There is a reason conservatives have been so success with new media, social media and spreading their message on the ground, and it’s one the mainstream media hopes you never figure out. The grassroots conservative movement, or as we like to say, “the new American Revolution,” is being led by Generation Y.
Steven Crowder, Madeleine McAulay, Hannah Giles, and Misfit’s very own Brandon Morse joined guest host (and Misfit favorite) Dana Loesch on the GBTV set to talk about what they’re doing to impact culture and bring a voice to conservatism, and how you can get involved.
On Tuesday’s show, Brandon explained to the studio audience that “the media has become this big boogie man [to conservatives] that we have to fight against, but it’s not something we need to fight against. It’s something that we need to get involved with. What we put into the mainstream is what changes the culture. If we, as a movement, start getting more involved in culture – movies, music, video games – I guarantee you things will improve at the polls and in politics.”
As we’ve seen first hand here at Misfit Politics, Brandon’s absolutely right.
Steven Crowder, comedian and Fox News contributor, also pointed out that the demographic conservative media is appealing too is, let’s face it, OLD. Steven noted the overplayed Goldline and Head-On commercials. Has anyone been able to avoid the ‘easy-eye keyboard’ commercials? (Seriously …who the heck is buying that?) Nothing says “watch my show young hipsters,” like a bright yellow keyboard cover that protects the keys on a 1995 Gateway desktop.
While Fox is worried about appealing to mom and dad, take control of the media narrative for your generation – get involved. Like Steven said, you don’t have to wear a bow-tie and be a Tucker Carlson look-a-like to be a conservative.
Be yourself, and please, be authentic.
That is far more threatening to the old guard on the Right, and to the Left we’re just plain scary.
So, what can you do to sell conservatism? Get involved in the things you already like: Music, movies, video games, art, etc. You don’t have to quit what you love to get involved in politics. Infiltrate the things you love – no one will see you coming.
Watch another highlight from Tuesday’s show below:
You can watch the entire episode FREE on demand at GBTV.com, just start a 14 day FREE trial. If you don’t like it, you can cancel within the 14-day period and you won’t be charged.
Yes we can be outside the old guard, but it does not mean we should not conquer them, and take what structures they left, ie the party, and restore it to what it should be. I am proud to be a Republican. It is the party of Lincoln, it is the Party Reagan. I am not going to let the “Old Guard” destroy it. We need to work within the structure of the Party to defeat the left. The rules of the game have been set, it is just how you play within the game that matters. This notion it an be changed from outside is to me far fetched. Power, money, and political moves will always rule the day, we just have to wield those and push the party right.
Also who is the old guard. Is it Rush? Is it Levin? Is it Steyn? Very curious to know whom is considered in the old guard. Because if they are, then you under estimate their power and influence.
Don’t get us wrong Charles, we respect those who came before us and what they worked for. All in all we are in the end “republicans” as thats what we as conservatives are fighting to protect, the republic. However, there comes a time when the tactics and attitudes that we bring to the table need to be brought into the light under our own banner because the “old guard” we referred to doesn’t want to take us seriously or give us the time of day. I see it a lot at events where many on the right would say that what we here at Misfit are doing is “setting Conservatism back.” (actual words spoken during CPAC)
It forces us to blaze our own path and create our own style and culture, and that’s what you see here. A new breed of Conservative, or as I like to refer to us, “Alt-cons.” We have a clear outside view of how we need to bring the right back to being the dominate mindset in our society and culture, and we’ll do it on our own without the republican party if need be.
i agree we need to blaze our own path Brandon, but do it by taking what they stole. They stole the party and made it lifeless. Being a former political fundraiser, I have my foot in both camps, both new school and old school if you like. Some of the most important tactics of the old guard are worth adopting and using it to defeat them in my opinion.
Elaborate on that for me. I’m not seeing what you mean clearly.
I think what I am trying to say some of the tactics and games the establishment plays are worth using still and need to be. Just used against them to take them out. For instance with Majority leader and Speaker. There is no way conservatism is getting pushed with McConnell or Boehner in those spots. We need conservatives who will use the rules of order with in each caucus to oust them.
