Over the weekend, I took a whirl around the annual three-day Conservative Political Action Conference, grabbing literature, candy, cards, and any other free stuff I could find. I talked to people, too, and listened to a few speeches. Here’s some of what I learned:

Conservatives need to re-examine who they are and what they believe, according to one speaker. (I think this speaker borrowed a speech written for a different audience, crossed out the word “Republicans,” and inserted the word “conservatives.”)

Conservatives need to learn from the left, spend less time thinking about changing society, and more time changing it, says Tom Delay.

Conservative ideas are dead, according to Robert James Bidinotto, editor of the magazine The New Individualist.

America is a conservative nation, according to many well-received applause lines.

Roaming the exhibit hall is a great way to meet women.

The ACLU defends the free speech rights of Christians, according to the ACLU.

A lot of conservatives think other conservatives like candy. They might be right.

For conservatives who like candy too much, Governor Huckabee has some diet advice. He seems to know how to lose weight.

You don’t have to be young to join the Young Republicans

Jim Gilmore is the “Consistent Conservative Candidate.” But he does not have a plan for reforming entitlements—yet.

Mitt Romney’s student supporters are much better behaved than Sam Brownback’s.

John Cox is running for President. John Cox is boring.

The folks at Campaigns & Elections magazine have a sense of humor. They chose Las Vegas as the site for their “All Things Ethical” event later this month on ethics and elections.

Wal-Mart saves Americans $263 billion each year.

Ann Coulter the Barbi Doll seems smarter than Ann Coulter the person.

The PATRIOT Act can be a threat to gun rights.

The Sam Adams Alliance isn’t about beer. It is a fledgling network of conservative grass-roots organizations.

Private property and free markets are held in high regard by Muslim culture and faith, according to Imad Ahmad of the Minaret of Freedom Institute.

The organization Web Wise Kids has an interesting computer game that teaches kids how to use the Internet safely.

According to David Horowitz, the Democratic Party is the tip of the iceberg that is the American Left—more evidence that a little global warming would be a good thing.

Ronald Reagan Republicans outnumber George W. Bush Republicans by about 26 to 1.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.