Top Conservative Leaders Headline CPAC Conference

Some of party's top conservative leaders are speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference today through Saturday.

The American Conservative Union is sponsoring the CPAC conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just outside the nation's capital.

Presidential candidates Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Gov. John Kasich will be speaking at the event Friday. Sen. Marco Rubio and Donald Trump will speak on Saturday. Click here for the speaker times and agenda.

CBN's Abigail Robertson will be at the CPAC event Friday. Stay with CBNNews.com for the CPAC live stream and updates.

"The American Conservative Union is the nation's oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization, serving as the umbrella organization harnessing the collective strength of conservative organizations and individuals," the CPAC website says.

Every year, more than 10,000 people gather at CPAC.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker spoke to CPAC attendees Thursday morning about why conservatism is crucial this election.

"'We should all remember that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government.' These were the words spoken by our 40th president just after he took the oath of office some 35 years ago," Walker said.

"See Ronald Reagan was right," he continued. "Our founders intended for the federal government to have a limited role. They intended that the decisions in government overwhelmingly should be made at the state and at the local level -- closest to the people."