Values Voter Summit
| Values Voter Summit |
Limit Government • Reduce Spending • Champion Traditional Values • Protect America |
| Frequency |
Annual |
| Years active |
2006–present |
| Participants |
2,000 |
| Website |
www.valuesvotersummit.org |
The Values Voter Summit is an annual political conference for American social conservative activists and elected officials from across the United States.
Values Voter Summit is hosted by the Family Research Council with numerous conservative organizations sponsoring or otherwise participating in the conference. In the most recent summit, 38 organizations participated and 2,000 people were in attendance.[1] The summit is usually held in September or October of each year.
History
The first summit was held in 2006. Among the key issues for values voters defined by the organizers are opposition to abortion and to same-sex marriage, and a strong national defense.[2][3] The Los Angeles Times describes the conference as combination rally, revival meeting, political convention and bazaar."[4] The conference typically includes appearances from Republican potential presidential candidates vying for the support of the crucial social conservative base of the party.[5][6][7]
Featured guests at the summit have included commentators Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, in addition to numerous elected officials and other conservative figures. Co-sponsors of the event included other Christian political action groups, such as AFA Action (part of the American Family Association), the Heritage Foundation, Liberty University, Liberty Counsel and Gary Bauer's organization American Values.[8]
After a "civil war" over the inclusion of the gay Republican group GOProud led many conservative organizations and activists to boycott the 2011 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Politico reported that a group of conservative figures were beginning to organize to turn the Values Voter Summit into "a full-fledged rival to CPAC" by expanding its focus to include economic and national security issues.[9] Several of the boycotting organizations are already sponsors or participants in the Values Voter Summit.[9]
The 2011 conference was held on October 7-8, 2011. All of the major 2012 Republican presidential candidates spoke except Jon Huntsman, Jr. Ron Paul won the straw poll, though his win was discounted by the Family Research Council. Businessman Herman Cain finished second followed by former Senator Rick Santorum.
Presidential straw poll
A presidential straw poll is held each year since 2007:
See also
Gallery
References
External links
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Conservatism Portal
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