Retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, right, of Oklahoma holds a rifle given to him by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell during the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, March 6, in National Harbor, Maryland. Click through the images for highlights from the conference.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, right, of Oklahoma holds a rifle given to him by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell during the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, March 6, in National Harbor, Maryland. Click through the images for highlights from the conference.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called for the abolition of the IRS, urged the adoption of a fair tax, and said that "every single word of Obamacare" needs to be repealed.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called for the abolition of the IRS, urged the adoption of a fair tax, and said that "every single word of Obamacare" needs to be repealed.
Susan Walsh/AP
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey told the conservative gathering that Republicans need to push their ideas. "We've got to start talking about what we're for and not what we're against," Christie said.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey told the conservative gathering that Republicans need to push their ideas. "We've got to start talking about what we're for and not what we're against," Christie said.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Attendees sing the National Anthem as CPAC opens on Thursday.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Attendees sing the National Anthem as CPAC opens on Thursday.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Rep. Paul Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee, said that the left is "exhausted" and Republicans are energized. "And on Election Day, we're going to win."
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Rep. Paul Ryan, the 2012 GOP vice presidential nominee, said that the left is "exhausted" and Republicans are energized. "And on Election Day, we're going to win."
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Attendees gather during a break between speakers at the event, which was held at National Harbor, just south of Washington this year.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Attendees gather during a break between speakers at the event, which was held at National Harbor, just south of Washington this year.
Bredan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told conservatives, "We have long thought and said this President is a smart man. It may be time to revisit that assumption."
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told conservatives, "We have long thought and said this President is a smart man. It may be time to revisit that assumption."
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Vintage and modern Republican campaign buttons were available from a CPAC vendor.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Vintage and modern Republican campaign buttons were available from a CPAC vendor.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said President Barack Obama's "flawed foreign policy of the last few years has brought us to this stage."
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida said President Barack Obama's "flawed foreign policy of the last few years has brought us to this stage."
Susan Walsh/Getty Images
Andrew Bair, of National Right to Life, hands out material at CPAC on Thursday.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Andrew Bair, of National Right to Life, hands out material at CPAC on Thursday.
Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Two women pose is a photo booth with a picture of the U.S. Capitol in the background at CPAC on Thursday.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Two women pose is a photo booth with a picture of the U.S. Capitol in the background at CPAC on Thursday.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump weighed in on never ending 2016 speculation telling the CPAC crowd Thursday, "I think in 2016 you'll probably be running against Hillary Clinton."
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Donald Trump weighed in on never ending 2016 speculation telling the CPAC crowd Thursday, "I think in 2016 you'll probably be running against Hillary Clinton."
Cliff Owen/Associated Press
Texas Gov. Rick Perry wowed the conservative gathering on Friday, March 7, with a rousing speech. "It's time for a little rebellion on the battlefield of ideas," Perry said.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Texas Gov. Rick Perry wowed the conservative gathering on Friday, March 7, with a rousing speech. "It's time for a little rebellion on the battlefield of ideas," Perry said.
Susan Walsh/AP
Speaking to reporters Friday after his address at the assembly, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee seemed already to be focused on 2016. "Bill Clinton is not going to be on the ballot in 2016 or 2014. It's very possible that his wife will," he said.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Speaking to reporters Friday after his address at the assembly, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee seemed already to be focused on 2016. "Bill Clinton is not going to be on the ballot in 2016 or 2014. It's very possible that his wife will," he said.
Susan Walsh/AP
Stilt walker Joshua Longshore of Brooklyn dresses as former President Ronald Reagan.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Stilt walker Joshua Longshore of Brooklyn dresses as former President Ronald Reagan.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul used his remarks Friday to launch a familiar critique of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs. "If you have a cell phone, you are under surveillance," he said. "I believe what you do on your cell phone is none of their damn business."
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul used his remarks Friday to launch a familiar critique of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs. "If you have a cell phone, you are under surveillance," he said. "I believe what you do on your cell phone is none of their damn business."
Bill Clark/CQ Roll CallGetty Images
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, speaks during CPAC on Saturday, March 8.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, speaks during CPAC on Saturday, March 8.
T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images
An attendee is given instructions on handgun use for a video game at a National Rifle Association exhibitor booth at CPAC.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
An attendee is given instructions on handgun use for a video game at a National Rifle Association exhibitor booth at CPAC.
T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images
Conservative pundit, television personality and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks at CPAC on March 8.
GOP who's who rallies with conservatives —
Conservative pundit, television personality and former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks at CPAC on March 8.
T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images