Most of the biggest names in Republican presidential politics are skipping CPAC this year – an event that usually serves as an early proving ground for candidates trying to fire up the party’s activist base. One longtime Republican with eyes on the White House – Sen. Ted Cruz – is making the most of it, soaking up the available limelight. President Trump wasn’t expected to attend, with plans to fly to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend after speaking at the Saudi-backed Future Investment Initiative