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“Ron turned it on,” recalled Davis, who said federal officials later apologized. He now wants DeSantis to run for president: “He didn't have to do that for me. We don't share the same voting record at all. But that's Ron." Rodney Davis said he feels a sense of "protection" toward DeSantis because of the favor he did him during the closing fight nearly a decade ago. | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Before DeSantis was a phenomenon governor and a potential top-tier presidential candidate in 2024, he spent six years as a quiet, often awkward lawmaker looking for a way to move…

Despite the emerging field of Republican presidential candidates willing to take on former President Donald Trump, this year's CPAC was more unabashedly MAGA than ever. At the multi-day conference held outside Washington, DC, there was little sign the crowd wanted anyone but Trump in 2024. Many of the attendees wore coordinated TRUMP T-shirts. Vendors sold Trump bobbleheads and stuffed animals wearing MAGA hats. Guests posed for photos in a mock Trump Oval Office. CPAC's annual caucus features stars of the conservative movement, prominent Republican lawmakers, up-and-coming Republicans and grassroots activists eager to learn about the latest right-wing priorities.

Steve Bannon storms Fox News in fiery CPAC speech main image

Ten minutes later, Bannon went after the network again, bringing the audience to its feet as he criticized Fox for not having Trump since he announced his campaign in November. He called Rupert Murdoch, the founder of News Corp. who sits at the top of the media empire. “Murdoch, you have considered that Trump will not be president,” Bannon continued as the crowd roared with applause. "But we reckon you're not going to have a network, because we're going to fight you every step of the way." “Fox News illegitimately called him out because of the opposition, and not because…