Older and younger conservatives at CPAC are split over Trump’s war in Iran

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) 鈥� A generational divide over the Iran war surfaced Thursday between older attendees and their political heirs at this year’s , as the group’s leaders pleaded for unity in a election year for Republicans.

Younger conservatives spoke of disappointment and even 鈥渂etrayal鈥� over President Donald Trump鈥檚 launch of , saying in interviews with The Associated Press that the president’s actions run counter to his many pledges to oppose foreign entanglements.

Meanwhile, older conservatives were looking past Trump鈥檚 campaign criticism of military action to topple foreign regimes, arguing the war in Iran is a pragmatic act forced by threats to the United States.

The bright dividing line emerged in conversations with a dozen participants on either end of the age spectrum who gathered for the annual meeting of conservatives, being held outside Dallas. That split could reflect flagging enthusiasm for Trump among some younger voters, a potentially troubling sign for Republicans heading into midterm elections and for the conservative movement as it looks to build beyond Trump鈥檚 tenure.

鈥淲e did not want to see more wars. We wanted actual America-first policies, and Trump was very explicit about that,鈥� said Benjamin Williams, a 25-year-old marketing specialist for Young Americans for Liberty. 鈥淚t does feel like a betrayal, for sure.鈥�

Younger conservatives concerned about sending troops to Iran

Williams, from Austin, Texas, worries about his friends in the military, especially his Air Force officer brother. More broadly, he sees the war as an unnecessary disruption to the stability in the Middle East that could have long-term negative effects on the U.S. economy.

鈥淭rump’s rhetoric was very important for people of my generation,鈥� Williams said.

Auburn University sophomore Sean O鈥橞rien鈥檚 support for Trump has slipped, especially with talk of sending U.S. troops into the Middle East. 鈥淚鈥檓 not happy,鈥� he said.

Sending troops into Iran, he said, 鈥渨ould be full betrayal.鈥�

In light of the U.S. military preparing to deploy at least to the Middle East in the coming days, O鈥橞rien said, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what keeps me up at night.鈥�

Older attendees say Trump responded to a threat

Older CPAC participants were far more forgiving, describing Trump as wisely responsive to what they described as the threat Iran posed. Several, in fact, suggested Trump did not initiate the war, but that Iran had decades ago.

鈥淚 don’t believe he started a new war. He was acting in response to a 40-year-old war by Iran,鈥� said 70-year-old retired defense contractor Joe Ropar of McKinney, Texas. 鈥淗ow long were we supposed to wait? I think he did what he had to do when he had to do it.鈥�

鈥淒o nothing? I鈥檓 not on board with that,鈥� Ropar said.

Echoing a common theme from older participants, Kelle Phillips said Trump’s decision was a pragmatic reaction to a real threat that overrules the best hopes of campaign rhetoric.

鈥淵ou campaign on what you want to do and then the world’s dynamics happen,鈥� said Phillips, a 61-year-old author and religious instructor from Frisco, Texas. 鈥淚 think the difference is if you have someone in the Iranian regime who wants to destroy America. You can鈥檛 reason with them.鈥�

Trump’s goals in Iran, as James Scharre believes, are short-term and not a concern for those adverse to a long slog overseas.

Scharre, 61, also interprets Trump’s early campaign opposition to government overthrow as a preference, not an ironclad promise.

“I think he said he was against it,” he said. 鈥淭rump is a wise leader. He does what works. And I’m for it.鈥�

Some prominent conservatives also are split on Iran

Cracks in the conservative coalition began appearing early in the war, led by influential opinion leaders like podcaster Tucker Carlson.

This month, the director of the Center for Counterterrorism at the Department of Homeland Security, quit his Trump administration post, saying in his departure statement that 鈥淚 cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran” and that 鈥淚ran posed no imminent threat to our nation.鈥�

Right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon, who is expected to speak at CPAC, has worried aloud that a protracted Mideast military engagement would cost Republicans support by pushing some conservatives to sit out the November midterms.

This comes at a time when Republicans’ hold on the U.S. House is in jeopardy and the GOP’s thin Senate majority is not as secure as it was a year ago.

A recent survey from indicates that while Trump鈥檚 approval rating is holding steady, the conflict could be turning into a major political liability for his administration. About 59% of Americans say U.S. military action in Iran has been excessive, the poll found.

Calls for unity

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp acknowledged conservatives were divided over Iran and said the convention’s annual straw poll will include a question about it. The results will be released Saturday, the convention’s final day.

鈥淎ny consensus is still to be determined. I think people trust President Trump, so I don’t think there’s been any shaking of his support,鈥� Schlapp told the AP. 鈥淏ut I think underneath there’s concern about where does this lead.”

Tiffany Krieger, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh, said her onetime level-10 support for Trump has dipped to five over the war.

鈥淚t seems like the love for him is plateauing. We see our party splitting apart and we鈥檙e supposed to be united,鈥� said Krieger, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 鈥淚 think this issue with the war has put a line through the conservative movement.鈥�

Almost if addressing Krieger directly, Mercedes Schlapp, senior fellow for the CPAC foundation, opened Thursday’s session of the conference in Texas with a direct appeal.

鈥淲e cannot divide from within,” she told an audience of hundreds from the stage at the convention center. Referring to political opponents, she added: 鈥淟et’s stay united. They want us divided.鈥