I welcome all these guys onto my blogroll.

Now to my reactions to the conference.  I think the most noteworthy aspect of the conference was the importance of the illegal immigration problem we're facing.  This theme ran deep and wide throughout the weekend.  Near unanimous disapproval of any guest worker/amnesty legislation was voiced on all sides.

A second theme I noticed was the effort to distinguish between "conservatives" and "Republicans".  The GOP is not the political face of the conservative movement, and the two are at odds right now more than perhaps they have been in recent memory.  While it's true the GOP reflects conservative ideals better than other political parties, conservatives themselves have many quarrels with the direction in which the party seems to be moving.  My own reaction is one cautious optimism that these disagreements will not ultimately significantly injure the party's chances in upcoming elections.  If there is a significant backlash, this immigration problem will be the catalyst.  I think that much is clear from the tone and content of this weekend's conference.

Moving on to the speakers.  I'm disappointed that I missed Rep. Virginia Foxx's speech Saturday morning.  From what I hear it was excellent.  I did get to hear both J.D. Hayworth and George Allen speak.  I thought Hayworth was much more passionate and effective in his address - not that Allen wasn't great.  Hayworth just had that fire about him.  It wouldn't surprise me to him mentioned as a potential presidential candidate some time soon.

Senator Allen is the focus of the current presidential election cycle, however, and my one serious misgiving about him is the office he now holds.  Senators have a real hard time getting elected to the White House.  Ideologically and character-wise, I would have little issue with him representing the GOP in 2008.  I'm just not sure he is electable.  Of course, past results do not assure future performance, and he might buck the trend.  I hope he will if he gets the nomination; I think he'd make a great president.

In closing, let me share some personal notes from the conference.  One of the forums I attended discussed talk radio.  Bill Lumaye, Raleigh's own late-afternoon talk show host, was there.  I was able to chat with him and restart a conservation Lorie Byrd of Polipundit, another North Carolina native and blogger, had begun with him last year.  To make a long story short, Lorie, Betsy Newmark and I will probably join Bill on his show in the near future.  That should be very exciting.

I also got the chance to meet J.D. Hayworth and his parents and talk with them for about 20 or 30 minutes Friday night.  On Saturday, I met with Barbara Holt, president of NC Right to Life.  I shared with her about my upcoming book and discussed some of the issues facing the right-to-life movement.  Our conservation was a very encouraging.  She is a delightful lady.

All in all, the conference was a resounding success.  I look forward to attending many more functions sponsored by the Civitas Institute in the future.