GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) \u2014 For the first time in nearly a decade, President Donald Trump did not attend one of the biggest annual meetings of conservatives. But even in his absence, the Conservative Political Action Conference revolved around him.<\/p>\n
There were disagreements over his war with Iran<\/a>, pride over his immigration crackdown and lots of encouragement to avoid infighting as the Republican Party faces a difficult midterm election.<\/a><\/p>\n It was a contrast with last year’s gathering<\/a>, when conservatives were riding high after Trump’s return to office and Elon Musk waved a chain saw to symbolize his new role leading the Department of Government Efficiency.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at some of the key moments.<\/p>\n \u2018Save that for the socialists\u2019<\/p>\n From the conference’s opening moments, speaker after speaker appealed for unity.<\/p>\n \u201cThey want us divided,\u201d warned Mercedes Schlapp, a senior fellow at CPAC whose husband, Matt, chairs the organization.<\/p>\n Evangelist Franklin Graham said the war with Iran represents a \u201ccritical time for our country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe can discuss our differences, but do it with respect without attacking and tearing down the other person,\u201d he said. \u201cSave that for the socialists.\u201d<\/p>\n Conservative influencer Benny Johnson said he was \u201cwell aware\u201d of debates within the conservative movement but said Trump’s supporters should focus on his victories, such as tighter border security.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to establish something very clearly here that your enemy is not the people that you have good-faith disagreements with inside your movement,\u201d he said. \u201cYour enemy is the Marxist, and they\u2019re going to be running against us hard in the midterms and in 2028.\u201d<\/p>\n Warnings about war<\/p>\n It was clear, however, that the conservative movement was not on the same page about war with Iran. While there was little criticism of Trump, some warned against deepening the conflict.<\/p>\n \u201cA ground invasion of Iran will make our country poorer and less safe. It will mean higher gas prices, higher food prices, and I\u2019m not sure we would end up killing more terrorists than we would create,\u201d said former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.<\/p>\n Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump ally, said that \u201cthe decision in going forward is obviously the commander in chief\u2019s,\u201d but he suggested that the American people still need to be convinced.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to be convinced that this is the right thing to do, particularly now that we\u2019re on the eve of potentially the insertion of American combat troops,\u201d he said. \u201cYour sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons could be on Kharg Island<\/a> or holding a beachhead down by the Strait of Hormuz.<\/a> \u201d<\/p>\n Recent polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research<\/a> shows that Trump risks frustrating his voters if gas prices continue rising as the country faces the kind of prolonged war in the Middle East that he promised to avoid<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Thank you, Trump\u2019<\/p>\n Hundreds of Iranian Americans who support U.S. military action in Iran attended the conference and frequently had impromptu pro-war demonstrations.<\/p>\n The crowds included roaring chants of, \u201cThank you, Trump! Thank you, Trump!\u201d<\/p>\n David Mansouri, an Iranian immigrant and U.S. citizen who lives in Plano, Texas, described the conflict as a war of liberation that could lay the groundwork for a new American ally in the Middle East.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the best time to make America great again,\u201d Mansouri said, describing Iran as the \u201cbiggest part of the puzzle.\u201d<\/p>\n Applause for immigration crackdown<\/p>\n