CPAC Exhaustion
Saturday, February 20th, 2010CPAC this year is decidedly different than 2009. Last year, I sat down, absorbed knowledge and was motivated to re-launch my blog with a focus on women’s issues. This year, I worked the conference although I had today off. I spent the last two days running around from event to event, meeting with bloggers and working our booth. I think I met every conservative blogger and tweep out there.
Working the conference gives you a much different perspective. I met and saw lots of famous people. The most surreal moment was watching PJTV interview Ann Coulter and looking up to see Michael Steele crash the interview. You could feel the nervous tension of the surrounding crowd wondering exactly what she would say to him. (She likes him and thinks he’s doing a good job.). For the record, Coulter is extremely nice and down-to-earth. (If you watch the interview with John Hawkins, I came up with the question about what the Republican Party can learn from the Tea Parties. The interview hasn’t been posted yet.)
I also ran into Evan Maloney, who directed Indoctrinate U, and it was nice to catch up. I’m happy to hear that he’s writing for Andrew Breitbart at Big Government.
Other highlights include meeting Phyllis Schafly. She’s so dignified…and tiny. When I shook her hand, I marveled that this small, older lady could drive such fear into the hearts of liberals. (Seriously, walk up to a liberal and say that Phyllis Schafly is awesome. You can watch their brain cells explode in anger.)
I also met Steven Crowder, who did an fantastic job emceeing this morning. I hope they bring him back. (Attention @CPACNews, please bring him back. We need more Millenials in the lineup.) That kid has talent. Unlike most conservative “comedians,” he’s genuinely funny.
Due to church, I missed the last half of today and the straw poll results. Actually, I forgot to vote in the straw poll. I wouldn’t pay attention to the news that Ron Paul won. He had a massive following there, and Paul supporters are so connected that they can manipulate events such as CPAC. In fact, swaying the results of the poll is the type of thing that drives Ron Paul supporters. They had volunteers distributing flyers at every single entrance, and this hotel was huge. I respect their dedication and hard work, but I disagree with Dr. Paul on a few issues.
Blogger Row at CPAC 2010
Overall, CPAC2010 was fantastic. The new venue at the Marriott is much better. Aside from a few hiccups in getting blogger credentials, the conference catered to bloggers. My credentials almost get me into more areas than my co-sponsor status.
After so many years of battling the right to be more engaged online, it’s incredibly refreshing to see how quickly establishment organizations like CPAC have opened up to technology and are doing better than the left. I shudder to think what the Obama administration would get away with if it weren’t for new media.
I’m looking forward to getting some sleep tonight, emptying out my inbox and catching up on what those sneaky feminists have been doing. While CPAC is going on, it’s easy for conservatives to forget that liberals are hard at work while we’re distracted.
Update: In my earlier version, I wrote that I met Professor Reynolds. Apparently, I made a huge mistake. I honestly thought I met Professor Reynolds. I apologize. The mistake is mine and admittedly, I’m rather embarrassed. My apologies. There’s no conspiracy. Relax. Just a mistake from an over-worked blogger.
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