While there, students attended seminars on topics ranging from economic policies to border security, sustainable natural gas to the Constitution and its timeless principles. Group members met prominent leaders such as businessman Herman Cain, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Member of the European Parliament Daniel Hannan. They also had the opportunity to network with close to 5,000 fellow collegians from across the United States and around the world.

For some students, such as human biology senior Erin Rash, it was their first trip to Washington, D.C. “The conference, the people, the landmarks,” said Rash of the off-campus activism rendezvous, “I loved it all. What an incredible experience.”

Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich addressed the convention on the main floor. All three men had a contingency of followers throughout the weekend.

Heading into the national event, Santorum, a former senator from Pennsylvania, appeared to have gained ground in the tightening race; he won a trio of elections last Tuesday. However, Michigan native Romney also attracted a vocal bunch, consisting mostly of college students, who chanted “Mitt! Mitt! Mitt!” in the halls of the Marriott Wardman Park hotel.

Libertarian-minded candidate Ron Paul opted against speaking to the 11,000 or so attendees this time. Instead, the Texas congressman campaigned in Maine, where he finished second in its Feb. 11 caucuses behind Romney.

A noticeable crowd gathered outside the venue near the Metro transit entrance in support of more government programs. On-site reports indicate individuals were compensated $60 for their effort.
Protesters displayed mass-produced signs that read “We are the 99%” and “Occupy CPAC.”

The American Conservative Union, host of CPAC, conducted a straw poll amongst conference attendees. Romney won the much anticipated vote with 38 percent of ballots cast, while Santorum finished in second, former U.S. House Speaker Gingrich third and Paul – the victor of the 2010 and 2011 surveys – a distant fourth.

The next set of presidential primaries will occur Feb. 28 in Arizona and Michigan. Romney, who was born and raised in the Great Lakes State, won in his backyard four years earlier with a margin of victory around 8 percent. Although the upcoming election is expected to be closer, the Detroit native seeks to springboard into Super Tuesday with an impressive outcome.

Upon return to campus, student Republican leader C.J. Demmer organized a Second Amendment rights training sponsored by the National Rifle Association this past Monday. A packed room of young pro-gun advocates became registered affiliates of the organization.

On Feb. 15, more than 100 Spartans and members of the local community gathered to hear Holocaust survivor Irving Roth’s riveting memoirs and to engage in an informative exchange of ideas, hosted by Campus Conservatives. On Feb. 22, the club will welcome Adam Kissel — Vice President of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE – at 8:00 p.m. in Wonders Hall room C-103.

Conservative activism in East Lansing is alive and well.

Nicholas Kowalski is a State News guest columnist and political theory junior. Reach him at kowal112@msu.edu.