CPAC is the biggest event for those on the right in politics, journalism, or activism. CPAC 2024 will begin later this month. Former President Donald Trump is one of the speakers. Many political and media figures are expected to attend.
CPAC is not alone this year. The same weekend that CPAC is held, “Principles First”, a group in Washington D.C. called an anti-CPAC.
According to its website, the group Principles First will host a summit at the Conrad Hotel on February 23-25. The event is “focused” on “advancing a more principles-based center-right politics within the United States.” It also aims to “rebuild principled leadership which serves our country and not partisanship or personality.”
Former Arkansas Governor Cassidy Hutchinson and former Trump White House aide Adam Kinzinger will be speaking at the event. The dates overlap with CPAC. Asa Hutchinson and conservative lawyer George Conway.
The organizers described the event as an “anti-CPAC summit.”
It is important to understand the reason behind the alternate event taking place on the same dates.
CPAC, which will take place around the same date in National Harbor, Md. just outside of Washington, D.C. will feature former President Trump, as well as many of his supporters, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, (R.Y.), Vivek, former presidential candidate, Jim Jordan, (R.Ohio), Matt Gaetz, (R.Fla.), and Sens. JD Vance, Tommy Tuberville, and others.
It’s not the first time Principles First held an event like this (and one that was anti-Trump and anti-CPAC). They also held a similar event in 2022.
Take note of the main political and media figures who attended the Principles First event.
- Mike Pence
- George Conway
- Adam Kinzinger
- Bill Kristol
- “The Bulwark’s” Jonathan Last and Mona Charen
This list is dominated by people who are united in their opposition to Donald Trump. It’s okay; people are entitled to their own opinions. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney have a less than stellar record of electoral success.
Donald Trump is a man who can drive his critics into distraction, no matter what.
CPAC will probably not lose its position as the 800-pound-gorilla of conservative and liberal events in the United States. What do the organizers plan to do when they no longer have Donald Trump? Will they continue to oppose populist figures who put America first, or will they “go gently into that good night”?
2024 is going to be a big turning point in American politics, no matter who ends up sitting at the Resolute Desk in January 2025. The success or failure of “Principles First” may well hinge on the outcome of that election – as will so many other things.
