Lincoln's Birthday

President Abraham Lincoln was born today, 202 years ago, February 12, 1809.

I imagine it's fitting, then, that I walked the Washington Mall yesterday morning, from Capitol Hill to Lincoln's Memorial. I think that's my favorite place to be in the whole United States. Perhaps I'd tire of it should I be living in D.C., but being here fills me with pride and historical grandeur. I'll have more sightseeing pictures later. I spent just a few minutes at the memorial, but it is indeed a temple:

I'll have more from the Mall after I'm home in the O.C.

Ron Paul Is No. 1 for 2012 in CPAC Straw Poll

At NYT, "At Conservative Gathering, Ron Paul Is No. 1 for 2012":

WASHINGTON — With the Republican presidential campaign poised to open, conservative activists signaled on Saturday that they were unsettled over who should win the party’s nomination, indicating a wide-open race for the right to challenge President Obama.

For three days, prospective Republican presidential contenders delivered speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference here, introducing themselves to influential figures who will help choose the nominee. The results of a straw poll on Saturday underscored the fluidity of the field.

Representative Ron Paul of Texas won the poll for the second year in a row, and Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, took second place. The results reflected the challenges that lie ahead for Republicans as they weigh arguments of electability over ideology and try to unite the party to defeat Mr. Obama.

Mr. Paul received 30 percent of the vote, and Mr. Romney won 23 percent. The rest of the potential contenders finished in single digits, including Sarah Palin, who declined an invitation to speak here; she received support from only 3 percent of the poll’s voters.

Organizers said that more than 10,000 people from across the country attended the conference, but only 3,742 of them participated in the straw poll, the results of which offer little indication of which candidate will emerge to take on the president. The tepid showing of many of the candidates underscored the problems they face as they seek to introduce themselves to Republican primary voters. The conference is intended to allow candidates to test the themes of their prospective candidacy.

There more at the link, but see Politico, "YAF kicks out Ron Paul."

I was up in the bloggers' lounge when the YAF folks started handing flyers with the announcement. The Paulbots make CPAC seem like a circus, or at least more so than would normally be the case at an event this large. Lots more at Memeorandum.

BONUS: David Weigel, "Two Pauls Are Better Than One: Father and son Ron and Rand Paul wow the crowd at CPAC." And, "CPAC 2011: The Straw Poll Aftermath."

VIDEO: Ann Coulter's Speech at CPAC

Here's the Chris Christie segment (via Freedom's Lighthouse):

Plus, Allahpundit has full video and commentary, "Coulter at CPAC: If we don’t run Chris Christie, Romney will be the nominee — and he’ll lose." And at The Hill, "Coulter: Nominate Christie, because Romney will lose":

Conservative pundit Ann Coulter warned activists Saturday that if the party nominates former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in 2012, President Obama will win reelection.

Asked in a Q&A session after a bombastic speech at CPAC what she thought of the 2012 field of hopefuls, Coulter initially hesitated, but went on to essentially deliver an endorsement of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

"If you don't run Chris Christie, Romney will be the nominee and we'll lose," said Coulter, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

"By the way," she added, "I warned you about McCain."

Coulter didn't mention any other rumored 2012 contender by name, but said most of them are "good in the positions they're in now."

More at the link (via Memeorandum).

I'll have some more Coulter pics later.

Congressman Allan West at CPAC!

Rep. Allen West stopped by the bloggers' lounge before heading out to deliver the keynote address for CPAC 2011.

Robert Stacy McCain performed the introductions:

I'm listening to the speech right now.

Updates coming ...

Andrew Breitbart at CPAC!

This was my first chance to listen to him. He's definitely hot property at the convention. Here's Andrew during his speech this morning at the Marriott balloom.

Andrew was on a roll, as usual. Jillian Rayfield of Talking Points Memo was not amused: "Breitbart: Code Pink Protestors Used To Be 'Kind Of Slutty,' Now They're 'Long In The Tooth'":

In his rambling CPAC speech today, Andrew Breitbart described how he has enjoyed going to progressive rallies and peppering the protesters with questions. But, he said, the women of the anti-war group Code Pink are "tedious at this point" because they used to be "kinda slutty lefties," but "they're getting long in the tooth."

"I don't know why I decided to make my career trying to destroy the institutional left. I thought that would be a fun thing to do," he said at the opening of his remarks. He described how he's found that the people in protests "are not individuals. They've been community organized."

"They're not Americans," Breitbart said later. "They're animals."

Breitbart went on to describe how a "collusion" has developed between the SEIU, OFA, Acorn, and the Obama Administration. "The President is using these thugs," he said.

"It's vulgar to think that the President" has "his fingerprints all over" protest groups, Breitbart said, also noting that "at the end of the day a lot of them are just overacting extras."

He came up to the bloggers' lounge a bit later, and conservatives swarmed around to listen. Andrew quipped, "That wasn't the speech I planned to give." He then proceeded to recount the epic significance of the Pigford scandal:

And he's with Jim Hoft of Gateway Pundit and John Hawkins of Right Wing News:

I spoke with him for a couple of minutes. We've met before, but he's a superstar now. He mentioned he might be interested in expanding the coverage at Big Government et al. to colleges and universities. I said, "Hey, I'm your man there":

VIDEO HAT TIP: Marooned in Marin,"Breitbart at CPAC: The Left Is Being Organized By The President Against The Mass ."

Ron Paul's Speech at CPAC

I'm hardly a fan of Ron Paul, but no doubt he's a top CPAC newsmaker.

The Hill has a report, "Ron Paul slams Patriot Act, backers drown out jeers at conference." And the big theme at USA Today, "Ron Paul: U.S. ‘propped up’ Mubarak in Egypt." (Via Memeorandum.)

In any case, listen to it. The guy's a crank, IMHO. And from the comments at Gateway Pundit:

When will this guy just go away? His looney followers are what make me hate the guy. They are worse than Obamabots.

Well, his loony followers make it easier to hate the guy, but Ron Paul's a clown all by himself.

BONUS: More coverage, with a lovely photograph of Mary Katharine and myself: "Mary Katharine Ham Covers Mitch Daniels' Speech at CPAC."

More later ...

Mary Katharine Ham Covers Mitch Daniels' Speech at CPAC

Very few bloggers were at the lounge Friday night. Seemed strange after being packed like sardines on Thursday. The big evening event was the Ronald Reagan Banquet, and it was a humdinger. Phyllis Schlafly was emcee. And George Will was on hand. He introduced Governor Mitchell Daniels. I'll post some pics later. But Mary Katherine Ham was in the house, and she reports: "Full Text: Mitch Daniels’ Speech to CPAC." And the video's at Hot Air, "Mitch Daniels’s Speech at CPAC." And from Hotline on Call, "Daniels to CPACers: Don't Be 'Suicide Bombers'":

In a speech that appeared aimed directly at conservatives wary of his stance on social issues, Indiana Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels bluntly warned participants at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday against spurning candidates and issues capable of attracting broad public support.

"Purity in martyrdom is for suicide bombers," said Daniels, whose potential 2012 presidential candidacy has been defined by his critique of the some of his party's most ardent activists. He also called not-so-subtly for a shift in the party's political tone.

"I submit that, as we ask Americans to join us on such a boldly different course," Daniels said, "it would help if they liked us, just a bit."

Daniels' speech was markedly different than those given at the conference by other prospective GOP presidential candidates, who mostly struck to red meat for the party's base. Though the governor did take a few early jabs at President Obama, he seemed less interested in catering to his than in challenging to reach beyond its orthodoxy "to unify America, or enough of it, to demand and sustain the big change we propose."

Some conservatives have criticized Daniels for calling for a GOP "truce" on social issues so it can focus the party can focus on the economy. Daniels never referenced the controversy directly in his speech, but he did say the party must attract supporters who aren't plugged into politics or conservative commentary.

"We must be the vanguard of recovery, but we cannot do it alone," he told a packed house in an after-dinner talk. "We have learned in Indiana, big change requires big majorities. We still need people who never tune in to Rush or Glenn or Laura or Sean," Daniels said, referring to talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity. "Who surf past C-SPAN to get to SportsCenter."

More at the link.

And check back for updates. Meanwhile, at New York Times, "At Conference, G.O.P. Hopefuls Offer Criticism of All Things Obama."

Ann Coulter at CPAC

I missed the Sarah Palin impersonator, but Ann Coulter looked stunning during an interview with Pajamas Television:

Da Tech Guy has more, "Can someone explain to me why people swarmed the Sarah Palin impersonator ..."

Plus, The Other McCain updates, "CPAC Day 2: Into the Scrum" (more here). And Midnight Blue is retiring early for the night, "CPAC Experience: Flu Like Symptoms," and at No Runny Eggs, "CPAC random pics – Day 1."

And for real news, see Hot Air, "Romney supporters at CPAC pitching him as the anti-Palin." And Los Angeles Times, "Pawlenty, Romney bash Obama at CPAC":

On a seeming collision course toward the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney spoke to cheering crowds Friday at the second day of a gathering of the nation's conservatives, blasting President Obama for what they said was his failure to lead on national security and the economy.

While Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, and Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, have not formally declared their intentions, their White House ambitions appear more evident every day.

Romney's wife, Ann, introducing him to the packed house at the Conservative Political Action Conference, came close to an admission, saying that she "hoped" to see her husband elected. And when Romney, who has been on a nationwide tour, said at one point "if I decide to run for president," some in the room chortled.

But neither Pawlenty nor Romney, nor any of the other featured speakers here Friday, which included possible 2012 contenders Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, could compete with the rowdy reception given Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas libertarian.

More at the link.

It turns out that Ron Paul rent-a-bots have surged CPAC, apparently sent by the folks at Campaign for Liberty, and perhaps a few other isolationist-style "conservative" outfits.

And there's more: Dave Weigel updates on the gay marriage tussel, "CPAC 2011: Big Ol' Gay Party." He reports on Andrew Breitbart's private party at D.C.'s 18th Street Lounge. Apparently Breitbart's all for the GOP big tent, and he reverted to '80s-era alternative rock to cut loose the jams:

Depeche Mode was played; a fight nearly broke out between two people who were too drunk to explain what they were fighting about; some people were convinced that Dana Loesch, who was wearing leather pants, couldn't have possibly been Dana Loesch, because she was wearing leather pants.

