I am a political virgin

My very first day at CPAC, and it was NOT REAL LIFE. There couldn't have been a better lineup, and a firing keynote by Representative Michelle Bachman was the bell to start the day. Fiscal conservatism, defending moral values, and national security set the stage for her. She proposed an exemplary solution through this '3-legged stool' and expressed that we "need not a welfare state, but a state of well-being."

Although all of the speakers resented Obamacare today, Senator Ron Johnson can exemplify the response of the general GOP to Obama's health care bill, "it is the greatest single salt on our freedom." Out very own Senator Mitch McConnell was welcomed open heartedly and with red towels spinning in the air (by us, WKU-ers), and he gave real, advice to the youngsters of CPAC. He continuously advocated for us to keep fighting and stay engaged in politics and government.

Of course the honorary Newt Gingrich stole the show with a grand entrance to "Eye of the Tiger" and telling us that Americans only work when Americans are working! His green conservatism and comical anecdotes of past work with Reagan was the perfect 'intermission' to a series of long, political, SERIOUS speeches. Newt was Newt, stealing the show, once again.

The highlight of my day, however was the surprise appearance of Mr. Donald Trump who was welcomed with a lovely "booooo" and negativity by the Free Liberty fans. This conference is for all Conservatism activists, however the Tea Party and Libertarians defied unity and supported separate faction. To me, this was utter and upmost disrespect. However, this is politics, and I guess I am just a political virgin who doesn't know better. Subsequently, an honor was awarded to our country's great, Donald Rumsfeld, who was also welcomed in a negative way by the same libertarian, Ron Paul supporters. I lost my mind though, when an individual exclaimed, "WAR CRIMINAL" out of the blue when surprise guest, former VP Dick Cheney arrived with Rumsfeld. I could not believe this had happened, and this is when I knew that politics is politics. He was then followed out by multiple secret service men. DID ALL OF THAT REALLY JUST HAPPEN A COUPLE ROWS IN FRONT OF ME? I am still in disbelief.

"Struggle for freedom will never end, unfortunately. Fortunately, there will always be a struggle."
- Senator Ron Johnson
CPAC 2011

--POORVIE P
Feb 10, 2011