GRAPEVINE, Texas — A generational divide over the Iran war emerged on Thursday between older attendees and their political heirs at this year’s session Conservative Political Action ConferenceThe group’s leaders called for unity in Difficult midterm An election year for Republicans.
Young conservatives spoke of disappointment and even “betrayal” by President Donald Trump’s monetary policy rollout Strikes against IranHe said in interviews with The Associated Press that the president’s actions contradict his many pledges to oppose foreign entanglements.
Meanwhile, older conservatives have been dismissive of the Trump campaign’s criticism of military action to overthrow foreign regimes, saying the war in Iran is a practical action forced by threats to the United States.
The bright line emerged in conversations with dozens of participants from both ends of the age spectrum who gathered for the annual governors’ meeting, held outside Dallas. The divide may reflect weak enthusiasm for Trump among some younger voters, a potentially troubling sign for Republicans heading into the midterms and for the conservative movement looking to build after Trump’s term.
“We didn’t want to see more wars,” said Benjamin Williams, a 25-year-old marketing specialist with Young Americans for Freedom. “We wanted actual America First policies, and Trump was very clear about that.” “It feels like a betrayal, for sure.”
Williams, from Austin, Texas, worries about his friends in the military, especially his brother, an Air Force officer. More broadly, he sees the war as an unnecessary disruption to stability in the Middle East, which could have long-term negative effects on the American economy.
“Trump’s speech was very important for people of my generation,” Williams said.
Sean O’Brien, a sophomore at Auburn University, declined in support of Trump, especially with talk of sending American forces to the Middle East. “I’m not happy,” he said.
He said sending troops to Iran “would be a complete betrayal.”
At least in light of American military preparations for deployment 1,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division “I’m heading to the Middle East in the coming days, and that’s what keeps me up at night,” O’Brien said.
Older participants in the Political Action Conference were much more tolerant, describing Trump as responding wisely to what they described as the threat posed by Iran. In fact, many of them pointed out that it was not Trump who started the war, but rather Iran decades ago.
“I don’t think he started a new war,” said Joe Robar, a 70-year-old retired defense contractor from McKinney, Texas. “He was acting in response to a war that Iran has been waging for 40 years.” “How long were we supposed to wait? I think he did what he had to do when he had to do it.”
“Do nothing? I’m not for that,” Robar said.
Echoing a common theme among older participants, Kelly Phillips said Trump’s decision was a pragmatic response to a real threat that undermines the best hopes of campaign rhetoric.
“You campaign based on what you want to do, and then the dynamics of the world happen,” said Phillips, a 61-year-old author and religious teacher from Frisco, Texas. “I think the difference is if you have someone in the Iranian regime who wants to destroy America. You can’t argue with them.”
Trump’s goals in Iran, James Sharry believes, are short-term and not a concern for those who oppose long, hard work abroad.
Shari, 61, also interprets Trump’s opposition during his early election campaign to overthrowing the government as a preference rather than a strict promise.
“I think he said he was against it,” he said. “Trump is a wise leader. He does what works. I support that.”
Cracks in the conservative coalition began to appear early in the war, led by influential opinion leaders such as broadcaster Tucker Carlson.
this month, joe kent, The director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Counterterrorism Center resigned from his position in the Trump administration, saying in his departure statement that “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran” and that “Iran poses no imminent threat to our nation.”
Right-wing broadcaster Steve Bannon, who is expected to speak at CPAC, has loudly worried that a prolonged military intervention in the Middle East will cost Republicans support by prompting some conservatives to sit out the November midterm elections.
This comes at a time when Republican control of the US House of Representatives is in jeopardy, and the GOP’s weak majority in the Senate is no longer as secure as it was a year ago.
A recent survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research He points out that although Trump’s approval ratings are stable, the conflict may turn into a major political burden for his administration. The poll found that about 59% of Americans say US military action in Iran has been excessive.
Conference Chairman Matt Schlapp acknowledged that conservatives are divided on Iran and said the conference’s annual informal poll would include a question on the topic. The results will be announced on Saturday, the last day of the conference.
“No consensus has been established yet,” Schlapp told the AP. “I think people trust President Trump, so I don’t think there’s any wavering in his support.” “But I think there is concern about where this will lead.”
Tiffany Krieger, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, said her support for Trump dropped from 10 to five during the war.
“The love for him seems to have plateaued,” said Krieger, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “We see our party divided and we are supposed to be united.” “I think this issue about the war has drawn a line in the conservative movement.”
Addressing Krieger directly, CPAC co-founder Mercedes Schlapp opened Thursday’s session of the conference in Texas with a direct appeal.
“We cannot be divided from within,” she told an audience of hundreds on stage at the convention center. She added, referring to political opponents: “Let us stay united. They want us divided.”