The Associated Press reports on yesterday's highlights of the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Republican national chairman Ken Mehlman roused the crowd, telling them that under President Bush, the U.S. had finally responded to decades of terrorist attacks:
"For a generation, terrorists learned they could make war on free nations without fear of war in return," Mehlman said, adding that Bush understood how to respond. "On Sept. 12, the terrorists got war in return."
[. . .]
The fight against terrorism is centered in Iraq, Mehlman said, and the only way to prevent terrorists from taking charge there is to stick it out and win.
He quoted Democratic chairman Howard Dean saying that the idea the United States can win in Iraq is wrong and reminded that Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., accused American soldiers of "terrorizing women and children."
"Democratic leaders always seem to blame America first," Mehlman said, "especially when a Republican is in the White House."
Mehlman said the loss in popularity of the mainstream media — both the evening network news and daily newspapers — is an opportunity for conservatives.
John R. Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, keynoted the conference dinner, sketching out the Bush administration's efforts to reform the U.N. Bolton's focused waste and abuse of peacekeeping operations, the "culture of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel" pervading the United Nations and 's nuclear ambitions. Bolton said should follow Libya's lead, end its pursuit of unconventional weapons.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told the Conference he plans to push for a Senate vote in May on the inheritance tax, a June 5 vote on "the marriage protection amendment" seeking to amend the Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will deliver the closing speech this evening. Gingrich is expected to outline five major thematic challenges that Americans must confront:
Ethics Reform: Gingrich will call for the repeal of the speech-limiting McCain-Feingold campaign-finance law and an end to DC fundraisers for members of Congress.
National Security: Gingrich will call for the replacement of the ian regime and will urge the administration to issue an ultimatum to Hamas to recognize the state of Israel and reject all forms of terrorism.
Global Competition: Gingrich will call for a 7 year deadline for returning to a balanced Federal Budget while making the tax cuts permanent. Gingrich will also call for entitlement reform, including the right of every young American to choose a Personal Social Security Savings Account.
Immigration and Border Control: Gingrich will offer a comprehensive and sensible solution for immigration and border security.
Courts: Gingrich will call for the reestablishment of a constitutional balance among the three branches of government by balancing the Supreme Court in those cases where the Legislative and Executive branches have found that the Court has made a constitutional error.
Could be a rousing conclusion.
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