Last year, Donald Trump had a “scheduling conflict” and did not attend CPAC. Insiders say the campaign was concerned about the reception he would get. There were threats of protests and mass walkouts.

The media said skipping the event would kill his chances in the GOP primary. CPAC blasted Trump, saying that it was “very disappointed,” adding that his snub “sends a clear message to conservatives.”

The Trump campaign was more gracious. In a statement, the campaign said, “Mr. Trump … looks forward to returning to [CPAC] next year, hopefully as President of the United States.”

Promise kept. Friday morning, President Donald Trump addressed CPAC, and he received a tremendously warm welcome.

The president delivered a powerful, unapologetic, pro-America speech in which he defined his agenda, as well as the future of the Republican Party and the conservative movement. He needs to give this speech as often as he can. As much as Hollywood and the media mock Donald Trump, he is connecting with Middle America, just like Ronald Reagan did.

Below are some excerpts of the president’s CPAC address. You can watch it here.

Our victory was a victory … for conservative values. For everyone who believes it is time to stand up for America, for the American worker and to stand up for the American flag… There is such love in this country for everything we stand for. You saw that on Election Day and you’re going to see it more and more…

The core conviction of our movement is that we are nation that puts its own citizens first. For too long we have traded away our jobs to other countries. We have defend other nations’ borders while leaving ours wide open… We’ve spent trillions of dollars overseas while allowing our own infrastructure to fall into disrepair and decay… The era of empty talk is over. Now is the time for action…

One by one, we’re checking off the promises we made to the American people. We will reduce your taxes, cut regulations, support our police, defend our flag. We will rebuild our military. We will take care of our great veterans. We will cut wasteful spending. We will promote our values. We will rebuild our inner cities. We will bring back our jobs and our dreams…

Global cooperation, dealing with other countries, getting along with other countries is good. But there is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or a global flag. This is the United States of America that I am representing. I am not representing the globe. I am representing your country…

No matter our background, income or geography, we are all citizens of this blessed land. No matter our color, [we bleed] the same red blood of great patriots. We all salute with pride the same American flag. We all are equal in the eyes of Almighty God… As long as we have faith in each other and trust in God then there is no goal beyond our reach. There is no dream too large, no task too great.

We are Americans and the future belongs to us! America is coming back… God bless you and God bless the United States of America.

Pence Urges Prayer & Action

Vice President Mike Pence spoke at CPAC Thursday night. He gave a rousing speech, outlining the Trump administration’s effort to defend the sanctity of life, repeal and replace Obamacare, stand with Israel and grow our economy. Pence told the conservative crowd that “this is our time.” But he also urged conservatives to guard against complacency. He urged them to action, saying:

We must all of us rise to the challenge before us, tomorrow and every day thereafter. The other side is not sitting idle, and their allies in the media are more than willing to amplify their defense of the failed status quo every single day…

We’ve got to mobilize. We’ve got to march forward, as if it’s the most important time in the history of our movement, because it is…

So make your voices heard in town halls, with your family and your friends, on the Internet and social media, and all those places where commonsense conservative messages are most desperately needed, because this is our time.

From this day forward, to make America great again, President Trump and I need every ounce of your energy and enthusiasm, your conviction, your courage, your passion. And we need one more thing, if you’re inclined. We need your prayers.

The Chiefs Speak

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon took the stage together at CPAC Thursday and downplayed the media hype about power struggles and disagreements.

While Priebus comes from the party establishment and Bannon from the conservative movement, both emphasized the complimentary nature of their relationship, not competing interests. Priebus said, “I’ve got to tell you, if the party and the conservative movement are together — similar to Steve and I — it can’t be stopped.”

What really stood out to me in their remarks was an exchange about the media. Priebus expressed his hope that the news coverage of President Trump would get better, perhaps when the media’s liberal fever breaks with the passage of time. Bannon, I believe, was more realistic. Here’s how he put it:

It’s not only not going to get better, it’s going to get worse every day… Here’s why it’s going to get worse: Because [Trump is] going to continue to press his agenda… If you think [the Left is] going to give you your country back without a fight, you are sadly mistaken.

Every day — every day — it is going to be a fight. And that is what I’m proudest about Donald Trump. All the opportunities he had to waiver; all the people who have come to him and said, “Oh, you’ve got to moderate.” Every day in the Oval Office, he tells Reince and I, “I committed this to the American people; I promised this when I ran; and I’m going to deliver on this.”