Why Republican Presidential Candidates Choose Liberty University for Key Speeches
The choice of Liberty University as a venue for key speeches by Republican presidential candidates like Ted Cruz or George W. Bush is a strategic move rooted in multiple factors that appeal to conservative agendas and political optics.
Safe and Auditable Ground
Liberty University offers a safe and auditable space for Republican candidates, much like preaching to the choir. It is a school predominantly populated by young Christian conservatives, a demographic that aligns closely with the Republican Party’s target base. By addressing this audience, candidates can confidently appeal to the values of hard work, God, and free-market capitalism, knowing they are resonating with their core supporters. This environment ensures that speeches can hit significant milestones within the electorate, regardless of the specific candidate's broader appeal.
In Influence and Legacy
The school's leadership by the Falwell family adds another layer of strategic importance. Founded by Jerry Falwell and now run by his eldest son, Liberty University retains a strong connection to the Moral Majority, a powerful organization instrumental in the Republican resurgence of the 1980s. This lineage ties the school to a significant historical and cultural movement within conservatism, enhancing its perceived influence and legitimacy in political discourse.
Optical Benefits and Manufactured Support
Liberty University's mandatory attendance at convocations where these speeches are given creates a powerful visual effect. The candidatures can present themselves in front of a packed auditorium filled with people who align with the campaign messages, even if they do not support the candidate personally. This manufactured breadth of support can be used to project an image of broad-based appeal that every candidate aspires to, albeit one that is often highly constructed and transparent to critics.
The Appeal of Hypocrisy?
It's worth noting that the strategic use of Liberty University by these candidates is highly hypocritical. Candidates like Ted Cruz, George W. Bush, and Tom Cotton would not have chosen Liberty University for their degrees due to the institution's conservative reputation. In reality, a degree from such an institution may only impress Tea Party types, and thus, the choice of Liberty University can be seen as a cynical ploy to gain manufactured support rather than genuine intellectual unity.
Evidence of Hypocrisy
The personal history of Ted Cruz, as mentioned by Ian Marshall, underscores this point. Cruz is pathologically self-centered, far beyond the typical grandiose aspirations of a political leader. His self-centeredness is so profound that it has earned the ire of 90% of Republicans in Washington, D.C. This reality is further exemplified by the fact that students’ tweets from his launch speeches are destined to become the joke in D.C., highlighting the manufactured nature of his appeal at Liberty University.
Conclusion
Liberty University serves as a strategic venue for Republican candidates to connect with a specific and aligned audience, leveraging the school's conservative legacy and social influence. While the chosen venue may offer optical benefits and manufactured support, it also raises critical questions about the authenticity of the connections forged and the strategic motivations behind these choices.