conservative political action conference for the first public speech since losing the 2019 election. urged republicans to raise their heads and renew the fight. >> it's fashionable in some circles to be pessimistic about america. about conservative solutions. about the republican party. i utterly reject pessimism. >> we may not have carried on november 7 but we haven't lost the country we love. and we have not lost our way. >> the right tries to expand the appeal to minorities and women, romney's former running mate argues the g.o.p. needs to replace lip service with real action. >> we can't just talk about communities. we have to talk with them. we have to engage them. leaders don't just speak up. they listen, too. >> day after florida senator marco rubio who personally opposes gay marriage says it should be up to the states to decide. same time, rand paul urged the g.o.p. to be considerate of the liberty in the social sphere.