That was my favorite quote of the day- simple and correct.
The first day of CPAC was a good one, with an early start. You know you get there early when all the booths in the exhibition hall aren't set up yet. However, we did get dibs on lots of cool free stuff. I can always use a plastic College Republicans cup and donkey pin to put on my backpack. I wish more Republican students would label themselves with pins and things so I could make new (more intelligent!) friends. Not saying that my friends now are dumb- I love them dearly- but clearly the only way to go is the Right way (get it?).
This year's CPAC theme was introduced as "Saving Freedom." Senator Jim DeMint began by introducing Marco Rubio, a Senate candidate for 2010, as the great new conservative leader. He seemed dynamic enough, showing great passion for his quest to reduce tax rates, eliminate double taxation, pass law suit abuse reform, and attack radical Islam. He had the Right idea (haha, there it is again) that the key was to fix, not change, America. NoBama. He said that you can't get by just through manipulation of the political spectacle, however, the main reason why I was not all that impressed with him was because of how often he looked down to read his speech. That might sound nit-picky, but I want my Congressmen to speak to me, not at me; I want them to work with me, not just for me.
Joshua Mandel (OH) was more inspiring to me. The man looked like he was five years old, but boy, did he show his passion for politics. He talked about his race against incumbents in a mainly Democratic constituency, walking door-to-door to get votes, and doing whatever he had to do to prove that he could. His main message was: Stand on principle.
That's the thing about CPAC, it always leaves you feeling fresh and invigorated with the spirit of Conservatism, but that spirit only lasts in me for a few weeks after returning, if that. I mean, Joshua's story of opportunity was inspiring, but how many people are lucky enough to raise above those circumstances?
Liz Cheney also gave a great speech. She urged the President to stop apologizing for this great country and to start protecting it. She urged the audience to visit keepamericasafe.com to sign a petition to let the Mr. Obama know that we are not okay with the release of terrorists, we are not okay with them being tried for heinous crimes in civil courts on our soil, and we are not okay not preserving the freedom our armed forces work so hard to protect. "Saving Freedom." It was also a wonderful surprise when she brought out her father, none other than former VP Dick Cheney himself! Senator Scott Brown was another pleasant surprise CPAC dropped today.
Around 5 o'clock I took a break with the boys to stop in to my favorite little Indian shop from last year. Didn't find another Buddha, but got some other cool stuff. I love bartering with the owner because he always lets me win :) XPAC was a bust, despite the fact that I became famous (as you might be able to tell from Tim's previous photo post). I was interviewed by a German TV station, the lady told me to check tagesschau.de to see the end package but that failed because I don't speak German so I can't read the site. We were also then interviewed by a woman from The New Republic, Lydia DePillis. We discussed Republicans as the "no" party and were asked in both interviews if we felt the party was reaching its youth. I believe that it is. Republicans don't appeal to as many young people as Democrats, I believe, because the message they support requires a solid base of values and principles. Values and principles require maturity, responsibility, and intelligence, qualities that, unfortunately, many people our age have not fully developed.
After that, Brent, Andrew, Tim, and I all let our brains go to mush, eating good food and having great talks about life. The insights that you gain from the moments you don't expect are always the best. I'm enjoying myself here, and looking forward to another full day tomorrow.
Ali Edelstein
I disagree with blaming the Democrats for the current political climate. Not because I think they are right. They're dead wrong. Most of their campaigns attack individual freedoms, most notably property rights. The left by definition is anti-freedom. It would be foolish to expect Democrats to act to preserve rights.
ReplyDeleteThe responsibility fell upon the Republicans. They were supposed to be the defenders of freedom, not the Democrats. But they failed.
They failed when they supported bailouts and economic stimulus under both Bush AND Obama and every Great Society, New Deal, and progressive move towards socialism before that. They also failed to protect individual rights when steps were taken to inject religion into government through state sponsored faith-based programs, upholding the Ten Commandments in courthouses, and the like.
Before Republicans can truly call themselves supporters of freedom, they must adamantly oppose any new legislation to regulate the economy without compromise, sever ties with all religious agendas, and recognize that the founding principles of the country rest on the preservation of individual rights, including those rights to property, business, body, and mind.
I recommend all Republicans and conservatives watch the keynote address at the Republican Party of Virginia 2009 State Convention by Yaron Brook, president of the Ayn Rand Institute. It's an eye-opener for both those in and out of the Republican party.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZDXMQwSls0