Conservative Like Me: My Journey into the Mind of a Conservative - Part 1

On February 10, 2011, I began an investigative journaling experience. This experience brought me from a socially very liberal and fiscally moderate to an extreme right wing conservative. Although not a stretch from my high school years, this challenge was harder than I thought it would be. I attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, an event sponsored by the American Conservative Union. This conference is what conservatives wait for every year. Held at a Marriott in DC, CPAC welcomes leading conservatives to speak and hundreds of organizations to hold exhibits in the exhibit hall. This is my story at CPAC, my journey into the mind of a conservative.

After getting out of class early, several friends and I entered the Marriott and I began living the life of my “alter ego”. We registered and got our badges, then voted in the all-important straw poll – a poll that would tell if the election was held that weekend, who the CPAC attendees would vote in. Next, we went to the main ballroom and heard rising speeches from Newt Gingrich and other political leaders. The room was filled with energy. It was filled with people of all ages, from student to senior; everyone was there to hear what their leaders were saying. Eyes glued and hands ready to clap, people were intrigued by every syllable spoken.  I decided to venture my way down to the exhibit hall and hear what organizations had to say. Personally, it killed me to take some of the flyers that were being given, whether they were angry rhetoric of the President or a list of the reasons gay marriage was an abomination to society. Looking over my schedule for the weekend, I figured out what I wanted to see and how I would cover all bases to write this blog today.

Friday brought much excitement for my friends, for it was the day Mitt Romney spoke. I arrived early and saved seats. As the countdown ticked and finally showed 00:00, my friend Hannah nearly had a heart attack, almost set to tears of joy that she would see one of her heroes speak. The honorable Mitt Romney gave a very positive speech and brought the crowd to their feet many times. My friend Hannah did not move an inch; I have never seen someone so focused on one thing in my life. The rest of the day was spent with a friend Katherine, another excited conservative. As we strolled through the exhibit halls we had conversations about what each booth was representing, even though most of the time we did not agree, I could understand where she came from. Besides speakers, I sat in on a few panels –including school choice. Tim Pawlenty and Ron Paul closed my afternoon at CPAC and gave two very different speeches, which enticed two very different reactions from the audience.

The last day of the conference, Saturday, brought on anticipation of the results of the straw poll.  Governor Haley Barbour opened my last day at CPAC, and gave a speech that was warm and inviting, a thoughtful speech that brought the crowd to their feet. Most of my Saturday was spent with a friend, Gabby, who is President of her college Republicans. Walking with her and conversing with her brought a different view. Gabby spoke of the issues that she cared about, what defined her political stance; however, many of the things she spoke of were different from what I heard from others. Ann Coulter was the last speaker before the results were announced. Her words brought different reactions from the audience, from silence to laughing to standing up and applauding, my reactions will be stated in part two of this piece. After Coulter, the result of the straw poll was announced and showed that Ron Paul won. The room was split in half – some people jumped up, screamed, and cheered, but the other half sat silently or jeered. The conference closed with a heart wrenching speech from Congressman Allen West, a speech that brought loud applause and event tears from the crowd.

I invite all the readers of this blog to read Part 2, which will include my feelings and reactions to the weekend. It may not be what you think!

Stay honest and keep those around you honest,

-          - Josh