By Mark Weyermuller –
“Awake Not Woke” was the theme of CPAC 2022 this past week. The Conservative Political Action Conference, commonly known as CPAC held their annual event at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. This conference is considered the largest gathering of conservatives in the world.
CPAC 2022 was many things for many people but the obvious central figure is President Donald J. Trump. I was lucky being in the right place at the right time being able to listen to the president in a smaller room beforehand with about 200 people. President Trump catered a special meal of McDonald's hamburgers, McNuggets, and Diet Coke for us there which, by the way is his favorite meal.
He spoke for about 15 minutes then surprised the group by doing some Q & A. One person shouted, “Will you run in 2024?” The President answered, “I cannot tell you that right now, but I can tell you that you will be very happy soon.” The consensus by most is he will run, but now the focus on the midterms.
After president spoke to the VIP room, he surprised us by jumping off the stage to shake hands. It was a little chaotic with Secret Service surrounding him and people pushing to get near the front. I did manage to get this blurry selfie. A few minutes later, the president spoke in the main ballroom.
There are hundreds of other stories and people I met at CPAC. The main ballroom is where the speeches took place continuously over the four days.
Outside are two media rows with one for television and one for radio. There are breakout rooms too where smaller panels and speakers meeting with small groups. There is a large expo room where vendors and groups have booths.
Some of the notable speakers included Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Ted Cruz, Senate Marco Rubio, Governor Kristi Noem, Congressman Ronnie Jackson and General Mike Pompeo. The “My Pillow guy” Mike Lindell was everywhere always willing to take a selfie.
During Ted Cruz’s remarks he said it was incredible to see a room full of people with no masks. Florida has no mask mandate and it’s unusual to see somebody wearing one.
Many people were decked out in various red hats and “Let’s Go Brandon” tee shirts. Illinois was well represented with Congresswoman Mary Miller, gubernatorial candidate Gary Rabine, congressional candidates James Marter, Ashley Ramos & Jack Lombardi, and Lieutenant Governor candidate Stephanie Trussell. Leslie Mandoza, a local high school student and Turning Point USA leader, was there.
A CPAC straw poll was conducted possible republican presidential nominees in 2024. Trump received 59% with DeSantis in 2nd with 24%. Mike Pompeo received 2% with all other possible candidates at 1% or less. Here is a Politico article with more details.
A highlight was news conference by the Moms for America. They did a send off on Thursday for a semi truck to join the truck convoy heading to Washington D.C. There is a mom driving the truck.
From their website: Moms for America® is a national movement of mothers to reclaim our culture for truth, family, freedom and the Constitution. There is hope for America, and it is you. Together we have the power to heal our nation from the inside out!
For more information: https://momsforamerica.us/.
Below – Mark with Dr. Peter McCullough, US Senator Rick Scott, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Papa John, General Mike Flynn, Arizona gubernatorial candidate Keri Lake, Congressman Jim Jordan, Actor Robert Davi, Nigel Farage
The last day of the conference Donald Trump Junior closed out the event with a speech which fired up the Patriots in the room. He was followed by Lee Greenwood singing his famous ballad, “God Bless the USA.”
Here is link on my Twitter page to it at CPAC.
More big news and dates to save include a second CPAC 2022 held in Texas on August 4-7, 2022 before the midterms. Anybody can attend this event. The Illinois primary will be Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The midterms (General election) will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2022.
Mark Weyermuller is a small business person, retired real estate professional, law & order supporter, tax payer advocate, and conservative activist in Chicago. He is a citizen journalist, frequent guest on talk radio, and regular contributor to Illinois Review.
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