The 40th annual Conservative Political Action Committee wrapped up over the weekend. Here's a summary: It was mostly white, tilted toward older people, but with a good percentage of the young seeming to favor Senator Rand Paul. There were attacks on past Republican presidential candidates for being insufficiently conservative. Texas Gov. Rick Perry said so. Senator Marco Rubio seemed to agree.
Rubio, who gave his strongest speech yet in defense of the unborn and traditional marriage, said: "We don't need a new idea. There is an idea: The idea is called America, and it still works."
I still think the best way to unite Republicans and conservatives is to show what works. Showcase people who have been inspired by conservative values to make something of themselves, overcoming obstacles in the process. Minimize theory and maximize results. People are tired of hearing the same old arguments that never seem to get us anywhere. Feature overcomers. That's the way to unite a party and lead a nation.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: March 18, 2013
