The annual Conservative Political Action Conference gathering was once a bright, hopeful event for conservatives in America. In recent years, it has been downgraded in quality. Yes, there are some conservative ideals on display. But there's also far too much grifting showmanship. Instead of promoting principles, CPAC promotes people. This presents a problem when certain characters are only interested in expanding their fan base. It's not only damaging to the cause of actual conservatism; it's embarrassing to watch.

The Republican Party is in turmoil. In the November 2022 midterm elections, what should have been a red wave arrived only as a slight trickle. The GOP is largely rudderless. Absent clear purpose and leadership, the party yearns for the energy that the peak Trump era brought. This shouldn't be the goal. Former President Donald Trump continues to push the lie of a stolen election. Worse yet, he has many admirers who share his delusion. That some of these people will be featured at CPAC is appalling. Like it or not, CPAC is seen as a representation of right-leaning voters. To further celebrate the hysteria to which Trump and his sycophants subscribe is a grievous error.

Don't believe me?

Then consider who is included on the speaker list. That's folks like Mike Lindell and Kari Lake. Lindell is well known for two things: his pillows and his tireless efforts to uncover and substantiate some sort of conspiracy about a "stolen" 2020 election. He has no business leading conservatives. The same goes for Lake. She lost her 2022 gubernatorial race in Arizona. Since that defeat, however, Lake has taken a page from the Trump playbook with endless claims of election fraud. She denies her opponent actually won. Both Lindell and Lake, and others on the speaker list, like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) as well as Candace Owens, are unserious pseudo-celebrities famous for fanning the flames.

There is more than enough room for conservatives to have varied shades of beliefs on a wide range of issues. A big tent approach is not a problem as long as it is combined with competency and truthfulness. But major issues arise when the biggest players parade around, selling lies as facts because they're incapable of handling defeat. Criticizing them isn't the same as embracing Democrats. Republicans can't expect new supporters if the most prominent activists in the party are willful liars.

Conservatives should demand a party led by people who don't embrace deceit. CPAC is doing the opposite.

Kimberly Ross ( @SouthernKeeks ) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.