CPAC 2012 has officially come and gone. There were a lot of great speeches, insightful panels, and a few really bad occupy CPAC chants ...seriously, "hey hey, ho ho, CPAC has got to go" ...really?
Despite the terrible chants of the (paid) Occupy CPAC protesters, the majority of young people at CPAC were actually attendees. Every year the number of young people at CPAC grow, and if it they aren't already, college students will soon be the majority of CPAC attendees. From college students to young adults, the crowded speeches, panels, and hallways of CPAC are full of young conservatives ready to get the message out--something that gave CPAC a very optimistic vibe. As much control as the left has over the universities and the entertainment industry, the number of young conservatives are not only growing, but these young adults are much more active in this movement.
CPAC appears to be coming more grassroots every year ...that, or grassroots is becoming more establishment. The organizations that sponsor the event, the new media panels, and the media used to cover the event is a product of new media activism, most often used by those in the tea party. This is an event where people are often recognized by their twitter handles, YouTube videos, or blogs before they are recognized for their name or their face--it's all about content. As much as the CPAC crowd probably loves Fox News, this conference was primarily covered on the internet with live streams, blogs, and twitter.
Regardless of which candidate has the most support or who gave the most engaging speech, one thing was blatantly obvious at CPAC--the media is changing. iPhones, iPads, Wi-Fi and 3g can be thanked for the growing number of young people that are politically aware and active. There is a media power shift in the works--the power of messaging, facts, relevance, even who, where, and when you want to get your news from is all coming back to you, the individual.
Here are a few highlights from this year's CPAC.
Highlights from Thursday, February 9th at CPAC
Read about Marco Rubio’s speech: “Marco Rubio: Is America Still An Exceptional Nation?”
Blog Bash: Video of the Year goes to… Attaaaaack Waaaatch
Highlights from Friday, February 10th at CPAC
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum addressed CPAC this morning. See a recap and watch the full speech.
Congressman Allen West (FL-R) took some time to visit Bloggers Row…
In case you missed it… Earlier today on radio Glenn caught up with SE Cupp live from CPAC
The image that silenced bloggers row…
SE Cupp asks CPAC attendees who they would like to see run against Obama in November: GBTV’s Straw Poll
Highlights from Saturday, February 11th at CPAC
Joe the Plumber is back, and looking for a different job title. SE Cupp checked in with everyone’s favorite plumber to see what his big plans are for 2012.
Chuck Woolery took a few minutes at CPAC to talk to SE Cupp about an upcoming appearance on The Glenn Beck Program to make a big announcement.
Scott Rasmussen breaks down the CPAC Straw poll
What does the GOP presidential nominee have to do to make Grover Norquist happy? Find out in his interview with SE Cupp…
Daniel Hannan, Member of European Parliament, quotes the founders and warns America.
Occupy CPAC was no match for Sarah Palin during her keynote speech.