A Bisection of Conservative Politics in the Era of Division
Washington, D.C., will serve as the backdrop for a contrasting pair of events this weekend, offering divergent perspectives on the essence of conservatism in the tumultuous era of President Donald Trump, a figure who has fostered division within the Republican Party and beyond.
Principles First: A Call for Substance
Principles First, an annual summit launched in 2019, emerged as a response to the disillusionment among conservatives in the wake of Trump’s first term. It also served as a rebuke to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an annual gathering founded in 1974 that had become synonymous with unwavering support for Trump.
Principles First strives to recapture the essence of CPAC’s early days, when it was a platform for serious policy discussions, a launchpad for aspiring politicians, and a hub for young conservatives to learn and connect.
However, the conference’s commitment to substance has been overshadowed by CPAC’s shift towards sensationalism and a focus on personalities. The latter has proven more successful in garnering attention, but Principles First has gradually gained influence, while CPAC appears to have reached its peak in terms of controversy.
Heath Mayo, a 34-year-old lawyer who founded Principles First, voiced his concerns about CPAC’s decline as a venue for meaningful exchange. He lamented that CPAC had become "not a serious place" for intellectual discourse.
CPAC: A Showcase of Trumpism
In contrast to Principles First, CPAC has transformed into a celebration of Trumpism. Personalities jockey for attention by outdoing each other in their flattery towards the former president, while actual policy and governance play second fiddle.
Trump is expected to headline CPAC this weekend, following speeches by Tesla CEO Elon Musk and J.D. Vance. The event’s speakers embody the shift towards celebrity and sensationalism that has come to define CPAC.
Contrasting Visions
Principles First activists will gather to explore ways to counter the erosion of norms and the weakening of government institutions that they believe have occurred under Trump’s administration. They will focus on issues such as Trump’s tariffs on allies, his embrace of authoritarian leaders, healthcare costs, housing affordability, and the need for Republican lawmakers to challenge Trump when they disagree with his policies.
In stark contrast, CPAC has become a platform for promoting Trump’s agenda and silencing dissenters. Anyone who dares to criticize Trump or his allies risks being labeled a "global Marxist" and subjected to vitriol.
Historical Reflections
The contrasting visions on display at Principles First and CPAC highlight the profound changes that have occurred within American conservatism. In 1974, Ronald Reagan spoke at the inaugural CPAC convention and honored three men recently released from Vietnamese POW camps. One of them was John McCain, who later became a Republican senator and the party’s presidential nominee in 2008.
McCain was celebrated at CPAC decades ago. However, as he lay dying of brain cancer in 2018, he was met with jeers from the crowd when Trump disparaged him in a speech.
One might imagine that Reagan, with his iconic "Tear Down This Wall" speech that helped topple the Soviet Union, would be dismayed by the spectacle of CPAC attendees applauding Trump’s obsequious behavior towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and the reluctance of Republican lawmakers to challenge Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Erosion of Conservative Principles
Charlie Gerow, a former CPAC vice chair, expressed his concerns about the organization’s current state. He resigned last year, calling for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against CPAC’s chairman, Matt Schlapp.
Gerow described the early days of CPAC as a training ground for young conservatives and a place to network and witness future leaders. He declined to comment on the current iteration of CPAC, but his resignation letter revealed his reservations about blind loyalty to Schlapp.
The recent allegations against Schlapp, including an incident where he allegedly groped a man in a bar, further underscore the questionable conduct that has come to characterize CPAC.
A Divided Conservative Landscape
The divergence between Principles First and CPAC reflects a broader split within the conservative movement. While some seek to uphold traditional conservative values of limited government, individual liberty, and free markets, others have embraced a more populist and nationalist agenda.
It remains to be seen whether Principles First can gain broader influence or whether CPAC will continue to dominate the conservative discourse. However, the contrasting events serve as a reminder of the profound transformation that has occurred within American conservatism and the challenges facing the movement in the years to come.
