(Thumbnail image: The New York Times)

"I've voted Republican almost every time I've gone.  I don't know what they even stand for anymore, and they've got to recognize that they have got a problem.  'Hello, my name is the Republican Party and I've got a problem.  I'm addicted to spending and big government.'"

As CPAC’s keynote speaker, FOX News’ Glenn Beck took to the podium—and a blackboard--to criticize the Republican Party.  In the speech--Beck accused both parties of progressivism, which he says is the source of America's biggest problems. 

We're analyzing media reaction from Fox News, Townhall, MSNBC, and CNN.

Conservative blog Townhall largely praises Beck's address, focusing on Beck's argument that Republicans need to strengthen their convictions. 

“Glenn Beck didn't disappoint tonight with his remarks … Beck's message was one of warning and hope; a history lesson and sermon all rolled into one.”

An MSNBC correspondent says Beck’s comments may be volatile for the Republicans, because he linked the party to high spending during the Bush years.  

“Sure, conservatives are fired up, but does it translate to support for Republicans?  Last night, a man by the name of Glenn Beck - yes, I said his name - Glenn Beck, had the keynote address to this group.  And he said, 'Look, the Republican Party has let us down.  I want them to come and say 'we are sorry' for all the spending that ensued during the 8 years of the Bush administration and the 12 years that Republicans were in power..."

A Democratic strategist on CNN goes even further, saying Beck challenges Republicans to become more extreme and that's not good for the GOP.

"I think that clearly his remarks last night were hurtful to the Republican Party for one reason.  They, the Republican Party candidates whether in 2010 or 2012, absolutely need the support of the crowd that Glenn Beck was addressing last night.  And what Glenn Beck was saying to them, basically, is that you're not going to get the support of this crowd unless you tack even more to the right, and that is not where mainstream voters are."

On FOX News, former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is more hopeful, saying although grassroots movements can cause an identity crisis, conservatives still have time to focus on uniting before November.

"I think the CPAC has become increasingly more Libertarian and less Republican over the years, one of the reasons I didn't go this year. ... I think, the Tea Party movement, a lot of which is good, in that it is a wake up call to members of Congress and to people in government that the people are listening, they're paying attention. Now it has to be channeled into something that is good government rather than just saying 'we're mad at government.'"

So will Beck's speech prove to bring Republicans together, or will the Republican Party fracture into subgroups?

Writer: Ben Stewart

Producer: Newsy Staff