Use of big - city Republican speakers makes them impossible to ignore . Ron Paul 's straw poll victory raises profile and expectations . Even as Paul is scrutinized as 2016 contender , Obama still CPAC 's top candidate .
Confluence of big-name Republican speakers makes CPAC impossible to ignore . Rand Paul 's straw poll win raises profile and expectations . Even as Clinton is scrutinized as 2016 contender , Obama still CPAC 's top bogeyman .