrying everything live as well.
Report Post »Grandpa
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:01pmThanks to MSNBC for streaming this.
Report Post »jmootispaw
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:19pmOh disappointing, I have spoken out before about this. I am not going ot add to the viewership to MSNBC and I really wish The Blaze wouldn’t either. Why do you keep making an irrevelant faux news organization relevent? I am growing with suspicion that something is going on here between the two entities. They appear on each others “radar screen” far too much for my comfort level. I love this site but too much MSNBC and the rantings of Matthews and the gang (even typing those letters in that sequence) makes me ill.
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 5:04pmhaha……….conspiracy with Beck and MSNBC?! Never thought of that one!!
I do believe Beck is a sincere person in his intents to put “truth” out there. msnbc is a sham, to be sure. I now understand……..before I awoke to this fact………why my dear mother, before her passing, hated Bush so much and many Republicans. That is the lies/hatred they spew all of the time…..and, she bought it.
He’s just making sure that those of us that are “slow” with the media corruption really do see it!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:19pmSantorum/Bachman 2012.
Just putting that out there.
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:10pmI like BOTH of them………but in reality……won’t happen! I do hope BOTH of them will help promote the cause of freedom for truly we need ALL conservatives and true patriots to help WIN the election. We CANNOT have more of the current regime and survive as the America we know and love. I think it surely is time for a woman VP……….but we can’t put a “McCain” on the ticket!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:18pmWhy do you think it can’t happen? To me the field looks wide open. Do you think they too conservative or too unknown?
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:45pmSantorum (I like him) was beaten in his last state election. I see him with wonderful qualities, but I don’t see him as one with strong financial background so as to not have to be at the mercy of others. (No ONE like Bernanke, Paulson, etc.!! We need TRUE conservatives in there with the money.)
Bachmann would be a great VP……..I’m good with that! The left-loaded media would send out their “wolves” on her but there would be a lot of conservative women (myself included!) that would love it!
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 5:39pmSantorum can’t be bought. He has too much integrity. Just because a politician raises money doesn’t make him owned by those who give him the money. If he runs he will find a way to raise the money needed. He has enough connections through time in the Senate and he has visibility through both Senate work and work on Fox. His losing his last election will actually be a bonus as he wasn’t in Washington during the last four years, two of Bush and two of Obama. That makes him both a Senator and an outsider.
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 7:46pmOh, no! I didn‘t mean to imply that he didn’t have the “resources” to run! I do have respect for him and do hear him frequently on FOX. He does appear to be a man of integrity and principle and I’m grateful for men (and women) like him!
I meant a financial background/business world experience. Given the dire financial circumstances we are in, I feel someone with a strong business/financial background would be an asset. But that has to be strongly linked with integrity and a deep love of our American purpose/values!
No matter who it ends up……..I hope there are no “sore” losers and not a nasty primary season! I hope this is not a contentious primary. We NEED unity.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Report Post »emertz8413
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:13pmI agree with Southpaw. I believe it was Jefferson who said, (paraphrasing) If it doesn’t pick my pocket or brake my leg, why should I care. I think this is a moral issue, best dealt with the churches, not the federal government. I see no reason why civil unions would be a problem. Live and let live, I don’t talk about my sex life, nor do I want to know about anyone else’s!
Report Post »IMTL
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:05pmHerman the Herminator CAin for 2012 is Obaminations worst nightmare, he is on tomorrow, hello conservative mixed up republicans lets start fighting together instead of against each other. Dump….
Report Post »No Free Beer
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 1:29pmAs a (true) conservative, I found it so hypocritcal by all you so called, “conservatives” that you want the government out of our lives, and for everyone to do what they want, yet bash gays for wanting equal rights. I, as many true conservatives believe, let them get married, it has nothing to do with you. I am happy that GOProud is there and doing this. If all you “conservatives” don’t like it, we are glad to see you fake conservatives leave our cause…
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 1:47pmI missed exactly where you saw the bashing, can you site that
Report Post »Southpaw
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:00pmI do not care if homosexuals are granted equal rights under the law. We have that option with civil unions. While I do not agree with the lifestyle choice, I am not against civil unions and all the rights that come with them. I am against altering meanings of words period. I am especially against it when the alteration of the word could affect my freedom of religion (ie making a biblical stance into hate speech). I personally do not care if someone is gay or not, but Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. all state that God sees this lifestyle as wrong; therefore, my faith will not allow me to condone it or any sin (including the ones I struggle with daily).
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:17pmMarriage is not a civil right. It is a social contract, the oldest in the world. It cannot be severed from the needs and purpose of society without doing damage to both it and society. To “redefine” marriage to fit individual desires is as dissatrous to society as redifining “inflation” to fit the government’s fiscal policy is dissatrous to the economy. Marriage is what it is, as inflation is what it is. Changing the menaining of things for political purpose is Orwellian and totalitarian and all TRUE conservatives should oppose it root and branch.
Report Post »No Free Beer
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:53pmjust read. you’ll see
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 4:05pmAs a conservative and one who believes that the Constitution was written for a “moral and religious” people, I believe the definition of marriage is a fundamental understanding. Marriage between a man and a woman is what propagates our species. Sure, sure, there are medical interventions, but that is not the nature of………life. The Creator/Nature’s God makes this clear for without the medical magic, mankind would obviously become extinct.
Our government does has to be based on TRUTHS to be strong and to be successful. Gov’t. must be small and limited to be successful, but it does need to be based on truths of nature.
Report Post »NSDQ
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 1:08pmWTH is with the Music at this place, Newt ended his speech and they saw him off with a Death Metal song WTH??
Report Post »Fight for America
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 1:00pmNewt’s 15 minutes of fame and time have passed. I’m also tired of politicians. How about someone successful for a change? Trump worked himself into success. He came back from a financial disaster and is successful again. His kids actually had to start from the bottom up even if they had help.
