RNC Midterm Week: A Parallel Discussion on the Future of the Republican Party
While the nation turned its attention to the inaugural midterm Republican National Convention (RNC) last Wednesday, a significant conversation was happening just ten miles away among key right-wing figures about the party’s trajectory.
FORUM, a leading policy debate initiative for the American right, hosted its sessions at the Rayleigh Underground on the first day of the midterm convention. Their goal wasn’t to compete with the GOP event, but to foster deeper discussions on relevant issues for the midterm elections and beyond, emphasizing the importance of uniting influential voices for meaningful debate, as noted on their website.
The panels explored a variety of topics, including immigration, Vice President JD Vance’s policy regarding stay-at-home mothers, the economic challenges faced by everyday Americans, and the implications surrounding AI and data centers. There was a palpable energy in the room, with representatives from different factions of the right engaging in spirited discussions. What emerged was a much-needed space for dialogues typically confined to online echo chambers.
Organizer Matthew Peterson emphasized that the political landscape requires action after 2024, noting the right-wing coalition still needs to define its approach to governance now that it holds power. He expressed concern that some on the right continue to act like they are outsiders in a majority they helped create.
The immigration debate kicked off the event, reflecting Peterson’s sentiments.
Hosted by John Doyle from Blaze Media, panelists included Ryan McCubbin from True Texas Project, Sara Gonzales from Blaze Media, independent journalist Breanna Morello, and Chris Russo from Texans for Strong Borders. They quickly clarified that immigration enforcement should extend beyond illegal removals and emphasized the need for Republicans to address the broader impact of immigration on American society. There was a consensus that merely enforcing laws without encouraging proper assimilation is insufficient. They stressed that immigrants should adopt American language, laws, and civic duties if they wish to benefit from the nation’s opportunities. Additionally, each new arrival should be considered in terms of how they will integrate into and potentially alter the communities they join.
There was a discussion about how a continual influx of temporary labor has significantly strained families. The panelists urged the government to reduce the foreign-born portion of the workforce, asserting that doing so would positively influence housing costs, wages, and job availability for American citizens.
This conversation was particularly relevant in Texas, where locals have voiced frustrations over rapid changes in their communities due to a growing immigrant population. Many neighborhoods that were once tight-knit have transformed into somewhat chaotic environments lacking shared histories or connections.
Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, made a compelling argument during the “Common Good” debate about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. He pointed out that rising grocery prices and rents couldn’t be resolved by a single election. Schilling highlighted that a society unable to provide affordable living for families with one income isn’t truly prioritizing the common good. He argued that Vance’s proposed changes to childcare subsidies represent a significant shift toward supporting family units, which have been overlooked by the federal government in favor of promoting the single motherhood narrative.
“I think what J.D. Vance is doing is reframing the discussion, shifting the focus from corporations to the American family directly,” Schilling remarked.
The event transitioned to a packed session focused on AI and data centers, featuring a debate between entrepreneur Joe Lonsdale and journalist Joe Allen. They presented two contrasting perspectives on what responsibility the governing right has to protect citizens from the influence of the technology sector.
Allen raised concerns about the pervasive power tech companies wield over the government. He critiqued the partnership between the administration and AI companies for international military actions and domestic surveillance programs, suggesting that widespread use of technology like social media has had damaging effects on society. He highlighted the negative impacts technology has on American children and warned against viewing all critique of progress as regressive.
On the other hand, Lonsdale pointed to advantages of AI, particularly in healthcare, where its implementation has significantly reduced diagnostic errors in cancer detection.
“I think there are already successful applications of this technology. For instance, AI in healthcare has substantially lowered the error rate in diagnosing cancer. That’s saved lives,” Lonsdale explained.
He mentioned how AI is being utilized to retrain American workers in manufacturing, arguing against the narrative that AI is solely about job displacement.
“We are, in fact, re-industrializing. We’re using AI to train our workforce to reclaim manufacturing jobs from overseas. Stopping this wave of progress would be unwise,” Lonsdale argued.
In an attempt to address concerns about data centers, Lonsdale echoed frequent pro-AI arguments, suggesting that this technology will develop regardless of U.S. regulations, and warned that opposition might benefit adversarial nations like China.
Interestingly, while mainstream media spent the week criticizing Republicans for neglecting everyday economic issues at the RNC, they didn’t cover the FORUM event where these exact matters were openly debated. This gap isn’t surprising; the left might not be familiar with witnessing a political party engage in constructive internal discussions.
Although the event didn’t reach definitive conclusions on immigration, family policies, or technology, it succeeded in bringing together key figures who will shape future policy discussions for public engagement. Peterson’s insight about being a majority coalition that engages in these conversations is crucial; without it, they risk losing that status.
Wednesday’s gathering in Irving illustrated that some within the right are moving away from viewing every disagreement as a betrayal. Instead, they demonstrated that it’s possible to engage in the necessary work of governance openly.
