Marco Rubio keynotes opening of CPAC 2010

Graphic from the Facebook Group page for Marco Rubio for US Senate 2010. The group has approximately 5,000 members. Anyone can join.The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) – the nation’s largest annual gathering of conservatives sponsored by the American Conservative Union Foundation in association with the Young America’s Foundation and Human Events – announced that Marco Rubio, Florida’s former Speaker of the House will deliver the keynote address to the expected 10,000 leaders, activists, and students in Washington, D.C. February 18-20, 2010.

Former Speaker of the House Marco Rubio will appear on Thursday, February 18 at 10 a.m. The address will take place at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel on Woodley Rd.

“Our cosponsors decided to invite Marco Rubio to keynote this year’s conference because like previous keynotes Mike Pence and Paul Ryan, he is an articulate representative of a new generation of conservative leaders who we believe will have an incredible impact on the movement and the nation in the years ahead,” said CPAC 2010 Chairman David A. Keene.

“Marco Rubio is making a name for himself the old-fashioned ways,” said Keene, ‘by standing up for our shared conservative principles, and recognizing that those common values can serve as the oxygen that feeds a grassroots on fire.”

Responding to his CPAC invite, Rubio said, “I am honored by the opportunity to address CPAC and discuss how freedom based on limited government has made America the most exceptional country in world history. At this critical time, we must ask our fellow citizens to join us in standing up for these timeless principles and against the radical agenda currently being proposed in Washington.”

Marco Rubio will be joining other prominent conservatives, including new media guru Andrew Brietbart, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, and Rep. Ron Paul, among many others.

Glenn Beck will keynote the closing address. Beck has inspired conservatives--Libertarians, Republicans, Tea Partiers and Independents--by calling for 52 "refounders" to restore freedom and strength to the U.S.

CPAC is a project of the American Conservative Union Foundation, in association with Young America's Foundation and Human Events. The conference is cosponsored by over 90 of the nation's leading conservative organizations. For continued updates on the program or to register online, visit www.cpac.org.

Students can attend all 3 days of CPAC10 and cosponsor seminars and training events for $25!

Rubio’s momentum continues to build strength with a straw poll win in Gov. Charlie Crist’s home county. Rubio is opposing Crist in the GOP primary to determine the candidate who will face a Democrat for former senator Mel Martinez’s seat. Crist appointed long time ally George LeMieux to finish Martinez’s term.

The Associate Press said, “The fact that Crist lost in Pinellas County, which he represented in the state Senate and where he's lived nearly all his life, can't be a good sign for Crist.”

[Release from Marco Rubio for U.S.Senate 2010 Facebook Group, Jan. 14, 2010]