UPDATED: Link to the Stage Right interview with me in the bloggers lounge has been posted. And a new post from Susannah Fleetwood on Right Wing News has been added.

Yes, I know, all of the CPAC 2011 wrap-up posts are supposed to be done one or two days after but I had some loooooong nights.

This was my first CPAC and, as such, my first live exposure to the pubescent Stepford hordes of Ron Paul supporters. Worry not, rational folk, he’ll never be president because most of his fans will probably poke their eyes out while trying to master the complex motor skills necessary for success in a voting booth. I didn’t actually communicate with any of them as I’d forgotten my Paultard Talking Points-to-English translation dictionary.

But let’s focus on the attendees who were old enough to drink.

My colleagues at PJTV had a prime interview area set up near one of the 500 escalators at the Marriott Circular Nightmare and spent the entire time interviewing stellar CPAC types like Ann Coulter, Michelle Bachmann, Dana Loesch and Andrea Tantaros. They interviewed some males as well but I have priorities. All of these can be seen here.

Of course, I managed to sneak in a couple of interviews for PJTV too. I caught up with one of my favorite victors from last November’s election, Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) at the FreedomWorks BlogBash. Here is that interview.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour graciously hosted several of us at a reception on Friday night, then chatted with me for a bit on Saturday morning.

I also had the honor of participating in a panel on pop culture and conservatism with Jason Mattera and Kevin McCullough, which was hosted by Lisa Mei Norton. I kept my opening remarks brief (yeah, me…) but Politico grabbed a couple quotes and, naturally, mentioned my hair.

Several people were kind enough to share some photos and these are posted at the Kruiser Facebook Fan Page. Check them out and give the page a “Like” while you’re there, please.

But enough of the daytime stuff.

Long after midnight each night, the Kruiser Kabana would open its door to the Sleep Optional crowd. The Kabana began last July at Right Online in Las Vegas and the tradition was carried on at BlogCon and the Red State Gathering. But it was at this CPAC that it became something much bigger than any of us may ever be able to manage in the future. Here is a quick guide to some of the blogs that were kind enough to mention it:

Nice Deb

Right Wing News

Glittarazzi

The Other McCain

“3 Reasons Why CPAC Is A Must For Every Conservative Activist”

Here is my interview with Stage Right in the bloggers lounge on USTREAM.

The greatest aspect of these political gatherings is the opportunity to meet the activists we’ve had the pleasure of working with online for so long. Politics can wear a person down, even more so when you feel as if you’re going it alone. Social media has given activists a sense of community but it can still be a little lonely. The conferences throughout the year cement the bonds we create online and, for me at least, renew the energy for the battle (Old Tone!). CPAC 2011 allowed me to put more faces with Twitter/Blog profiles than any other conference and I am very grateful to all who helped make my presence there possible. I hope to return next year when, hopefully, I will have overcome my shyness.