I attended the 2018 Conservative Political Action Conference this past weekend. This was my second time at the conference, the previous being in 2017, just a short time after my public departure from the Democratic Party.
So what is it like to have gone from attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to attending the largest gathering of right-leaning people annually? Not nearly as shocking as you might have expected or perhaps may have heard.
While it’s no secret that CPAC has been host to a slew of drama in past years — and even this year when Sebastian Gorka shoved a journalist early into the conference — it is, by and large, the best networking event I have attended since leaving the Democratic Party, and the most enjoyable one, as well.
Yes, there are some interesting characters in attendance. Yes, I ran into people like Mike Cernovich. And yes, moments like when Mona Charen was booed while speaking are certainly unfortunate. But it is important to stress, and important for those who have not attended before to realize that the vast majority of interactions are positive, and indeed, the majority in attendance are welcoming, engaging, and make the trek more than worthwhile.
So many seem intent on painting CPAC as some sort of pseudo-conservative, alt-right fest, but that just hasn’t been my experience. And saying this as a former Democrat, who was involved with campaigns like Hillary Clinton’s most recent presidential effort, I am absolutely perplexed by the frequency with which I hear others, including conservatives criticizing the event. In most cases, I might add, these individuals have not attended themselves.
For young people, more so than any other group, CPAC is an unforgettable experience where lifelong friendships are forged, and fruitful, impactful philosophical discussions are had between neoconservatives, paleoconservatives, libertarians, and even independents like myself. With the likes of Ben Shapiro, Nigel Farage, Gary Johnson, Jeanine Pirro, Sebastian Gorka, Mark Levin, and countless others whom activists would typically have little to no access, the ability to discuss the nuances of policy over a beer with the biggest names of the conservative movement is part of what makes CPAC unique.
Access is what makes this event attractive, but what makes it unforgettable is the reflection one has after leaving. The concentration of political power, influence, and interest in this National Harbor complex is difficult to fathom. While thousands attend the event, it has the feeling of a tight-knit community or even family. Like any community or any family, we debate the issues, disagree frequently, and even have a few among our ranks that may be a little “out there.” Yet at the end of the day, we are all there because we love the United States of America, and want to do what we can to fight for what we believe.
Those who criticize CPAC more often than not have not experienced it. It is an event that shapes careers, relationships, and opinions and it is unmatched by anything the Left has to offer. If Washington is indeed “Hollywood for Ugly People,” as Paul Begala seems to have coined, CPAC is the conservative Oscars – and it should not be missed. What’s more, however, is it should not be mischaracterized.
Michael J. Hout (@michaeljhout) is a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Up until his resignation to become an independent, he served on the National Council, as national chartering director, northeast regional director, and in other roles for the College Democrats of America. He was also vice president of the College Democrats of Massachusetts. In 2017, he co-founded Students for Free Expression, an organization that fights for students’ rights.