Charles I think you and I are making similar points here without knowing it, unless I’m still not understanding you.
i think we are just in different ways, the one thing we lack which the old guard still has is $ and lots of it. We need to get better at having backers and in raising money to be able to be a threat to them.
I loved Brandons line, something like “We can tell the world that the Emperor has no clothes, but then they’ll just convince everyone that having no clothes is in.” That’s exactly what’s happening, just a few years ago, when a Conservative would claim that the Democrats are in favor of cradle to grave government dependency, they would be accused of making a straw man, but today the Democrat President is producing cartoons that literally sell that model, and those same accusers defend it as though that’s what they wanted all along. The absurd has become the mainstream.
This was a great episode. I really admired what the panel was saying about taking back the culture. I tend to feel traditional conservatives became so demoralized they went underground and allowed their enemies to define them. People like at Misfit Politics want to take it back and they know its an uphill climb. Keep at it guys and gals. I am with you.
what we really need to take back the culture is a big Hollywood conservative, young, powerful in the industry, to come out as a conservative so others to can come out. There has to be a big hollywood, music or sports star whom is conservative, can articulate it, and if they knew they had back up come out of “the closet.” You do that more might follow.
That is a point I’ve actually been trying to push. There needs to be a great coming out of famous Conservatives in music, hollywood, etc.
1.) Why the shot at Tucker Carlson? He might be the “hippest” conservative out there. In the world of politics, he is known for two things–the signature bow tie (hip) and being the most famous conservative Dead head (very hip, Anne Coulter is another member of the conservative Dead head crew).
2.) The “old guard” Republicans? I assume you are referring to what many conservatives refer to as the “establishment?” Please remember, we are called the “establishment” for a reason–the political philosophy we subscribe to, that of men and women like Abraham Lincoln, Barry Goldwater, Nelson Rockefeller, Dwight Eisenhower, and even Ayn Rand, to a certain extent, forms the foundation of the Republican Party’s limited government platform. We can trace our roots back to the “Party of Lincoln.”
The brand of conservatism that dominates the Republican Party today, that of Ted Cruz, Todd Akin, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry, etc., a brand of political philosophy that seems popular among the group mentioned in this piece, is something completely different, more closely associated with the Dixiecrats of the 1960′s, than with the traditional Republican Party.
“Apostate” is a perfect word to describe these individuals because they have turned their back on the true essence of the Republican Party. They seek to transform the Republican Party to something they’re more comfortable with (e.g. the Democrat Party that dominated the South from Reconstruction through Reagan) rather than adhere to the principles that shaped our Grand Ol’ Party–limited government, personal responsibility, and equality. They want more Ted Cruz(s) and less Barry Goldwater(s).
Equality Josh? Ted Cruz doesn’t want limited govt? Todd Akin doesn’t want limited govt? Or Paul Ryan. Josh just what are you talking about?
Very little of this made any real sense to me. You’re telling me I’m a closet democrat?
I suspect a Ron Paul type here with Josh. Am I wrong?
@Charles — No, I’m not a Ron Paul “type.” I’m more of an Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Sandra Day O’Connor, Scott Brown type. Doesn’t mean I agree with them all the time, but I find them to be the most tolerable figures on the political stage (even though two of them are now retired, but remain vocal on the issues).
@Brandon — You might not be a “closet Democrat,” but you’re certainly not a Republican. Of course many people who share you belief would consider that somewhat of a blessing. I continually hear people say, “I’m a conservative foremost and a Republican second….”
I do think that conservatives like you, especially social conservatives, have a lot more in common with the Southern Democrats (from Reconstruction to Reagan) than you do with traditional, mainstream Republicans–”the establishment.” Why didn’t this group of stay in the Democratic Party and try and change it instead of coming to the Republican Party and changing it (see the “Reagan Revolution”)?
Tell me how I’m like them Josh.
