Men and women from across the country are streaming into DC for the Conservative Political Action Conference – the largest gathering of conservatives in the nation – which starts on Wednesday.
These far-flung conservatives bring to our nation’s capital a fresh perspective on a whole range of issues, especially on matters the Washington elite too often pigeonholes as right-versus-left issues. Of course, everyone at CPAC is passionately interested in winning elections. But they also are focused on making a good living, taking care of their families, and building the communities they live in. And the view from the “real America” is often starkly different from the view from Capitol Hill.
Take energy policy. Too often in Washington circles, it is framed as an issue pitting Democrats against Republicans. But it’s not a conservative issue or a liberal issue. It’s an American issue.
As president of Young Conservatives for Energy Reform, I have met with conservatives in state after state. Business owners, parents, community leaders and others from every walk of life see policies that advance clean, efficient energy as essential to the Republican Party’s future – and more importantly, to our country’s.