Well, I met Dana Loesch yesterday. Her leather pants were real and fabulous.

Expect updates ...

More CPAC Blogging

While I'm conferencing today (and possibly without an Internet connection), check Goldfish and Clowns, "$2500 to attend CPAC Totally Sucks."

Well, yes, but a bloggers' panel with Dana Loesch takes some pressure off:

And more on yesterday's events, "CPAC Audience Rejects Donald Rumsfeld."

Yet, Secretary Rumsfeld received a warm welcome at the CPAC bloggers' lounge. And I introduced myself:

Also, I took a wonderful picture of Tania and John Ruberry with Rumsfeld as well, and I'll update with that later.

Donald Trump at CPAC: 'Ron Paul Can't Get Elected'

I'll have more CPAC pictures posted later, but Fox & Friends just interviewed Donald Trump, and no doubt his CPAC turn yesterday generated some buzz. For example, at ABC News, "Donald Trump: If I Run For President ‘This Country Will Be Respected Again’" (via Memeorandum):

During his speech, which was added to the CPAC agenda at the last-minute, Trump hinted that the time may be right for him to run for president, arguing that he had had at least as much experience as President Obama.

“Our current president came out of nowhere,” Trump said.

He laid out his policy viewpoints in straightforward terms: “I’m pro-life. I’m against gun control, and I will fight to end Obamacare and replace it with something that makes sense for people in business and not bankrupt the country.”

Trump added, “If I decide to run, I will not be raising taxes.” He also pledged to help America re-gain a competitive advantage with China and other countries that he said “are screwing us.”

I liked it!

And my full report is here: "Updates from CPAC — Donald Trump Disses Ron Paul!"

More CPAC reporting later!

Updates from CPAC — Donald Trump Disses Ron Paul!

Apologies for the non-existent CPAC updates. The Internet connection inside the bloggers' lounge completely sucks. I had a full day nevertheless, and I'll provide a more detailed report later. For now I wanted to get this photo posted. The bloggers' lounge includes a balcony overlooking the main ballroom at the Wardman Park Marriott. Once I saw Donald Trump on the television monitors I went out to take a few photos. Just as I did, Trump announced that "Ron Paul cannot get elected." The next thing you know the whole left side of the ballroom erupted in boos. At the picture, Trump is responding back, to his right, to the huge cohort of unruly Ron Paul supporters. It was an amazing moment. The Hill's got the story, "Trump: Ron Paul a 'good guy,' but 'has zero chance' of being elected president" (via Memeorandum):

Business mogul Donald Trump said Thursday that Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) could not possibly win the 2012 presidential race.

"By the way, Ron Paul cannot get elected, I'm sorry to tell you," Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Thursday. "I like Ron Paul, I think he's a good guy, but honestly he just has zero chance of getting elected."

Both Trump's names and Paul's have been mentioned as possible candidates for the 2012 presidential race.

Trump, who was a late addition to the speech schedule at CPAC, said in the same speech that he is considering running for president and would make an announcement if he decides to run in the first half of this year.

Bonus: Apparently the same crowd heckled Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld, seen below. The former vice president is not falling asleep. Rather, he's reading his notes:

At any rate, Talking Points Memo has the video: "Paul Supporters Hijack Cheney-Rumsfeld Reunion."

Pamela has more: "Where Have all the Rumsfelds Gone?"

More on Sarah Palin and CPAC

Earlier it was her comments on GOProud. Now she responds to Rick Santorum. This post has all you need, seriously: "Did Rick Santorum ‘Knock’ Governor Palin? UPDATED: Santorum Responds, Barr Fights Back – Further Updates – ADDED Palin/Santorum Reactions."

Politico's getting some mileage out of it: "Santorum's Twe-eating his Palin words" (at Memeorandum).

I'm off to CPAC.

Check my Twitter feed for instant updates, when I can get them posted. I'll try to post pictures to the blog as well.

CPAC Socializing

I think Tania's gonna bust me, since the flash is way too bright on this picture. But this will have to do until I can get a few more choice shots tomorrow:

I just happened to see Tania, as I was checking out the registration desk. We recognized each other immediately. It was also a pleasure to meet John Ruberry, a.k.a, Marathon Pundit, who was hanging out as well.

Tania arrived early Wednesday. She's got another report: "The CPAC 2011 Experience – In The Beginning."

And I'm seen here with Herman Cain and Pamela Geller:

More reports tomorrow.

Made it to CPAC!

And all you get is this Boeing 737!

(That's a few minutes prior to boarding, at John Wayne Airport, about 7:00am.)

Well, at least for now. I'm at the Henley Park Hotel in downtown D.C. I'm guessing it's just about 5 minutes or so from the Marriott Wardman Park, the conference hotel. Robert Stacy McCain just tweeted.

Look for a report in the morning.

Meanwhile, at Politico, "At CPAC, the race for second place as Paul goes all out" (via Memeorandum).