Things are getting under way at the Conservative Political Action Conference this morning, and one theme already has emerged. CPAC day one kicks off with a keynote speech from Marco Rubio, a darling of the right who is challenging Florida Gov. Charlie Crist in a Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.
Rubio has been collecting endorsements from national conservatives who say Crist is too moderate to win a contested race for the open seat.
CPAC today will showcase not just Rubio but grassroots activists attempting to harness new energy among conservatives before the fall elections. Also prominent on the stage is Sen. Jim DeMint, one of the most conservative senators serving, who for the last few months has been choosing sides in contested primaries like the one in Florida.
“He’s one of us and he’s tough,” American Conservative Union’s David Keene said of DeMint (R-SC) this morning when introducing the senator, who will detail Rubio’s biography before his keynote.
DeMint told the CPAC attendees that he endorsed Rubio as a force for “American greatness” after Crist joined President Obama at an event supporting his $787 billion economic stimulus plan.
He said when he endorsed Rubio, “The Washington establishment laughed it off. Well they’re not laughing now.”
DeMint will have the stage to himself later this morning. His Senate Conservatives Fund has picked four Republican candidates: Rubio, Pat Toomey (PA), Chuck DeVore (CA) and Michael Williams (TX).
We’ve asked each of his endorsed candidates if they’ll be attending. Toomey can’t make it, but we’ll check in with the others today.
Also getting a CPAC audience today is J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ), a conservative who is challenging Sen. John McCain from the right.
Follow live updates from CPAC on our wire here.
Late Update: Williams is here and will get a speaking spot at the conference.
