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College GOP represents Miami at CPAC

Miami's College Republicans attended this year's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held at the National Harbor in Maryland, continuing an annual tradition for the organization.

Both new members and veterans of College Republicans attended the conference during the last weekend of February. Members of the organization's Executive Board were enthusiastic about attending this year, and CPAC did not disappoint.

Chairman of the College Republicans, Alexander Cary, a senior Business Economics major, found this CPAC was a "very fun experience," especially the opportunity to see a sitting president in person.

A CPAC that was not consumed with election fever was a little more calm said College Republicans Co-Chairman Noah Johnson, a junior Finance and Marketing major.

This calm and, in the words of Cary, "very relaxed atmosphere," allowed CPAC to focus on other topics. One such topic the conference focuses on this year was unity and diversity.

Caleb Stidham, the Vice Chairman of College Republicans, said that the attendees of CPAC seemed very "unified behind Trump." Cary and Johnson both agreed.

The variety of viewpoints that showed up at this year's CPAC helped contribute to the overall diversity of the conference.

"It really is a mix, and I think that's what makes [CPAC] so interesting," Johnson said.

What makes CPAC special to conservatives is the idea that the typical political establishment of D.C., the people who work and have politics as their job 24/7, and the people who are enthusiasts, can work together towards the common goal of securing the "future of the party and the conservative movement," said Johnson.

The itinerary for College Republicans also included meetings with the Ohio delegation in Congress, with additional meetings in other congressional offices. There were about a dozen total meetings.

During these meetings, the College Republicans' Executive Board spoke with representatives' staffs and internship coordinators, about how to make opportunities available for the College Republicans' members, Johnson said.

"It was a nice time to take all of these political concepts that people learn about in class or that we discuss here at our meetings and really see them in action, to see how government works," said Johnson.