While the Trump-Vance administration continues dismantling the Deep State's stranglehold on America, it's worth remembering the conservative leaders who built the foundation for this historic moment. David Keene, former chairman of the American Conservative Union, stands out as a visionary who spotted and nurtured young conservative talent long before anyone else saw their potential.
A revealing tribute from the Daily Wire highlights Keene's remarkable ability to identify rising stars in the conservative movement. The story reveals that in 2006, an email from Ann Coulter helped convince Keene to take a chance on young talent, with Coulter writing simply: "You only have to tell Lisa to do something once."
That kind of instinct for recognizing dedication and competence is exactly what the conservative movement needed during the dark Obama years and beyond. While Keene served as volunteer chairman of the American Conservative Union, he was building something much bigger than any single organization – he was cultivating the next generation of America First warriors.
"Despite all the drama, I hope he never regretted it," the tribute notes, acknowledging the challenges that come with nurturing young conservatives in a hostile political environment.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the Left's strategy of promoting activists based on identity politics and woke credentials rather than actual competence. Keene understood that conservatism's future depended on finding young Americans who shared the movement's core values and giving them real responsibility.
The results speak for themselves. Many of today's conservative leaders – including several serving in the Trump administration – got their start under mentors like Keene who believed in meritocracy over political correctness.
As President Trump continues draining the swamp and rebuilding American institutions, we should remember the conservative veterans who kept the flame alive during darker times. Leaders like David Keene didn't just talk about the future – they invested in it by betting on young patriots when it mattered most.
How many more conservative victories might we have won if more establishment Republicans had shown Keene's wisdom in recognizing and promoting real talent?