Archived Event

The 2024 Summit: Conserving America’s Liberal Tradition

  February 23 - 25, 2024

A three-day grassroots summit in Washington, D.C. on rebuilding principled leadership that serves our country—not partisanship or personality.

About The Summit

The 2024 Summit brought together leaders, policy experts, and grassroots activists for three days of panels, speeches, networking, and general discussion about the preservation of America’s classical liberal tradition, the meaning of conservatism today, and the future of our great country.

The Summit exceeded our highest expectations. We sent a clear message that the principled lane in our politics is energized, knows what it believes, and cannot be ignored.

Videos

Thumbnail for video
Justice and the Rule of Law: A Conversation with Alberto Gonzales

The Hon. Alberto R. Gonzales, 80th U.S. Attorney General of the United States

Thumbnail for video
Duty, Honor, Country: American Leadership in a Turbulent World

Kori Schake, American Enterprise Institute
Terry Virts, NASA Astronaut and Former Commander of the International Space Station
Michael Wood, U.S. Marine and Business Owner

Thumbnail for video
Lessons from Ronald Reagan: A Conversation with Governor Asa Hutchinson

Asa Hutchinson, 46th Governor of Arkansas
Megan McArdle, The Washington Post

Thumbnail for video
The American City & Principles for Urban Prosperity: A Conversation with David Holt

Mayor David Holt, Oklahoma City

Thumbnail for video
America’s Tradition of Classical Liberalism

Bill Kristol, Defending Democracy Together
Francis Fukuyama, Stanford University
Matthew Continetti, American Enterprise Institute
Quin Hillyer, The Washington Examiner

Thumbnail for video
Building the New Base: The Politics of Principle & Courage (Michael Steele)

Michael Steele, Former Chairman of the RNC and 7th Lt. Gov. of Maryland

Thumbnail for video
Checks & Balances: Protecting the Rule of Law

George Conway, Society for the Rule of Law and The Atlantic
Hon. J. Michael Luttig, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (ret.)
Hon. Barbara Comstock, Society for the Rule of Law

Thumbnail for video
Combating Illiberalism in America

Joe Walsh, Former Member of Congress
Curtis Chang, Redeeming Babel
Amanda Carpenter, Protect Democracy
Sophia Nelson, Author and Journalist

Thumbnail for video
Tradition and the Path to More Competitive and Responsive Elections

Jeff Timmer, Michigan Common Sense Party
Beau Tremitiere, United to Protect Democracy
Dan Cantor, Center for Ballot Freedom

Thumbnail for video
Confronting Authoritarian Threats Abroad: A Conversation with Fiona Hill

Uriel Epshtein, Renew Democracy Initiative
Fiona Hill, Former Deputy Assistant to the President

Thumbnail for video
Defending our Elections: The Practice of Democracy

Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of Georgia
Stephen Richer, Maricopa County Recorder
Scott Warren, Johns Hopkins SNF Agora Institute
Matt Germer, R Street Institute

Thumbnail for video
Leading with Principle: Speaking up for the Truth

Alyssa Farah Griffin, The View
Cassidy Hutchinson, Former White House Aide to Mark Meadows
Sarah Matthews, Former White House Deputy Press Secretary

Thumbnail for video
Principled Economics: A Formula for Growth and Sustainability

Bob Buschman, State Economist of Georgia
Brian Riedl, The Manhattan Institute
Douglas Holtz‐Eakin, American Action Forum
Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

Thumbnail for video
Moral Leadership in America: Principles for State, Church, Culture and Community

Cherie Harder, The Trinity Forum
Michael Wear, The Center for Christianity and Public Life
Mona Charen, The Bulwark
Robert A. George, Writer and Speaker

Thumbnail for video
Principles in Tension: Freecons, Natcons & Libertarians

Avik Roy, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity
Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review
Jessica Melugin, Competitive Enterprise Institute

Thumbnail for video
Truth Matters: A Keynote Conversation with Charlie Sykes and Heath Mayo
Thumbnail for video
Renegade: A Discussion on American Leadership with Adam Kinzinger

Photo Gallery

Speakers

Photo of Adam Kinzinger

Adam Kinzinger

Former Congressman
Photo of Asa Hutchinson

Asa Hutchinson

46th Governor of Arkansas
Photo of John Kasich

John Kasich

69th Governor of Ohio
Photo of George Conway

George Conway

Contributor, The Atlantic and Board President, Society for the Rule of Law
Photo of Judge J. Michael Luttig

