Political conferences are a valuable resource for college conservatives, providing the opportunity to learn from some of the brightest conservative minds of this generation. However, what is a college conservative to do if these conferences take a New Right turn that they refuse to follow?
Donald Trump’s address at CPAC this past March included a number of character attacks and was infused with self-praise and cultish declarations. This kind of rambling, invective-filled address is now commonplace at conservative conferences, with the keynote speeches more Donald Trump than Ronald Reagan.
Kari Lake’s speech at CPAC was also filled with invective and conspiratorial thinking. Turning Point USA, a conservative group that describes itself as the “largest and fastest growing youth organization in America,” has also succumbed to similar trends. For the college conservative who rejects what MAGA stands for, TPUSA represents the worst that youth conservatism has to offer.
However, there are still bright spots at some conservative conferences. The National Review Institute Ideas Summit last March focused on concrete ideas and policy discussions rather than conspiratorial wishcasting. On the college level, organizations such as the Young America’s Foundation continue to provide serious events where young conservatives can have their voices heard and where ideas are taught and challenged.
The disparity between the two sides is unmistakable and suggests a deeper shift in the American-conservative psyche: a clear move away from serious conversation about ideas and policy and toward crackpot conspiracy theories. The Right has not only embraced losers, but crazy ones at that.
The solution to this problem comes from the fringe itself. The shift toward the conspiratorial fringe can be undone in some cases. CPAC maintains some modicum of normalcy that can be re-enshrined with work. The college-conservative institutions like YAF that remain bastions of normal conservatism should be embraced and fortified against the mob. Another option that is always on the table is to build new institutions, in conservative fashion.
Conservative conferences, when done right, are among the best options available to college conservatives interested in learning more about the movement they belong to. Despite the current troubles besetting conferences, they remain invaluable tools. College conservatives should work to retake and rebuild them.
