The Final 2025 CPAC Report From The Other McCain

Not the only source of info from the conference, but I always enjoy his writing. CPAC Scenes

There is nothing else on the planet like CPAC. As I’ve sometimes said, it’s basically Mardi Gras for right-wingers. You see all the earnest young College Republican types, with the boys in nice suits and the girls dolled up in dresses and heels, and you know they’re having the time of their lives.

There is a collection of photos, and some random thoughts to go with them.

This afternoon, I went down to the exhibition hall and filled up a swag bag with freebies to take back home. Only spending two days at CPAC this year, which means I’ll miss President Trump’s speech Saturday.

Click thru.

CPAC Update

The Other McCain is attending CPAC and producing (somewhat) regular CPAC: New Heights of Awesomeness

Watching Vice President J.D. Vance being interviewed on the CPAC stage by Mercedes Mercedes Schlapp yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but be impressed and encouraged. Vance is very, very good as a communicator.

There is much more, including some links to some of the video published on X.

Report from CPAC

The Other McCain is once again attending CPAC. CPAC: Today Is Vice President Day

An early report that includes a photo with Donut Operator.

Well, I’m still alive, and still don’t have my media credential. Last night they were talking about opening up media registration at 5:30 this morning, so I woke up extra early and now must go over there and check in to see if I can get my badge. But failing all else, I’ll be in the Belvedere lounge.

And some thoughts on 2026 midterms. CPAC: Too Early to Think About 2026?

That’s what we need — grassroots energy in a longshot campaign like the one that forced Barney Frank to spend half-a-million dollars of his own money to fend off the underdog challenger.

Even if you don’t win a campaign like that, the point is you force Democrats to play defense in otherwise “safe” districts, which limits how much money and effort they can put into fighting in the “purple” battleground races. Can MAGA generate the kind of grassroots energy in 2026 the Tea Party had in 2010? I don’t know. But what I do know is, I like this guy I met in the hotel elevator.

I expect there will be more reports, even if only photos of meals.

Reports from CPAC

A few on-the-ground reports from CPAC 2023.

The Other McCain notes that CPAC doesn't seem to have been run with the professionalism of years gone by. CPAC 2023: ‘Media Logistics’ & a Strange Memo From the National Affairs Desk

But if they don’t understand how important Legal Insurrection, Gateway Pundit and Twitchy are . . . ? Well, even if I did endorse Mike’s anti-CPAC vendetta (which, I must repeat, I do not), the people who screwed Mike over on his credentials probably wouldn’t ever read my endorsement. Or, to quote Hillary Clinton: “What difference, at this point, does it make?”

Stacey Lennox at PJ Media misses the CPAC of yesteryear. CPAC 2023: the End of an Era

The conservative movement needs an enthusiastic, energized, and collegial base of activists capable of coalescing around an eventual nominee. Those people used to attend CPAC. They may have voted for diverse potential candidates in the straw poll. However, the feeling that permeated the conference was that of a group of happy warriors who were enthusiastic to debate ideas and come together when required. Now it seems CPAC is dominated by a distinct faction that can be described as “Only Trump,” even if he loses a contested primary.

The Other McCain notes that CPAC is singing one song. CPAC 2023: Trump Is Still the Big Dog. Maybe this is why some people stayed away.

Whatever his critics may say, the fact remains that Trump still has millions of loyal supporters who will show up to vote in Republican primaries, and unless something changes drastically in the next few month, it is unlikely that anyone — including Ron DeSantis — can stop Trump from being the GOP nominee in 2024.

The Other McCain there really are other choices besides Trump. CPAC 2023: Why Not This Guy?

Ramaswamy’s speech yesterday at CPAC was lit, as the kids say. He is an outspoken and articulate critic of the religion of “Wokeism,” but more than that, is an enthusiastic proponent of American exceptionalism.