US republicans and conservatives flock to CPAC – in pictures

A man holds a sign for a show entitled 'Walking Dead - Obama Zombies on Parade' Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

Former Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney acknowledges the crowd Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former house speaker Newt Gingrich holds a candle as a prop whilst talking about innovation and Thomas Edison Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP

A visitor holds a size-and-weight-accurate rubber model of a 12-week-old foetus as Gans Turner, director of American Victims of Abortion, looks on Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

A poster of former President Ronald Reagan is displayed next to the national flag Photograph: Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Activists from the Young Americans for Freedom roll up posters of Ronald Reagan Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the National Rifle Association Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Conference goers sit outside a 'breakout session' at the Gaylord National Resort Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

Jenny Beth Martin, co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots Photograph: Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Rebecca McLaughlin, wearing a 'Jeb! 16' sticker, cries after meeting the former Florida governor Jeb Bush Photograph: Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images

David Keene, president of the National Rifle Association Photograph: Pete Marovich/Getty Images

The Oak Ridge Boys, an American country and gospel quartet Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Donald Trump speaks at the conference Photograph: Pete Marovich/ZUMA Press/Corbis

This year's theme is 'America's future: the next generation of conservatives' Photograph: Pete Marovich/ZUMA Press/Corbis

Conference goers snap pictures of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

Callista Gingrich speaks .... Photograph: Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Michele Bachmann poses for a picture with a young attendee Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, holds up a large soda as she speaks about New York City's proposed soda ban Photograph: Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Young republicans with iPads take a test from right-wing group Generation Opportunity about economic issues important to them Photograph: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

Gloria Wist of Lady Lake, Florida, with the Association of Mature Americans, poses for a portrait Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP