The Evolution of Conservative Politics in America: From Brat’s Upset to Today’s Heated Landscape
When Dave Brat stunned the political establishment by defeating House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia’s 2014 Republican primary, it marked a pivotal moment for conservative politics in America. Now serving as vice provost at Liberty University, Brat reflects on how the political landscape has transformed in the decade since his unexpected victory. The rise of the MAGA movement, increased polarization, and what Brat describes as the politics of “rage” have fundamentally reshaped American political discourse. Recent events, including assassination attempts against political figures and the tragic murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, have brought renewed attention to the dangers of heated rhetoric and political violence.
Brat points to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s comments telling supporters to “let your rage fuel you” as emblematic of a concerning trend in political discourse. While Spanberger has firmly denied encouraging violence, stating she “will continue to condemn comments that continue to make light of or justify violence of any kind,” Brat remains skeptical. This exchange highlights the broader debate about responsibility in political speech at a time when tensions are running especially high. Virginia has recently seen multiple reports of death threats against lawmakers, including Republican Delegates Geary Higgins and Kim Taylor, further underscoring the potentially dangerous consequences of inflammatory rhetoric.
The former congressman suggests that today’s political division extends beyond traditional policy disagreements to more fundamental questions about values and identity. “We (Republicans) believe in protecting the rights of all people. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness for everybody. We’re the ones where the Judeo-Christian West is the tradition,” Brat states. He argues that conservatives are the true defenders of minority rights, and criticizes what he sees as the left’s attempt to paint those with traditional religious values as “judgmental, bad people.” This framing of the political divide as one between traditional Judeo-Christian values and progressive ideologies has become increasingly common in conservative circles.
Reflecting on his own time in Congress as a member of the Freedom Caucus, Brat describes how different the Republican Party was before the “MAGA revolution.” He and his fellow conservative members were often viewed as outsiders within their own party, clashing with GOP leadership figures like then-House Speaker John Boehner and Rep. Charlie Dent. Brat recounts how the Freedom Caucus members were “backbenchers” who sometimes found more camaraderie with maverick figures from across the aisle, like then-Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard, than with their own party’s establishment. The Freedom Caucus’s willingness to challenge Republican leadership ultimately contributed to Speaker Boehner’s resignation and signaled a major shift in party dynamics.
According to Brat, two major developments have significantly impacted American politics since his time in office: the rise of the MAGA movement and Elon Musk’s break from what Brat characterizes as the Silicon Valley establishment. These shifts have realigned political forces and created new coalitions, potentially benefiting Virginia’s Republican ticket led by gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears. Despite these changes, Brat suggests that the fundamental political dynamics remain similar to what they were during his 2014 upset and Republican Glenn Youngkin’s 2021 gubernatorial victory. “So nothing’s really changed,” he observes, “it’s the same ingredients.”
What has changed dramatically, in Brat’s view, is the impact of political violence and how voters process such events. Unlike after 9/11, when a brief surge in national unity and religious attendance quickly faded, Brat predicts that the murder of Charlie Kirk and recent threats against lawmakers will have a more lasting impact on voters’ minds. He notes that Kirk represented a combination of faith and constitutional principles that resonated with younger conservatives, stating, “Charlie was all about faith and reason together in the university — that’s what a university is supposed to do is unite faith and reason.” If voters respond to recent events by embracing this fusion of religious and civic values, Brat suggests, “we could see some shockers in Virginia and New Jersey” in upcoming elections. This potential electoral impact underscores how tragic events can reshape political trajectories in ways that transcend normal campaign dynamics.
