CPAC is always an interesting mix of people, and in general it’s a good (though not exactly productive) event for conservatives. But the division among the ranks this year seems more pronounced than usual, certainly owing in part to the new-found prominence of the Tea Party and the ever-emboldened Libertarians.

Donald Trump slammed Ron Paul. Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin may or may not be having a feud. The Heritage Foundation and others declined to attend altogether due to the participation of GoProud (a prominent group of gay conservatives). Go Proud fired back, with the help of such big guns as Andrew Breitbart and Grover Norquist. Meanwhile, the Paulites booed everyone while Tea Partiers presumably sidled up to the bar in victorious glee.