Whew! It was an exciting and newsworthy week in the Principles First lane and yet our country and world face incredible challenges. Several hundred of us were able to gather in Washington to discuss and organize for the future of the principled conservative movement. More importantly at the moment we are praying for and standing with the people of Ukraine as they continue to face a brutal Russian invasion. This crisis highlights the need for principled leadership at the top rungs of our country’s decision-making more than ever. Here’s what is happening in Principles First news now:
Success at the Summit. Attendees were energized, speakers were inspiring, and a stark contrast was drawn to CPAC in Orlando. We made news here, here, here, here, and many other places. Principles First was featured as a new conservative movement and as support for those whose principles cost them dearly during the age of Trump’s rule of the GOP. From LtGov Geoff Duncan (R-GA) to Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and from Bill Kristol to Alex Vindman, the speaker list was chock full of folks who made recent principled stands in the face of adversity. On all attendees’ minds was next steps. While the Summit was inspiring, we all recognize the vast distance we must go and the urgency with which we need to get there. It’s important to ask folks to join and, although Principles First has not officially asked for donations , we could use it if we are eventually going to get folks elected.
The “Great Sort” against Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a long time coming but, as Hemingway points out about bankruptcy, wars start slowly and then happen all at once. The west quickly reacted and many players, like Germany reversed 180 degrees from their pre-invasion defense postures. In the U.S., we had many on the nationalist right initially blame the U.S. for Russia’s aggression. Despite this, Republicans and Democrats now agree on denouncing Russia and turning up the heat with sanctions. The United States stands united with Ukraine, a noteworthy exception to almost all other recent reactions to major crisis including the Covid-19 pandemic. The outcome of this conflict and NATO’s continuing response may well determine whether the United States will finally return to a long-view foreign policy and away from short-sighted isolationism.
Primary, primary, quite contrary (or not). Texas led off primary season last Tuesday (results). The opposing narratives were stacked in the printer ready to go when those pesky results finally came in. In all, it was a timid rejection of the far right as Ken Paxton did not win outright and Gov. Greg Abbott held off MAGA challengers, although he was forced well into MAGA territory by his opponents and donors. Would there be an AOC upset repeat on the Texas border against Henry Cueller? Not yet, but there’s a runoff and Republicans have a decent chance in TX-28. Texas ain’t the Bronx. Maybe most surprising in 2022 is a guy with the last name Bush (George P.) made it to a statewide runoff. If anything, Tuesday showed a waning nationalist and isolationist influence, but it still remains the most significant force in Republican politics, at least in Texas. The next iteration of the GOP is coming and Principles First is focused on being an answer to “what comes next?” —🎵 Cue Miranda’s Hamilton King George beat. 🎵
Leadership on display: Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Principles First is about cultivating and promoting principled leadership. No one expected the shining example to come from Ukraine’s comedian turned president, but everyone can see it now as President Zelenskyy’s mettle is being tested with legitimate threats to his life and his family’s lives. He has appealed to and inspired the world alongside his people, who are fighting this war against Russian aggression. President Zelenskyy’s servant leadership in the trenches and spirited pleas for aide endeared him to his people and is winning hearts and minds around the world. His authentic example can be infectious — let it be so.
There’s much more to come from Principles First as the movement grows. If you are among the many who sees the problem with the current pipeline to political power and wants to encourage principled leaders to break through —Principles first is for you. Come join us!
Have something we should be reading? Send your recommendations for the Principles First Rollup to pfrollupeditor@gmail.com