The 2013 Conservative Political Action Committee kicks off this week amid a post-election identity crisis for Republicans, as party leaders and activists look back on what went wrong in 2012, and try to reshape the GOP for 2016.
This year marks the 40th anniversary for the conference, and offers some big names in Republican circles. Former Presidential contender Mitt Romney will emerge from his post-election hibernation, along with other fan favorites like Sarah Palin and Allen West.
But the theme of this year's conference is the "next generation of conservatives," so the focus will be on newcomers who represent the way forward for the Republican Party going into the next election cycles. Here's who to keep your eye on at this week's conference.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
A Tea Party favorite, Scott was appointed to his seat after Jim DeMint announced his resignation in December 2012. At the time he walked onto the Senate floor, he was the only black member of the Senate, and the first African American to represent South Carolina.
The ACU certainly likes Scott — who holds a rating of 96 with the group — and backed him wholeheartedly, urging S.C. Governor Nikki Haley to award him the seat, according to National Review.
Al Cardenas, the ACU Chairman, said Scott "represents a new generation of conservative leaders and the future of the conservative movement."
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
Rubio's star has risen rapidly since his speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention propelled him into the national spotlight.
The darling of both Establishment Republicans and the Tea Party movement, Rubio has been at the forefront of the Republican Party's efforts to appeal to youth and Latino voters, taking the lead on immigration reform and frequently showing off his knowledge of '90s gangsta rap on social media. He even managed to turn his awkward water-lunge moment during the GOP's State of the Union response into a meme.
With a 100 percent legislative rating from the ACU, Rubio has conservative bona fides, as well as charisma and a compelling personal story. Should he decide to run in 2016, Rubio would already be counted among the top contenders.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
The libertarian firebrand spoke at CPAC last year, but this week he'll be riding a wave of popular support after last week's 13-hour talking filibuster in defense of civil liberties.
The filibuster spectacle has elevated Paul up the GOP "food chain," revealing him to be an innovative leader within the party and a formidable contender for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
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