RALEIGH, N.C. — Ten months after Republicans lost the presidential race and control of Congress, North Carolina conservatives are discussing how they can reclaim political power locally and nationally.
More than 200 people attending the Civitas Institute's Conservative Leadership Conference in Raleigh this weekend say they're shaking off the frustration that came after last year's elections.
"It's bad and it can't get worse," said Francis DeLuca, executive director of the Civitas Institute, a nonprofit conservative group based in Raleigh. "Conservatives are optimistic it will get better."
Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform, reassured the audience that they can regain control of Congress in 2010. He proposed a new Contract With America with such provisions as requiring state and local governments to post online legislation, checks, contracts and all public expenditures.
"We're winning and we're going to win," Norquist said.
The conference will continue today with an appearance by former Miss California Carrie Prejean. Pageant organizers say she was fired for not making scheduled appearances, but Prejean maintains she lost her title because she spoke out against same-sex marriage.
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