Judge J. Michael Luttig

Former Federal Judge
Photo of Alberto Gonzales

Alberto Gonzales

Former Attorney General of the United States
Photo of Brad Raffensperger

Brad Raffensperger

Georgia Secretary of State
Photo of Francis Fukuyama

Francis Fukuyama

Senior Fellow, Stanford University
Photo of Joe Walsh

Joe Walsh

Former Congressman
Photo of Barbara Comstock

Barbara Comstock

Former Congresswoman
Photo of Alyssa Farah

Alyssa Farah

Co-Host, The View
Photo of Cassidy Hutchinson

Cassidy Hutchinson

Former White House Aide
Photo of Sarah Matthews

Sarah Matthews

Former White House Deputy Press Secretary
Photo of David Holt

David Holt

38th Mayor of Oklahoma City
Photo of Michael Steele

Michael Steele

Former RNC Chair
Photo of Sarah Longwell

Sarah Longwell

Publisher, The Bulwark
Photo of Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol

Director, Defending Democracy Together
Photo of Jonah Goldberg

Jonah Goldberg

Editor-in-Chief and Co-founder, The Dispatch
Photo of Steve Hayes

Steve Hayes

Editor and CEO, The Disptach
Photo of Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru

National Review
Photo of Fiona Hill

Fiona Hill

Former Deputy Assistant to the President
Photo of Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes

Author and MSNBC Contributor
Photo of Kori Schake

Kori Schake

American Enterprise Institute
Photo of Amanda Carpenter

Amanda Carpenter

United to Protect Democracy
Photo of Terry Virts

Terry Virts

NASA Astronaut
Photo of Matthew Continetti

Matthew Continetti

Director of Domestic Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
Photo of Sarah Isgur

Sarah Isgur

Senior Editor, The Dispatch
Photo of Megan McArdle

Megan McArdle

The Washington Post
Photo of Maya MacGuineas

Maya MacGuineas

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Photo of Jonathan V. Last

Jonathan V. Last

Editor, The Bulwark
Photo of Mona Charen

Mona Charen

Policy Editor, The Bulwark
Photo of Stephen Richer

Stephen Richer

Maricopa County Recorder
Photo of Cherie Harder

Cherie Harder

President, The Trinity Forum
Photo of A.B. Stoddard

A.B. Stoddard

Columnist, The Bulwark
Photo of Avik Roy

Avik Roy

President, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity
Photo of Jessica Melugin

Jessica Melugin

Competitive Enterprise Institute
Photo of Jeff Timmer

Jeff Timmer

Michigan Common Sense Party
Photo of Beau Tremitiere

Beau Tremitiere

United to Protect Democracy
Photo of Dan Cantor

Dan Cantor

Center for Ballot Freedom
Photo of Sophia Nelson

Sophia Nelson

Author and Journalist
Photo of Quin Hillyer

Quin Hillyer

Columnist, Washington Examiner
Photo of Michael Wood

Michael Wood

US Marine & Business Owner
Photo of Robert A. George

Robert A. George

Writer and Speaker
Photo of Uriel Epshtein

Uriel Epshtein

Chief Executive Officer, Renew Democracy Initiative
Photo of Michael Wear

Michael Wear

Founder, Center for Christianity and Public Life
Photo of Curtis Chang

Curtis Chang

Executive Director, Redeeming Babel
Photo of Michael Warren

Michael Warren

The Dispatch
Photo of Matt Germer

Matt Germer

R Street Institute
Photo of Robert Buschman

Robert Buschman

Georgia State University
Photo of Brian Riedl

Brian Riedl

Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute
Photo of Doug Holtz-Eakin

Doug Holtz-Eakin

President, American Action Forum
Photo of Scott Warren

Scott Warren

SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University
Photo of Heath Mayo

Heath Mayo

Founder, Principles First

Agenda

The finalized list of speakers, agenda, and additional logistical information will follow closer to the Summit.
  • Day 1: Friday
    February 23rd
  • Day 2: Saturday
    February 24th
  • Day 3: Sunday
    February 25th

Friday, February 23rd

6pm to 9pm
Welcome Reception

Welcome reception at Hill Country Barbecue hosted by The Bulwark. Casual dress. Must register to attend.

Saturday, February 24th

7:30am to 8:50am
Registration Opens

Grand Ballroom, Conrad DC, 950 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Coffee and tea available.

8:55am
Pledge of Allegiance & Welcome Remarks
  • David Thul, Co‐Chair of Summit Host Committee
9am to 9:05am
Putting Principles First
  • Heath Mayo, Principles First
9:10am to 9:55am
America’s Tradition of Classical Liberalism
  • Bill Kristol, Defending Democracy Together
  • Francis Fukuyama, Stanford University
  • Matthew Continetti, American Enterprise Institute
  • Quin Hillyer, The Washington Examiner
10am to 10:25am
Confronting Authoritarian Threats Abroad: A Conversation with Fiona Hill
  • Uriel Epshtein, Renew Democracy Initiative
  • Fiona Hill, Former Deputy Assistant to the President
10:30am to 10:55am
Justice and the Rule of Law
  • The Hon. Alberto R. Gonzales, 80th U.S. Attorney General of the United States
11am to 11:45am
The 2024 Election: The Road Ahead & the Principles at Stake *
  • Sarah Longwell, The Bulwark
  • A.B. Stoddard, The Bulwark
  • Jonathan V. Last, The Bulwark

* This is a live-taping of The Next Level podcast.

