CPAC 2006

It was a blast. I came away exhausted after 4 days of being exposed to nothing but conservatism -- well big tent conservatism that is. The libertarians were there to tell us that we should legalize marijuana and other hard drugs. They call the current policy "prohibition." So, they had an open bar. And, I attended. And, they have me almost convinced that their position might be the best way to fight drug abuse and the crime that comes with it. However, I still can't come to the fact of allowing government to "condone" it by legalizing it.

Then there were the paleo-conservatives, such as George Will (who I'm throwing in that "paleo-con" camp). He opened up the first day of CPAC with a tough talk that told conservatives that they better be alert because the "conservative" majority isn't THAT large of a majority and just because the Left is in shambles, it doesn't mean conservatives are going to succeed. He then talked tough on the interventionist foreign policy and "nation building" adventures that the current Republican administration is pursuing. Without condemning the war in Iraq, he said conservatives need to advocate a "prudent" foreign policy. He used the word "prudent" at least 5 times... in the same sentence. (I think). Anyways, it sounded very Kirkian. As much as I follow Kirk's political thought, I'm still a huge supporter of the adventure we've taken in Iraq because I do think it was prudent, given our national security concerns in the wake of 9/11.

The best part of CPAC was being a part of ISI. There are over 200 conservative organizations that take part in this event each year and I believe I am part of perhaps the very best one of those. I think every organization and "branch" of the conservative movement has their role. But, I think ISI plays one of the most important roles and stands out as one of the most principled in the movement. While ISI leands more "traditionalist", it's "godfather" is Russell Kirk, and its all about learning ideas, and then helping to put those ideas into action through things like the Collegiate Network and our Campus Lecture Program.

Another great part of CPAC is all the people I get to meet, particularly the students who come out in force to see what the entire movement is all about, how they can get more involved, and it's a place where they can meet other like-minded conservatives when their campuses seem somewhat desolate places for conservative thought, particularly in the classroom. At CPAC, as "watered down" as the ideas can sometimes get (example: Ann Coulter spouting off how crazy the Left is, and then coming off a bit crazy herself), CPAc is still a nice retreat from the decadent culture and the Leftist ideologies that plague most college campuses.

I get to meet students I have known for a while, some I have known but get to know better, and still others that I just met for the first time and look forward to working with in the future through the many adventures of ISI.

John Zmirak, the Editor of the ISI College Guide gave a great talk to the students about the curriculum, the campus culture, and how they should pursue a better education. Luke Sheahan, an ISI Campus Representative and CN Editor at Oregon State University gave a great talk on his experience at OSU, and how he has worked with ISI, CN and other conservative organizations to further the conservative cause on his campus.

Newt Gingrich closed out the conference with an UNBELIEVABLE speech. I was IMPRESSED. This guy will either make a run for the presidency in 2008 or be standing by the side of the next President and work closely to futher some of the very fresh ideas he advocated - yet they were fresh ideas built on a strong conservative intellectual tradition. Everyone at this conference seemed to quote Reagan, which is never a bad thing and a sign that it is Reagan's ideas that this movement still rallies behind, ideas cultivated long before Reagan ever took office in the White House. But, I think Newt really sounded more "Reaganesque" than anyone else I saw or heard. Limited Government, a strong foreign policy and innovative ideas for social security, school choice, and campaign finance reform were the biggest strong points he touted. And, he certainly made a case that he is all about "Winning the Future" as the title of his new book says.

I think the conservative movement showed the diversity of ideas it holds just within the movement and the insecurities it feels as it becomes more popular and the government still grows larger. The young conservatives keep getting younger and keep the crowd growing larger. With all these factors, I'm confident this movement will impact this country for many decades to come. The ideas are still fresh and the competition for the best ideas is keeping it alive.