Former CPAC Director Does Comicon

Brett R. Smith
Brett R. Smith

From 2006 to 2011, I was the Director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). CPAC is often been described as being like the Mos Eisley Cantina. I suppose that makes gay organizations the droids of CPAC. Thought some may have meant the comparison as an insult, I’ve always thought that CPAC’s gathering of misfits and nerds of various generations was an asset, not a liability.

This year the Wall Street Journal wrote, “Republicans treat the annual gathering known as the Conservative Political Action Conference like a giant convention, collecting swag and dressing up — it’s not unlike the powwow of comic book fans who unite for ComicCon.”

I’ll soon find out because I’m attending the Phoenix Comicon, held May 28-31. Comicons now encompass more than comics, much like CPAC encompasses more than just politics (when it’s most successful, anyway). Just walking through the hotel lobby I’ve seen people with Star Trek t-shirts, a Storm Trooper, families with kids dressed in Marvel character shirts, and fans who are just here to buy merchandise.

Over the next few days I’ll be writing from Phoenix Comicon exclusively for Breitbart on subjects including:

  • What conservative events can learn from Comicon
  • How CPAC and Comicon deal with changing demographics
  • Interview with a conservative (and sexy) cosplayer
  • Interviews with Marvel and DC Comics artists
  • My connection to a sci-fi icon
  • Political correctness and comics
  • Challenges both CPAC and Comicon face from the media

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