11:50am to 12:55pm
Lunch Break
1pm to 1:45pm
Leading with Principle: Speaking Up for the Truth
  • Alyssa Farah Griffin, The View
  • Cassidy Hutchinson, Former White House Aide to Mark Meadows
  • Sarah Matthews, Former White House Deputy Press Secretary
1:50pm to 2:15pm
Truth Matters: A Keynote Conversation
  • Charlie Sykes, Author and MSNBC Contributor
  • Special Guest TBA
2:20pm to 3:05pm
Moral Leadership in America: Principles for State, Church, Culture and Community
  • Cherie Harder, The Trinity Forum
  • Michael Wear, The Center for Christianity and Public Life
  • Mona Charen, The Bulwark
  • Robert A. George, Writer and Speaker
3:10pm to 3:15pm
Coffee Break
3:20pm to 4:05pm
Principled Economics: A Formula for Growth and Sustainability
  • Bob Buschman, State Economist of Georgia
  • Brian Riedl, The Manhattan Institute
  • Douglas Holtz‐Eakin, American Action Forum
  • Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
4:10pm to 4:25pm
Building the New Base: The Politics of Principle & Courage
  • Michael Steele, Former Chairman of the RNC and 7th Lt. Gov. of Maryland
4:30pm
Day One Closing Remarks
  • Heath Mayo, Principles First
7pm
Principles First: Grassroots Leadership Strategy Session (Optional)

Location: Grand Ballroom, Conrad DC.

Sunday, February 25th

7:30am to 8:50am
REGISTRATION OPENS

Grand Ballroom, Conrad DC, 950 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Coffee and tea available.

8:50am to 9:00am
Video Remarks
  • Gov. John Kasich, 69th Governor of Ohio
  • Congressman Will Hurd, Former CIA Officer – Texas (23rd)
9am to 9:35am
Duty, Honor, Country: American Leadership in a Turbulent World
  • Kori Schake, American Enterprise Institute
  • Terry Virts, NASA Astronaut and Former Commander of the International Space Station
  • Michael Wood, U.S. Marine and Business Owner
9:40am to 10:25am
Checks & Balances: Protecting the Rule of Law
  • George Conway, Society for the Rule of Law and The Atlantic
  • Hon. J. Michael Luttig, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (ret.)
  • Hon. Barbara Comstock, Society for the Rule of Law
10:30am to 10:55am
Lessons from Ronald Reagan: A Conversation with Governor Asa Hutchinson
  • Asa Hutchinson, 46th Governor of Arkansas
  • Megan McArdle, The Washington Post
11am to 11:45am
The Future of the Conservative Movement and the Republican Party *
  • Stephen Hayes, The Dispatch
  • Jonah Goldberg, The Dispatch
  • Sarah Isgur, The Dispatch
  • Michael Warren, The Dispatch

* This is a live-taping of The Dispatch Podcast.

11:50am to 12:35pm
Combating Illiberalism in America
  • Joe Walsh, Former Member of Congress
  • Curtis Chang, Redeeming Babel
  • Amanda Carpenter, Protect Democracy
  • Sophia Nelson, Author and Journalist
12:40pm to 1:55pm
Lunch Break
2pm to 2:25pm
The American City & Principles for Urban Prosperity: A Conversation with Mayor David Holt
  • Mayor David Holt, Oklahoma City
2:30pm to 2:50pm
Defending our Elections: The Practice of Democracy
  • Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State of Georgia
  • Stephen Richer, Maricopa County Recorder
  • Scott Warren, Johns Hopkins SNF Agora Institute
  • Matt Germer, R Street Institute
3:00pm
Tradition and the Path to More Competitive and Responsive Elections
  • Jeff Timmer, Michigan Common Sense Party
  • Beau Tremitiere, United to Protect Democracy
  • Dan Cantor, Center for Ballot Freedom
3:30pm to 4:15pm
Principles in Tension: FreeCons, NatCons & Libertarians
  • Avik Roy, Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity
  • Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review
  • Jessica Melugin, Competitive Enterprise Institute
4:20pm to 4:40pm
Renegade: A Discussion on American Leadership with Adam Kinzinger
  • Adam Kinzinger, Former Congressman
4:45pm
Closing Remarks
  • Heath Mayo, Principles First

Participating Organizations

We are grateful to these participating organizations, who share our commitment to preserving truth, democracy, and the rule of law. If you'd like to join them, please contact us at [email protected].
The Bulwark United to Protect Democracy Country First Society for the Rule of Law The Dispatch The Trinity Forum The Briones Society Sharp Connections Keep Nine SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University Institute on Religion and Democracy Primary Pivot Veterans for All Voters The Purple Principle Podcast American Coalition for Ukraine Rank the Vote UpVote Virginia Campaign Legal Center Ranked Choice Voting Maryland