By: Rebecca Witherspoon, April 13, 2025
“What doesn’t make sense is the willingness of some Republicans to sabotage their own party from within.”
That was my response when I was informed this morning that state level Republican Party leadership called an “emergency” meeting about something that isn’t an emergency and is nothing more than a power play to maintain control.
There’s a growing pattern where members of the “old guard” (for lack of a better description) are resisting change so fiercely that they’re willing to burn down the house just to keep control of the front door. Instead of welcoming the energy, vision, and grassroots momentum pouring into the party, they’re trying to choke it off—and it’s weakening us all. The natural outcome of these actions include less willing volunteers, less donors willing to financial support the party, less people willing to run on the party ticket, more and more losses at the local, county, and state level.
Let’s be real, the rise of organizations like Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action should be celebrated. They’ve mobilized an entire generation of young conservatives, brought energy to campuses, and played a key role in engaging voters under the age of 40. They’re bringing people into the fold who might never have considered aligning with the GOP just a few years ago. It’s been incredible to experience the energy at the local level and interacting with them has been inspiring and helps remind me that they are the future leaders of our party … if we only embrace them!
Yet, time and again, we see parts of the Republican establishment treat Turning Point as an outsider threat, rather than a powerful ally. From blocking candidates supported by Turning Point Action to refusing collaboration on strategy and messaging, this resistance is more than just political friction—it’s sabotage. And it sends a damaging message to rising conservative leaders: “There’s no room for you here unless you play by outdated rules.”
This isn’t just shortsighted—it’s self-defeating.
Are we really going to let internal pride and power struggles tear us apart? Because if we continue down this path, the natural consequence will be a party fractured into irrelevance. Some are already whispering about third-party movements or splitting off entirely. But make no mistake—a divided Republican Party only strengthens our political opponents. We don’t need a break. We need a bridge.
So how do we move forward? Here are a few solutions we can actually act on:
- Create forums for intra-party dialogue where traditional conservatives, new activists, and grassroots organizers can share ideas openly—not to win arguments, but to build strategy.
- Invite organizations like Turning Point to the table, not just during campaign season, but as long-term partners in vision and execution.
- Stop treating ideological passion as a threat. A wide tent strengthens us—so long as we align on core conservative values.
- End the purity tests. Not everyone will speak the same language, but if we’re all fighting for freedom, prosperity, and national strength, we’re on the same side.
We can be the most powerful political force in America—but only if we act like a movement, not a minefield.
The GOP has never been one thing—it’s evolved over time. From Lincoln to Reagan to the Tea Party and now to the next generation of America First conservatives, our strength has always come from our ability to adapt while holding fast to our principles. Let’s not forget that!
The question isn’t whether we’ll change. The question is whether we’ll change together—or split apart out of fear.
I, for one, believe we’re stronger together. But it’s going to take courage, collaboration, and letting go of egos—for all of us.
Musings By Rebecca 