Begun in 1973, the Conservative Political Action Conference, commonly referred to as the CPAC, is an annual conference of conservative politicians, pundits and activists. It is extremely influential in conservative circles. The 2009 conference featured Rush Limbaugh as the keynote speaker.

At the conclusion of the 2010 conference, Ron Paul was declared the winner of the annual straw poll. Paul captured 31 percent of the vote.http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33287.html Mitt Romney came in second with 22%, followed by Sarah Palin with 7%, Tim Pawlenty at 6%, and Mike Pence at 5 percent. Paul stated that despite the victory he was still undecided about whether to make another run for president.http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33287.html

• Mitt Romney 20%
• Bobby Jindal 14%
• Ron Paul 13%
• Sarah Palin 13%
• Newt Gingrich 10%
• Mike Huckabee 7%Politico: Romney wins CPAC straw poll (February 28, 2009)

Rush Limbaugh spoke to the CPAC for over an hour on February 28, 2009. The straw poll taken each year for presidential candidate chose Mitt Romney at 20%, but did not leave him the clear winner as four other possible candidates finished with between 10 and 14 percentage points each.Politico: Romney wins CPAC straw poll (February 28, 2009)

• Right Wing Nut House: "EXCLUSIVE!" John McCain CPAC Speech (February 7, 2008)