The Values Voter Summit has become known as a one-of-a-kind gathering for social conservative voters who are concerned about the moral condition of our country and the well-being of future generations. Because of this, every VVS possesses a certain sense of urgency about turning America back to its founding Christian principles. This past weekend in Washington, D.C., that sense of urgency was at an all-time high, as speaker after speaker strongly emphasized that the time to act is now -- staying home on Election Day is no longer an option.
Donald Trump could certainly sense it. Perhaps that is why 2016 became the first time in VVS's 11-year history that a presidential and vice presidential nominee came to speak, with both men urging believers to unify in a fragile moment in our republic's history. And it wasn't just politicians who could sense it. Even Hollywood actors Kirk Cameron and John Voight could. Voight's assessment of our current situation was grim: "I feel there's a dark cloud over the country now." Cameron put the upcoming election in the starkest terms possible: "All the progressives need is one more term, and it's locked down for a long time, and it doesn't matter what we try to do after that. It's now or never."
But believers also know that no matter how bad things get, God is both gracious and sovereign. Girding the sense of urgency among the speakers was a message of hope. As Senator James Lankford (R- Okla.) pointed out, we aren't simply at the mercy of a giant, amorphous electorate: "Want to turn your country around? Live your values." This was reiterated by Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.): "Our future doesn't depend on elected officials ... what makes America the greatest nation on earth is not legislation -- it's love." GOP vice presidential candidate Governor Mike Pence reminded the Summit that prayer is at the heart of a nation that knows its strength does not depend ultimately on political power, but on a higher power: "Remember to bend the knee in prayer. Not so much for campaigns, but pray for our country. Pray that the people of this country would rise up as they have through different times in our history, and take the reins again and turn America back in the direction of freedom and the principles of our founding."
Another overarching theme of the Summit was our national defense and the continuing threat of Islamist terrorism. Our own Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin led a panel discussion that laid bare the current realities of global jihadism, in addition to a second panel discussion that explored the Obama administration's derailment of military readiness at the altar of political correctness. Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani also made a special appearance detailing his concerns about Obama's failed counter-terrorism policies and his hope for a new direction in 2017.
This year's VVS was the most engaging year so far on social media, with a number of prominent figures talking about the event, including Gov. Mike Pence, Gov. Matt Bevin, CNN, and Fox News. Some on the Left apparently felt so threatened by the impact of VVS that they launched their own counter-campaign on social media. With Facebook's new live video feature, we had the opportunity to shoot backstage interviews with Phil Robertson and Gov. Matt Bevin, as well as livestream Washington Watch from the exhibit hall. In total, VVS videos posted on social media received over half a million views, and the #VVS16 hashtag was seen over 100 million times.
With over 2,200 registrants, this year's Summit was another huge success and a visible reminder of the ability that values voter have to shape America into a more virtuous and prosperous nation. Don't miss any of the over thirty featured speakers at VVS 2016 at FRC Action's YouTube channel. We hope to see you at next year's Summit! In the meantime -- make sure you are registered and voting!
