The most powerful members of the Republican Party will gather later this week in Washington, D.C. for CPAC 2012.

The Conservative Political Action Conference starts Thursday and runs though Saturday.

The conference will debate several questions including: "Is America still an exceptional nation?"; "From Fidel to Chavez: How do we stop the resurgence of socialism in Latin America"; and "Is the Arab spring good or bad for America?"

The all-star Republican cast of speakers includes former Gov. Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, former Sen. Rick Santorum and Herman Cain.

House Speaker John Boehner, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, Lt. Col. Oliver North, Joe the Plumber, Ann Coulter, U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and U.S. Rep. Allen West will also speak.

The conference will end with a presidential straw poll on Saturday night.