Rick Green [00:00:07] Welcome to the intersection of faith and culture. Appreciate you joining us today on the WallBuilder Show. Rick Green here with David Barton and Tim Barton, Dallas, Fort Worth. Republicans have descended upon DFW from all over the country for this first ever midterm Republican convention. And so yeah, a lot of, a lot of folks coming in, a lot of grassroots activists, a of speakers, a lot happening. David, you mentioned on yesterday's program, you're going to be speaking tomorrow. And our good friend, Chad Conley is with us. And so Chad, of course you and David been all over the country, for Faith Wins. I'm hoping to get a good report from you by the end of the convention that you saw some sparks at least, if not a fire in the belly of Republicans to not sit out these midterms, but instead double down. What do you think Chad? 

Chad Connelly [00:00:51] Well, this is the crowd that won't be sitting out. These are the workers that come to this, right? This is my, been in every one of these since 2004, I guess. And so this is, the workers in every state who are here, they're all in. And they're looking for President Trump to bring it. This is the guy that can set a different tone, right? I mean, this was pretty unprecedented. Like you mentioned, it only happened a couple of times, never on the Republican side. We've never pulled this out before, but if anybody can pull it off, get some media attention and talk about the positives is President Trump. He's a totally unorthodox, unconventional, won't happen again kind of leader. So he's the guy that can pull this off. 

Rick Green [00:01:34] And this one's, this one is shorter, right guys? Like normally a national conventions four or five days of, of a lot of speeches and televised stuff. And then a week going into that, that you guys are usually there serving on platform committee or some other committee. This was just a, just a two day. Uh, but you know, hopefully a shot in the arm as we're going into November. 

Chad Connelly [00:01:53] Yeah, that's right. This is a short one. I've been at them, you know, I've had RNC meetings and then of course, like you mentioned, there are committee meetings like platform and rules that usually take place. This is, this is different in every aspect. That's for sure. 

Tim Barton [00:02:07] Well Chad, one of the things that we have talked about some on the program is, and actually really this week we've talked a lot about the divide inside of the Republican party, especially in certain states, where there's a couple of reasons why it looks like polling is down and there's maybe a reason to be a little concerned and ultra motivated to encourage our friends to get out and vote. In certain states, the party, there's a lot of infighting, it's divided. And then across the board, it does seem like that there's not a really encouraged and incentivized Republican side. And honestly, even a concern that in Texas, there's a lot of people that are Christians that go to actual Christian churches, not like the rainbow flag flying churches, no actual Christian Churches that have come out said in Texas for example, they're going to vote for James Tallarico because you know, he's this nice guy and his like grandpa was a pastor or something and whatever else. And so it seems like there's a lot of confusion for Christians, there's a lot in fighting in certain states, in party politics, and then there's not a lot encouragement and excitement to drive the motivation for people to get out, and so we talked about, is that part of the strategy for this midterm convention? And I say this knowing that you and Faith Wins, if targeted, dozens and dozens and dozens of congressional races where y'all are working on the ground. I know I'm going to be with you at a couple of those events. My dad's going to be at like all of those events as you are doing this, trying to encourage pastors and Christians to get out the vote. So, so what is your big picture of thoughts of the Convention? Maybe what would help stir or motivate people, what are going to takeaways? And then what is a thought for encouraging Christians in general? And some of these other states and locations with a lot of these congressional Senate races? 

Chad Connelly [00:04:02] Yeah, and thanks for that, Tim. There's a lot of layers, like always, right? I think one thing that's facing us is this historical uphill climb when the party in power in the White House has a little bit of a laissez-faire. Hey, things are going good. We've won. We're in good shape. We don't have to work as hard. The other part is, as we haven't begun defining the left yet, you're right, there's a lot of in-fighting. These states that have late primaries, I don't know how they overcome it and heal. I mean, our state, we had the special election because Senator Lindsey Graham passed away, so we're really just getting past some of our division from a very heated primary. So there's two things in our favor, though. Number one, the election is not today, and the national polls don't matter. Number two, the left has lost their ever-lovin', flippin' minds. And so I think that's gonna help us as we start defining them. The other thing I'd say, I've been in 19 states since July 15th. And if I were looking at the Karl Rove polls on Fox News only, I'd be pretty discouraged. I'd like, oh my gosh, this is a nightmare scenario. But I've been with pastors in states meeting with candidates. We met with John Sununu, of course we invite Democrats and Republicans, but John Sununu is running for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire and he came and sat down with, I don't know, 15 or 16 pastor buddies of mine in Concord, New Hampshire at a church. You guys have been in that church at Granite State, Baptist with Pastor Peter Chamberlain. I've been in other states. I was in Michigan. I had a dinner with eight black pastors, three Hispanic pastors, two white pastors, and I'm telling you when I meet those guys and I see what they're paying attention, they realize what the stakes are, I get encouraged. Now that's not reflected in national polls, but when I go in all these states and I meet with pastors who are talking to their people about the real issues, we're facing socialist, communists, we're facing Islamists for goodness sakes. We're facing people who look you straight in the eye and say men can get pregnant and boys can be girls and nonsense like that. And you just want to encourage those people to keep talking because I'm telling you, Tim, the more I'm out with people in the states talking to them, they realize what's at stake and I get encouraged from that more than anything. So election is not right now and we have not started defining the left. So a lot of that division and infighting, that'll settle out when people start really seeing what's at stake. 

Tim Barton [00:06:23] Well, and Chad, I am grateful for your analysis of this. I completely agree. One of the things that you were talking, though, about the party being laissez-faire and overlooking this, I remembered that tomorrow, Thursday, is the one-year anniversary of the murder of Charlie Kirk. Chad, one of the thing I was thinking is, if you look back to the presidential election, one of the things that made the biggest difference was Charlie Kirk leading the charge and actually lighting a fire under the seats of so many of these Republicans that might have continued to be this laissez-faire, you know, whatever perspective, and, and we've talked many times, right? It's one of the, there's a lot of realities where we realize how much we miss one of our friends and the role that he played. Now, with that being said... What I think is also really encouraging is we are seeing God raise up and elevate other groups and organizations where not just because of the 250 this year, but like WallBuilders, Patriot Academy, I mean, we've never been busier and now even with what Faith Wins is doing, I think God is elevating a lot of these other groups and ministries these other not-for-profits that are picking up the torch of what Charlie was doing. But again, big picture does make me think this is where some of those people in the Republican Party or in the White House, they are missing the texts from Charlie Kirk going, hey, you guys better pay attention. Hey, you better do this because he did that consistently. And now that he is gone, it really does fall so much more on people like us that get it to help rally and encourage those. And I'm saying this knowing that for everybody listening, you cannot wait for somebody else to be the hero. No, like that, that thought or adage that nobody's coming to save you. Right. You, you need to be, the leader. You need to, be the shepherd of your home. You need, to be a leader in your community and rally this, because honestly, had it not been for the way God used Charlie Kirk, it's very arguable that President Trump doesn't win that last election. Well, at this point. It would take the hand of God and a miracle for President Trump to win. But God's been doing that all along when God turned President Trump's head in Butler, Pennsylvania. It's like this isn't a new thought for God to show up and do a miracle and save the day. But again, as you were talking, it just made me think, man, we miss the texts of Charlie Kirk to those elected officials to give them perspective. So Chad, let me now ask a kind of a follow up question because you have known and worked inside of party politics for a long time. Do you see party people, are there some that are getting it more because we see obviously you work with so many pastors, we come with you. We do so many pastor's events. We see pastors waking up. And I actually do see some political leaders waking up, right? When you have your Brandon Halls, your congressmen, some of these guys that are really waking up and getting it, there's some things that are very encouraging. But what do you see inside the party in politics? How much are you seeing that they're getting it? Or is this still a challenge and a struggle? 

Chad Connelly [00:09:46] You know, honestly, Tim, I think that when we have the White House, whoever has the White house faces a severe disadvantage because the White House kind of runs the party and way too many state party operations get, they get complacent and they get lazy. They're not used to raising money. They're not having to lead the way. You know, nobody gave me money when I was a chairman. That was the normal thing. And I think over the past few years, the state parties have gotten money because we had such a fundraising machine. So that creates a little bit of weakness. Having said that though, I believe the reason WallBuilders and Patriot Academy and Faith Wins and so many other groups exist and what Charlie did ultimate Johnny Appleseed guy. There are so many 501c3s, 501C4s, super PACs dedicated to the things that, let's face it, the party was really never good at, right? The party has two functions, elect Republicans number one and number two, raise money to do number one. And if you think there's a number three, you need to go back and read number one and two. They don't exist. And the people like the party to do other stuff like policy things. That's just not the role, that's the elected official's role. And so all this infighting, I think a lot of it is the tension where people want to see more done. My goodness, when I met with Susie Wiles in Mar-a-Lago in 2024, and she said, you ought to come on the inside of the campaign. I'm like, no, look, I'm think I'm doing more good on the outside of the campaign, getting people to vote biblically, because our people want to hear a specific message. And the party, the administration, the campaigns, they aren't willing to give the messages we are Tim. They're really not willing to articulate those messages because, let's face it, a lot of the consultants don't believe in what Rick Green and David and Tim Barton and Chad Connelly believe in. We are cause people. They are going to be more party people. And so while I'm a party guy, I'm here as a delegate, I was a state party chairman. I've been delegate or alternate or state party chair and senior staffer to six conventions. I believe the function of the party, but I also believe that groups like ours and what Charlie did, to your point, is above and beyond and far past what the party can do. So they gotta do their part. They can coordinate with the campaign. That's super special. They can raise money; you and I can't. They can spend money, you and can't. But from specific efforts of turnout, I also believe with all my heart that there are people sitting in churches and pastors leading congregations who don't care. They don't give a flip what the party says or does, but they'll listen to David Barton and Rick Green and Tim Barton, and hopefully Chad Conley, and go, I like that angle. Because party folks are gonna be driven by party directives. You and I are gonna driven by a cause that's greater, and that's the kingdom of God on Earth. And to me, Charlie was an ultimate Johnny Appleseed. I think in God's economy. He has and is going to birth so many more multiples of himself, and I hate what happened. I hate he was murdered for the cause, but I also know God's Word doesn't return void. I also that when a seed falls to the ground and dies, it multiplies. And I believe that's what God has applied here, and we're watching it in front of our very eyes. So look, God's not done with me and you and us, and He's not with the work that Charlie did. Yes, we miss Charlie. I think we miss him being a Trump whisperer. I don't think we miss him talking to the young people especially. But also know that there's so many people who've gotten motivated because they heard Charlie's message. I think Rob McCoy told me the other day, for all the views that Charlie Kirk had, the millions of millions, hundreds of millions maybe a billion, that he's had ten-fold views of his talks since his death in one year than he had during his life. That is only, as your mom says, but God. 

Rick Green [00:13:47] Amen. Yeah, absolutely incredible. It's his voice was elevated and amplified and not taken out. It was actually amplified. Absolutely incredible. Chad, you've been on the program too many times, man, because it's almost like you predict my questions. You already answered all the questions I had lined up. You're like, hey, while you and David are out there talking to pastors, are they gonna, yeah, you nailed it. Anyway, we do have to take a break though. We'll be right back. You're listening to The WallBuilders Show. 

Rick Green [00:15:19] Welcome back to the WallBuilders Show, Chad Connelly sitting in with us, for the, the National Convention. First time ever Republicans have done a midterm national convention. David, you've got groups are going to be talking to, I know you and Chad are going to be working that crowd and firing people up. So what are you hoping comes out of this convention by the end of the week? 

David Barton [00:15:39] Well, I think what will come out of it is a lot of ammunition to use in the last two months I think there will be a lot policy statements a lot of really good one-liners and other things that will be used to make a difference between candidates as we get closer toward election time. So, I think one of the things that we'll come out the Wednesday night, Thursday night meetings that are part of this is a lot of good policy soundbites that will really help some campaigns. So I think that's part of what will happen. I think that outside of that, it's going to add some impetus. We talked even yesterday about the fundraising aspect of this. This is going to be a fundraiser, no question about that, and as much as I hate how much money goes into it, that's what the Supreme Court has opened up with the way that they do finances now, and so it really does make a difference. We were talking even yesterday that when you stop the USAID money, suddenly we're having all these free elections in Germany and all these other places we had. Money makes a difference in politics, and I hate that, but it does. And so I think that's the other thing that will help in this, is to get down to the stretch. It appears that Democrats never run short of money. Big corporations, those guys are behind them, they've put the money in themselves, and it's always the Republicans that are outspent. Well, I think this is gonna help equalize some of that field, and I think all that's necessary in the overall scheme.  

Rick Green [00:17:05] Yeah, same, Chad, anything you wanna add to that comes out of it by the by the end of the week? 

Chad Connelly [00:17:07] You know, I'm thinking that what comes out of this is Trump is the best at breaking through the media, right? And he recognizes that his message does not get out. And let's face it, the major networks are not carrying this. But to David's point, I really like what he was saying, and he said it earlier today when I was with him, that they're gonna set up all these different topics and hit those from stage. I think it's 109 different speakers. 36 different topics, they're going to be able to create boutique messages in those congressional districts. We're actually going to be in 38 different congressional districts between now and November. And I think what you're seeing is them creating a message that's a boutique specialized message by those candidates into those districts. That's what you going to see the money being spent on. And also believe that President Trump is, he's a master at entertainment. He understands what it takes and so doing this convention like this they will have to give media attention. It'll be as snippets, but there'll be so much creative media out of this that it's gonna draw attention to the things that Trump has done, then the activities that are taking place, whether it's the southern border, the no fentanyl, 15 straight months, no illegals crossing, the first president out of eight who actually pushed Iran back and made sure they don't have a nuclear weapon. The deregulation, I think we're taking out 137 regulations, every new one that's implemented. That is going to open up a boom in the economy making us energy independent, opening up oil wells and pipelines. There are so many good things going on, but it takes time to peel back what we were under, the 9.1% of inflation. My goodness, the media tears us up about having 3% inflation and we were 9.1 under Biden. So all those messages in these next few days at the convention are going to be set up into bite-sized messages that can be applied in the congressional districts. I believe that's what President Trump and the team are after with this. 

Rick Green [00:19:13] Yeah, definitely something we want to encourage people to do is to help share those messages. There'll be a ton of those social media videos and different things coming out in the next few days. One of the best ways you can motivate your friends and family to make sure that they're voting and that they realize it does make a difference is to share those videos and Chad, that takes me back to what you were saying earlier in the program. The left has told us what they are. They're not even hiding it anymore. It's crazy, crazy stuff. It seems like there's so much intellectual ammunition just laying on the table. You know, just show them in their own words. How nuts they are. Is that working? Are we, are we doing that? Is that kind of up to us? Like you were saying, almost the non-party people now, these other individuals and organizations and grassroots are, is it just up to us to get that message out? 

Chad Connelly [00:19:56] I think it's a little bit of both. I mean, I think, it depends on the district, what the party or the campaigns are gonna spend on those messages. But everywhere I've been, people have talked about how crazy the left is. The pastor meetings that we've created have given candidates an opportunity to articulate their stand, whether it's boys in girl's sports and the nonsense of that, the sexualization of children. You know, sexual mutilation of kids, those kind of things are coming up in those conversations, but also the communism-socialism aspect. It's in their faces. I was with, I had eight black pastors, three Hispanic pastors, and two white pastors in a meeting in inner city Detroit a couple of Monday nights ago, David will be up there with me really soon, and I told some of them, some of you guys may have voted Democrat in the past, but tell me what part of the platform and what you're seeing right now would reflect biblical values. And if you think those guys are going to be okay with you, when Hassan Piker, this wealthy influencer who loves socialism and communism, is out there campaigning in a Mao Tse Tung uniform, Rick. You're right, they're not holding back. They're brazen. They know that people aren't educated very well. So yeah, I think a lot of it's gonna fall to us to educate people and to raise the five alarm fire that's going on to make sure we maximize the vote in every district, everywhere in America. 

Rick Green [00:21:26] Well, I'll just throw this to all three of you, whoever wants to answer it. How is it possible that they've let their message get so crazy? Is there polling telling them that these young people want that? I mean, I've seen guys like Bill Maher and James Carville, and some of those say, you know, this is crazy, we can't do this, and you know, my vote's up for grabs now or whatever. So there's some of the old timers that are saying this is too nuts, but I mean they can't just be, is it calculated or do you think God's just, you there's a deception that's fallen on them and they don't realize they're going to push away, you know, certainly anybody over 50 that ever cared about freedom, but it just seems weird to me that they would allow their party to go this crazy. 