@Brandon — If you examine the political careers of Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Herbert Hoover, Ike, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, you might not find much on the surface in common among the bunch. Sure, they were all Republicans, but their political philosophies sometimes seem to be in direct opposition with one another. The one common trait they shared was their cerebral approach to the game of politics. As such, all of these figures were willing to work with members of the opposition Party to get things accomplished. Read Reagan’s journal, some of the best entries deal with him working with Democrat Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, to get legislation passed.
Likewise, Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond, Todd Akin, and Ted Cruz seem pretty different on the surface. However, they approach politics in a much more reactionary way.
“Our way of life is under attack and we must do everything we can to ensure that it is does not suffer. No compromises…”
Obviously, Helms and Thurmond are the post-boys for the Dixiecrats turned Republicans. They were quick to attack their opponents and unwilling to work them on ANY issues.
Today, there seem to be a lot more Helms and Thurmonds than Lincolns and Teddy Roosevelts in the Republican Party, especially in the conservative movement.
You take our unwillingness to cooperate with the left as being left? Interesting. I find that just like saying I’m unwilling to to spoil the child because I myself am spoiled. Your point is invalid in the way that you fail to realize that the democratic party of old no longer exists. It has been hijacked by these far left liberals that have learned from communist mentors and believe that more regulation and government intervention is the key to a solid foundation. Conservatives like me were created in reaction to the Republican party you represent not only cooperating when these far leftists wanted to push more regulation but even CAVING when you knew things were getting out of control. Because of this “let’s continue with business as usual” attitude we’re in the mess we’re in now. Your old way does not work anymore.
If anyone here is more democrat that republican, its the republican that actively wants to stand with the democrat.
@Brandon – I would never label you “Left.” Southern Democrats were never “Leftists.” Although they did favor growing government when it meant protecting their own interests (e.g. Jim Crow). Similarly, modern social conservatives have no problem growing government when it furthers their own personal agenda (e.g. Texas sonogram law). Neither Jim Crow nor the Texas sonogram law are Leftist pieces of legislation (the former is more fascist, while the latter is more theocratic).
A true “establishment” Republican is one that views Jim Crow, Texas sonogram law and the Affordable Care Act as gross abuses of power on the part of the government.
@Brandon – To kind of summarize my whole argument, “apostate” was a genius word choice for the author of this piece to use to describe you guys. You are all Republican apostates and I think you would all be happier in your own Party. That’s not an attack on you or anyone mentioned in the piece. I for one would love to see an election that featured Barack Obama (Democrat), Mitt Romney (Republican), and maybe someone like Rick Santorum as the Conservative Party candidate. All the far-right conservatives presently in the Republican Party would abandon ship to support the Conservative Party candidate. This would allow Mitt Romney to really be himself and attract moderates and independents presently leaning towards Obama. Obama would still keep his base, but it would be a great three way race and the Republicans could return to being the Party of Goldwater and Rockefeller.
I’m not in agreement with you that I follow the party vs the country when I’ve seen the Republicans abandon principles to work with people who do not have the countries best interests in mind. That’s a gross assumption that me and mine blindly follow whatever people tell us when I’ve seen too many Republicans do that. Also where is these accusations about Ted Cruz coming from?
Again, I’m not about to work with democrats anymore because under no circumstances do I think there is a democratic party. If anything, the republican party has become the old democratic party themselves in the way they would abandon capitalistic principles to save capitalism, etc etc.
There are certain things Josh says here that I agree with. Rick Santorum and, at times, Rick Perry tend to be “big government conservatives.” A lot of this is on social issues or, with Perry, the Trans Texas Corridor.
However, I’ve seen no evidence to suggest Ted Cruz is going to be a “big government conservative.” I doubt Mike Lee, Jim DeMint or Ron and Rand Paul would have endorsed him if they believed that.
As for Akin, based on the bills he’s sponsored (Balance Budget Amendment) or opposed (No Child Left Behind) suggests to me he’s limited government as well.
As for citing Rockefeller as “limited government,” you do realize Reagan and Goldwater opposed him for being too liberal yes?
