The conference straw poll results released on Saturday showed pronounced splits on who the base would like to see as the GOP presidential nominee in 2028. A majority, 53%, chose Vance, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in second place with 35% support. It was the second year in a row that Vance topped the straw poll. For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest annual meetings of conservatives.
But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference revolved around him. There were disagreements over his war with, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election. It was a contrast with last year’s gathering, when conservatives were riding high after Trump’s return to office and Elon Musk waved a chain saw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
