CPAC: A Summation

I'm not sure where to begin in my summation of my experiences in Washington, D.C. this past week. I guess the best place to start would be the beginning.

I anticipated that I would enjoy my trip, as I was accompanied by a few good friends, and had never traversed to the capital before. My knowledge of the city was limited to a sort of post-apocalyptic image from Fallout 3, which takes place in D.C. (and happens to be my favorite game released this past year). I was afraid I would feel out of place in my new surroundings, as I haven't been very involved in SGA or College Republicans. I was wrong.

The conference itself was mindblowing. The speakers I heard reinforced my beliefs, helping me realize exactly why I chose to be a conservative, and helped me discern my political affiliation from that of my friends. Everyone I met at CPAC were so engaging, and helped me get out of political apathy and into a positive direction. Even at this age, I realized I do have a voice in politics, and it is imperative to develop a political identity.

Meeting Ann Coulter was among the highlights of the conference, and hearing Mike Pence speak really left a lasting impact. Mike Huckabee and Rush Limbaugh also really struck a nerve, and helped me realize that conservatism will soon make its comeback. I couldn't believe how bias the media really is against conservatives, and it gave me more confidence in my News/Editorial major. I'm excited about the internship fair next year, as I hope to be able to be an influential conservative voice in the media one day.

The city itself was amazing, as I got to see the White House, Capital Building, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Museum of Natural History, the Ford Theater, and Arlington National Cemetery.

I strengthened the bonds of friendship with my roommates, as well as met and grew to like some faces from WKU I hadn't seen before. I look forward to going again, as choosing to go has been one of the best decisions I've made this school year. The experience has led me to really want to become more involved in politics and the conservative movement not just in regards to national interest, but on the local level as well. I'm thankful for the experiences I've had, and really applaud the Politial Science Dept. for making this opportunity possible.

Allegra Robbins