Mitch Daniels
A Wrap-Up of CPAC 2011
13/02/11 22:13
I was sitting in the Atlanta airport reflecting on this year’s CPAC, and I realized I was slightly disappointed. While it was still a great conference and boasted a record crowd, it lacked some of its usual energy for me. Maybe it was due to all the controversy surrounding the event, maybe it was just the overall dissatisfaction with the current crop of presidential candidates (57% of attendees were not satisfied with the current field and wanted stronger candidates--CPAC Straw Poll), or maybe it was the mediocre speaker line up, but I didn’t sense the enthusiasm of years past.
Several would-be presidential candidates showed up at CPAC, but only a couple wowed the crowd. Mitt Romney’s speech was typical, and he largely skipped over the health care issue. The response was tepid. Only three quarters of the ballroom was full (it had previously been standing room only), and most CPAC-goers didn’t have much to say about it. Tim Pawlenty’s speech was mostly red meat, and was short on specifics. John Thune was okay, but certainly not a standout. Gary Johnson did a good job, but his position on the legalization of marijuana keeps a lot of people from supporting him. Ron Paul got the best reception, but that was largely due to the abundance of Paulies in attendance.
The only two who really stood out were Haley Barbour and Mitch Daniels. Daniels spoke at the Reagan Banquet on Friday night, and according to those in attendance, he hit a home run. I watched the video of his speech on the CPAC website, and I agree that he did an excellent job. I even heard some Paul supporters would be willing to get behind Daniels should Dr. Paul not run. Haley Barbour was the topic of a lot of conversation re: 2012, and he delivered a solid performance. Hitting on topics like spending, energy and health care, Barbour sounded like a presidential candidate. He hasn’t announced his intentions, but it sounded like a stump speech to me. I heard he was mobbed all the way to the door.
I was surprised at the number of high profile conservatives that skipped the conference this year. I know some of them refused to participate because of GOProud, but other regulars like Mike Pence didn’t really offer a reason (at least not that I heard). Sarah Palin claimed it was a scheduling problem for the second year in a row. I find that interesting because if I were gearing up to run for president, I think I would make time for the largest gathering of conservative activists in the world. I also think it is worth noting her lackluster performance in the straw poll coming in 9th with 3% of the vote.
The CPAC Straw Poll didn’t contain many surprises this year. Ron Paul won as predicted helped along by his organization, Campaign 4 Liberty, selling discounted tickets to their members. Whatever you think about the Paulies, you have to give them credit for showing up in droves and being very well organized. Romney was the only other candidate with an organized effort and came in second. Gary Johnson and Chris Christie tied for third, followed by Newt, Pawlenty, Bachmann and Daniels.
You can find videos of all the speeches here.
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Are "Truces" Necessary For Coalition Building?
22/09/10 11:13
There has been much uproar over the comments of Gov. Mitch Daniels and Rep. Paul Ryan regarding a "truce" on social issues within the Republican Party. Many of the social conservatives interpreted those comments to be calling for an admission of defeat on social issues among Republicans. Between the latest David Boaz article on Cato, and the Hogan diary on Red State, I've been giving this debate a lot of thought.
Hogan acknowledges that the current conservative coalition has different opinions on social issues, and correctly points out that the war against government spending is what unites us. I don't think anyone is saying the Republican Party should change its position on social issues. But, we must realize that if we lose the war against spending, we won't have a country left to worry about social issues. I think of it like a house on fire. First you've got to put out the fire, then you can see what is salvageable and start to rebuild.
That's also what I think what Daniels, Ryan and Boaz are trying to say. The fiscal crisis our country is facing takes priority over our differences on social issues. That is not to say that we compromise our principles on social issues, but that we must fight and win the fiscal war first, and then we can work out our differences on social issues.
In order to build coalitions, you have to find common ground. In this case, that common ground is fiscal responsiblity. Let's work with those who agree with us on the principles of limited government and freedom to win that war. Most of the time, those who believe in those values will be in agreement with us on social issues as well...but maybe for different reasons. Regardless, putting government back in it's proper role should be our first priority.
Hogan acknowledges that the current conservative coalition has different opinions on social issues, and correctly points out that the war against government spending is what unites us. I don't think anyone is saying the Republican Party should change its position on social issues. But, we must realize that if we lose the war against spending, we won't have a country left to worry about social issues. I think of it like a house on fire. First you've got to put out the fire, then you can see what is salvageable and start to rebuild.
That's also what I think what Daniels, Ryan and Boaz are trying to say. The fiscal crisis our country is facing takes priority over our differences on social issues. That is not to say that we compromise our principles on social issues, but that we must fight and win the fiscal war first, and then we can work out our differences on social issues.
In order to build coalitions, you have to find common ground. In this case, that common ground is fiscal responsiblity. Let's work with those who agree with us on the principles of limited government and freedom to win that war. Most of the time, those who believe in those values will be in agreement with us on social issues as well...but maybe for different reasons. Regardless, putting government back in it's proper role should be our first priority.