You’re wrong, all conservatives are old white guys. Look at Misfit, we’re all old geezers. Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta get my walker and go to the early-bird dinner buffet. I’m late, it’s already 3:30.
hey there is nothing wrong with eating at 3:30 in the afternoon when no one is at the restaurant
“…and to the Left we’re just plain scary.”
I see self-delusion still reigns supreme at Misfit.
Hey Brandon, as a fellow gamer and conservative, what games have you noticed with a decidedly noticeable leftist push? I only ask because when I thought about it I couldn’t come right up with one. GTA IV definitely comes close I suppose.
Also, any chance I could add you on STEAM or XBL?
Assassins Creed fluff has painted communists as good guys and capitalists as bad. Literally. Also on steam is a game called Anno 2070 where you can either produce an industrial wasteland of oil and smoke or an environmentally futuristic clean place that doesn’t use oil. The latest SimCity game in development has the same idea and when a reporter asked if the developer was trying to push an agenda he replied along the lines of “We’re not trying to push an agenda but we’re trying to push an agenda.”
THE LIBS LOVE PUSHING THEIR CRAZY HIPPY COMMIE MSGS THRU THE VIRTUAL VIDEOGAME WORLD. IN THE GAME CALL OF DUTY, IM NOT MAKING THIS UP, U CAN ACTUALLY SHOOT AMERCIANS AND BE KILLED EVEN WHEN UR PLAYING AS AN AMERICAN. IN PACMAN, THE EATING OF GHOSTS ACTUALLY REPRESENTS THE ABORTING OF FETUSES. IN SUPER MARIO BROS MARIO USES DRUGS TO ADVANCE IN THE GAME AND IS CLEARY IN A HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS LUIGI FELLOW. THE EVIDENCE IS THERE FOLKS!
BTW I LOOOOOOOVVVVVE YOUR SITE SO PUNK ROCK WOOOO!
Brandon, Xenoblade, another hit game that came to the states finally this year, promotes a humanist viewpoint. It paints characters similar to Sephiroth as representatives of God, or Gods. Then literally goes on to push the idea that in order to “progress”, the characters need a world without a god(s). It’s probably one of the best rpgs I ever played but I could have done without the humanism.
I find that weird theme in a few Japanese RPGs.
Shouldn’t surprise me at all, although, Xenoblade gets a tad heavy handed in it’s message toward the end.
Ahh, right. Right. Some of the JRPGs can get a bit crazy, though others tend to be heavy on conservative values as well, and given Japanese culture that’s not too surprising.
And I totally forgot about Assassin’s Creed’s heavy liberal approach. Don’t get me wrong, at times the story is brilliant. But when the villains are Christians, either Templars or the Catholic Church, though Borgia was a rather sordid individual. Throughout the game they also completely misrepresented the Crusades, the historical facts behind it, and pushed the false narrative we see on TV, and in the class room.
Anno 2070 bangs the liberal drum quite loudly too. It is a shame, as it can be horrendously annoying, but the game itself is good! Such a shame. As a matter of protest I refused to side with the green peace nutjob faction.
However, I’ve always been pleased that in the Civ series a strong military and liberty were a stronger path to victory over communism.
Ugh. Forgive my typos. It’s a good ol’ 3 AM here, and my brain has refused to work properly.
No need to argue guys, you all are horrible, horrible misguided bigoted morons who haven’t got a chance this election. Good luck in 2016.
And we love you too! God Bless.
Obama is that you? Look we all know that you think you’re the savior of the universe but there is no reason to change your name to Jesus. Look everyone another leftard that has a Messiah complex.
Eisenhower was an establishment Republican? If I’m not mistaken, both parties lobbied for his candidacy and it was not a safe bet as to which one he would choose. Didn’t have much (if any) political agenda, often criticized that he spent too much time playing golf as President. Huh. I may have just given the O-Team a favorable presidential comparison to campaign on. Oh well.
I love that Steven called Dana a unicorn. Love it.