Rove vs. Judd: A conservative trap

Photo by Gannett

There has been a flurry of media activity around Karl Rove and his rich Super PAC, American Crossroads, for its ‘attack’ ads targeting actress Ashley Judd.

The ads are in reaction to Ms. Judd’s exploration of a run against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. The Hill says the ads blast Judd “as a Hollywood liberal and pointing out that the actress currently resides in Tennessee.”

The media are salivating over this story – though not because it fits their stereotypical old Republican white man vs. liberal celebrity female. No, they see the possibility of a schism forming between the GOP’s Washington establishment and activist grassroots groups within the larger conservative movement.

In fact, media coverage of Rove’s attack ads on Judd are the perfect follow-up to earlier stories about Rove’s Super PAC formation which prompted headlines like: “Republican Civil War Erupts Over Karl Rove’s New Super PAC.”

No matter what you think of Rove or his super PAC, conservative activists warn that falling into this divide and conquer trap is exactly what the Left wants.

“What people need to remember is that no matter the method, we all seek common ground on the central issues of individual rights to liberty and governmental fiscal responsibility,” said Melissa Dawdy, a Holt, MI-based conservative activist. “We believe that conservatives, libertarians, and independent voters agree on these two issues even if they may disagree on the details.”

That is why Dawdy is spearheading a November “Freedom on the Sea” Caribbean cruise for independent activists, conservative leaders, and others who are concerned with the future of freedom.

“Our goal is to integrate what we’ve learned over the last four years, and promulgate intelligent activism, not quarrel with others’ efforts to accomplish the same result,” Dawdy said.

She brushes off the idea that Rove is causing a “civil war” of any sort and is confident the cruise will reinforce unity within the conservative movement. “We will prepare activists to persuade with the truth, use the words of the left to attack liberal ideology. We are going to engage the great silent majority of Americans who are about to awake to a new reality.”

The Freedom on the Sea Caribbean cruise takes place Nov. 17-24 and will feature workshops, panel discussions and prominent speakers spanning the conservative spectrum – including “Stealing Elections” author John Fund, hidden video aficionado James O’Keefe and Steven Crowder, who made a name for himself during the union protests in Lansing back in December. (For a complete list of speakers and cruise information, click here.)