Originally published February 28, 2015.
“Big Government Sucks.”
That’s the slogan of the hordes of young people at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
The lesson from this year’s CPAC was that if you wanted to win over this energetic crowd it behooved you to be succinct and rebellious — like that three-word slogan — when taking the stage.
Chris Christie used tough talk.
Scott Walker used down-home exuberance.
Ted Cruz called out every party save for the Tea Party for talking the talk but not walking the walk.
And they received tepid passing grades from CPAC’s most energetic demographic.
Jeb Bush, however, filled much of his time with references from the 1990's--before much of the crowd was even born.
So who gets the CPAC gold star? Only one man exemplifies that big government slogan — Rand Paul.
Paul did not disappoint again this year.
“I say that your phone records are yours. I say that the phone records of law-abiding citizens are none of their damned business.”
It hits a chord with a generation who’s entire life is archived in their smartphones.
But does it mean anything?
It may be that the best candidate should do well at CPAC, but not too well.
He should know how to play his kids’ games on XBOX, but he shouldn’t be so good at them that the other adults worry about his priorities.
By that measure, Scott Walker won CPAC.
Walker, who gave a barnburner of a speech, is respected by the adults in the room and viable across country.
Respected and viable — a succinct reason to vote for him.
Comments