Tim Barton [00:22:03] Well, Rick, I think you're right on both fronts. I think there's no doubt it's a deception and I'm interjecting now. Obviously, Chad, Dad, you guys will have thoughts and comments on this as well. But I think as you're asking this, and obviously, Rick you know a lot of this already, you're giving us some fodder to discuss, but I think it's worth asking the question, what Democrat leader or influencer that is 40 years and younger has spoken against this? Because you can point to a Bill Maher that has. Yeah, that dude is older than 60, right? Now, I'm not saying that's super old for the other gentlemen on this phone call. However, as wonderful as people who are 50 and older are, and I'm quickly approaching all of that, it's worth noting this is not the tone of the next generation of Americans or of Democrats. When you add the next-generation of Americans, the fact that, I mean, it's like 60% or something of Gen Z that has a favorable view of socialism. I don't remember the exact number, but it's incredibly high. It's well over 50 percent. So this is I think it is calculated. But I think that's it's people that have been very deceived. And so I think you have some intentional people that are leading the movements that are being deceptive. But I think you have a lot of ignorant people below them that are in favor of an ideology that, you know, stage one thinking that it sounds good, it feels good, it might give me something right now, not knowing that there's a way that seems right to man, but in the end, it leads to death. 

Chad Connelly [00:23:33] You know, I, I would, I want to hear what David has to say, Rick, but I'd say they built this box, they're getting to live in it. They built this with identity politics and breaking up groups into so many different ideological divisions to try to make their tent. So I think we ought to enjoy watching them fall apart from it. Cause it will. 

David Barton [00:23:52] Yeah, and you know, it's an interesting thing, too, that one of the things you see from the Scriptures is self-deception is there when you have all the pride and arrogance that goes with so much of their position. And so in some ways, I think there's some self- deception going on. They're in their own echo chambers now. They do a lot of polling, but so far their polling this year has not been good. I mean, we saw Al-Said 10 points up, win by one point. We saw Wong ten points up, lose by one point. Their polling has not been good. And I've heard that from a number of Democrat activists in the sense they're activists, but they're not philosophical activists, they're Democrats that read the numbers. And they're really concerned about how far off their numbers have been. Now, I don't like that because I don't want us to go to sleep on our side and say, hey, you know, it looks like the Democrats aren't gonna win, so that means we're gonna win. I don't think that. But what I do think is, that their message, it's hard for them to keep on track. Because they have such a wild worldview that it's hard for them to even get together on that. It's what we kind of always see historically. It's where communism eventually falls apart. You have to kill all the other leaders because they a different view from you. And I just think they're in that stage of they really are not sure what they all believe and their messages are different. And it is, as Tim said, it's generational as well. I mean, you got a real difference between the older Democrats and the younger Democrats. And as Tim has said, the 40 under group It has a very different message and take on that message. So I think it's going to be hard for them to get a unified message. I think will be a little easier for, as, I like what Chad said about the boutique messaging. I think the Republicans will do a better job bringing a boutique message. Now, do they have enough money to get that out there? We'll see. They won't need all that money if Christians will show up and vote, there's enough Christians in every state to change the trajectory of that state. No question about it. We just got to get them out. 

Chad Connelly [00:25:47] You know, my life's message to everybody has been, I'm here to deputize you to do more than you've ever done. Don't wait on anybody's permission. Realize there's a five-alarm fire going off. It is up to you, not to just wear your little I Voted sticker. I want you to that. I voted, yes, I want you to do that. You need to talk to the five, the 25, the 255 people that you know in your orbit and tell them it is a must. Everybody in your church needs to be registered. Everybody needs to vote biblical values. Find the Christian voter guides, go to faithwins.org, but turn out because Christians make the difference. We are the margin and we're the difference makers. 

Rick Green [00:26:24] So good brother, appreciate Chad Connelly joining us today. Faithwins.org is the website, faithwins.org. It's not too late to get in a request to get David and Chad or Chad and Tim to come to your city. We need to do more and more of that. Of course, already making plans for next year as well. Faithwins.org. Appreciate Chad being with us. Thank you for listening. You've been listening to The WallBuilders Show.