Dr. Ben Carson — the renowned neurosurgeon who made headlines when he stood by President Barack Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast and criticized his healthcare and tax policies — will be the featured speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
“Dr. Ben Carson represents the optimism and hope of the future of the conservative movement,” said Al Cardenas, chairman of the American Conservative Union, which will host the conference March 14-16 in suburban Washington, D.C.
“At the same time, he articulates the deep fiscal and social challenges that our nation faces. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Carson.”
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The conference — the largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists in the United States — will feature speeches and policy discussions “celebrating the shared principles of smaller government, a strong national defense and traditional American values,” according to Cardenas.
Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, is the author of five best-selling books, including “America the Beautiful,” and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
As he delivered the keynote address Feb. 7 at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, Carson lashed out at the policies of the president, who was sitting nearby.
The physician called for health-savings accounts to be created at birth in place of Obamacare, as well as for the creation of a flat tax. In addition, he slammed the nation’s $16.5 trillion debt.
Other speakers at the conference — at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. — include former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Heritage Foundation President-Elect Jim DeMint, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Also on the bill are Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
The American Conservative Union, founded in 1964, is the oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization in the nation.
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