Newt? No. Huckabee? VP might be okay. McCain? Sounds like he’s flipped lately and also his 15 minutes of fame was a long time ago. Romney? Brought failing health care to Massachusetts. For 2012, I’d like to see someone who understands business (without jobs we are nothing), knows how to negotiate (not this administrations forte except in Chicago), who actually promotes our country instead of apologizing for it, and so on. Trump might be the guy to cross all the lines. North, East, West, South – everyone needs jobs and good business.
Report Post »ccr
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:54pmNo Newt. No Huckabee. I disliked his resentment/jealousy of Romney’s money and “poor me, I don‘t have Romney’s money” so took cheap shots with the religion (shame on him and other evangelicals who promoted such hypocrisy in a country of religious freedom!!) Huckabee should be happy that in America there IS/well, was….the opportunity for the American dream…..(education and hard work). He should‘ve promoted that rather than snidely criticizing Romney’s success.
Romney/MA’s attempt at health care needs to be carefully and truthfully analyzed. He is in favor of Obamacare repeal. I believe he is truly sincere about that as he has strong support of the state’s control. He, like Trump, have been successful in the business world! Good for them both!! Romney served and saved the winter Olympics 2002 with no salary and serving as governor with no pay. Both seemed to have strong respect or our America.
There are a number of other good to great women/men that could run. However, I truly believe that ….unfortunately……the liberal media will be so disruptive/distracting that perhaps those other possible candidates can better serve our country and the cause of freedom to contribute to rather than distract from the dialogue needed. I cannot see the control of the liberal MSM….and even some of the GOP……allowing Palin or Bachmann (both wonderful women!) to thrive. They have tons of “fight” in them (which I love!) as well as their true patriotic, conservative stands. We NEED them in this cause……….but not as the presidential candidate. At least not this election. We can’t be distracted by the unfair, endless attacks which have and would be made on them. But….we NEED them!!! And we need all those who love the founding Constitution and the freedoms divinely given to this country to put the great need for a person who can soundly defeat the current regime!! We must!!! We must unite to save our country!
Report Post »G man
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:48pmYeah yeah…..100 billion in cuts now or STFU!
Report Post »brntout
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:28pmWonder if there will be closed captioning so the libs who view it can have translated for them
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:34pmI doubt it. There are very few liberals who can read unless it is familiar to them, like “Give me your money!”
Report Post »brntout
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:42pm@ SHOWTIME I meant since they only undertand double-speak
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:27pm“Stay engaged and keep fighting.”
Sen. Mitch McConnell stated this message three or four ways.
Emails that I have received confirm this. Because we have fought back, we have made ground in the battle against Socialism and Progressives.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:24pmWatch carefully. If GOProud tries to push for same-sex marriage they will seriously fracture the conservative movement.
Report Post »G man
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:53pmSocial issues! AUGH! Stick to cutting the federal government back to the 2006 level. Stay focused for God sake. Get yourselves into a flying warrior yoga posture and repeat after me..Cut spending…. Cut spending…. Cut spending…. Cut spending
Report Post »Godlygovt
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 1:35pmAmen.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:12pm@G man
Report Post »If GOProud fractures the conservative voter base you wont get social OR fiscal issues resolved.
G man
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:27pmI get it. I have gotten it for 10 years. They need to stay focused and on point with spending cuts. This is why I want a Paul Ryan/Chris Christie ticket. Either one on top. They can’t be beaten. They understand what we are yelling about. They get it.
Report Post »ScienceIsNotEvil
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 8:59pmWhy is divorce ok but gay marriage wrong?
Report Post »DashRipRock
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:24pmWTF Blaze
MSNBC.com?
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:31pmIt can come though Gibbs’ A$$ for all I care, but I’m watching to see what the messages are. You can‘t fight effectively if you don’t know what the battle plan is.
Report Post »Zombee
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:46pmGo to “CPAC Live” Register for free view live feeds and all video of speakers at CPAC. Don’t stoop to watching the Obama propagandist network MSNBC.
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:50pm@Showtime:
“It can come though Gibbs’ A$$ for all I care, but I’m watching to see what the messages are. You can‘t fight effectively if you don’t know what the battle plan is.”
Report Post »______________
You are so right! NO ONE is going to AGREE with our opinion 100%, 100% of the time…These are important events to listen to!
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 12:22pmI will pass on watching this event; I have better things to do today with my time.
Report Post »Independent American
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:27pmYou are too busy to watch, but not too busy to say how busy you are?
Report Post »My2
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:30pmRepeat to yourself the following: I do not need to comment on every story.
Report Post »mattsanz
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:47pmThree questions a free people need to ask themselves. 1) Is Govt evil ? “Government is force; like fire.” George Washington 2) Can evil do good ? “Power always thinks… that it is doing God’s service when it is violating all his laws.” John Adams
Report Post »3) If evil attempts to do good, do you support it ? “United States of America does more good in the world than any other Nation” Republlicans..
Crowley
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 2:59pmI’m looking forward to hear what Allen West has to say in the keynote.
Report Post »MOVETERAN
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:15pm@Mattsanz
Government is no evil. The people in the government maybe though.
Report Post »mattsanz
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 3:49pm@MOVETRAN…Then why should we have a limited Govt and not an all powerfull one?
Report Post »RightWingStuffcom
Posted on February 10, 2011 at 5:28pmNo Gingrich.
Report Post »Phoney three-timer.
NOTALOTTAYITTAYADDA
Posted on February 11, 2011 at 10:36amGingrich is a CFR member and wants to “modernize” the US constitution.
Report Post »DO NOT SUPPORT GINGRICH!!