Conservative Political Action Conference
The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is an annual political conference attended by conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States and beyond. CPAC is hosted by the American Conservative Union (ACU).[1] The first CPAC took place in 1974.
History
The conference was founded in 1974 by the American Conservative Union and Young Americans for Freedom as a small gathering of dedicated conservatives.[2][3][4] Ronald Reagan gave the inaugural keynote speech at CPAC in 1974.[5]
The 2010 CPAC featured co-sponsorship for the first time from GOProud, a gay conservative group.
In 2014, CPAC extended an invitation to American Atheists, which was immediately withdrawn on the same day due to controversial statements by AA's president David Silverman, who declared his group was going to "enlighten conservatives" and that "the Christian right should be threatened by us".[6] The 2015 CPAC featured Jamila Bey who became the first atheist activist to address CPAC's annual meeting.[7] The 2016 CPAC featured co-sponsorship for the first time from the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization which advocates for LGBT rights.[8]
2022 conference
The 2022 conference was held on February 24 to 27 in Orlando, Florida.[9] Speakers included former U.S. president Donald Trump, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard.[10]
External links
References
- ↑ CPAC 2015 Straw Poll: Rand Paul wins again – but Scott Walker is surging. The Washington Times (February 28, 2015).
- ↑ Diamond, Sara (1995). Roads to Dominion: Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in the United States, 2, The Guilford Press, 128, 138, 146, 198, 210, 212, 285, 289, 327. ISBN 0-89862-862-8.
- ↑ Wilcox, Derk Arend (2000). The Right Guide: A Guide to Conservative, Free-Market, and Right-of-Center Organizations. United States of America: Economics America, Inc., 43. ISBN 978-0-914169-06-2.
- ↑ CPAC Over 30 Years: Conservatives Have Come a Long Way (February 3, 2003).
- ↑ "Why Ronald Reagan Is Such a Big Deal at CPAC".
- ↑ "Atheists Invited, Then Uninvited, to CPAC". Political Outcast. February 26, 2014. http://politicaloutcast.com/atheists-invited-uninvited-cpac/.
- ↑ "In a first, atheist activist addresses conservative conference". The Washington Post. December 14, 2012. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/in-a-first-atheist-activist-addresses-conservative-conference/2015/02/26/8c5447e0-bdfd-11e4-9dfb-03366e719af8_story.html.
- ↑ 'Smooth sailing' for gay Republicans at CPAC (March 4, 2016).
- ↑ CPAC 2022.
- ↑ Announced Speakers.
