At a time when media outlets, tech companies and corporations regularly capitulate to a Left-wing mob mentality, those who believe in traditional values, freedom, the democratic process and common-sense government need to have courage of conviction. To paraphrase a familiar axiom, when good men do nothing, evil flourishes. Now more than ever, we need to be aggressive in engaging in the political and policy discussions that protect life and liberty.
Matt Robbins believed that the strength of a nation resided in the courageous hearts of those willing to serve a cause greater than themselves. The veteran Republican grassroots organizer, trainer and consultant, passed away in May of complications from Coronavirus and Lymphoma. He was only 49.
For those who knew him, it was a profound loss of a friend and leader who understood the struggle people of faith and traditional values must endure. His death gives us a chance to craft our own legacy of action.
Robbins believed in people-power. Some might say he was a throwback to the era of Rotary Clubs and church spaghetti dinners, local newspapers and whistle stop tours. His perspective on what it would take to protect freedom and values was clear. Citizens standing up for their beliefs and entering the arena of public service was absolutely critical to ensuring the great experiment in Democracy would continue to flourish with all its fantastic consequences.
Since the dawn of the digital age, a culture of fear and oppression has permeated our political discourse, not only in the United States, but in many free nations. News media, the education complex, social media platforms, the entertainment industry and well-heeled political action committees on the left have worked to further an insidious agenda. They enthusiastically drive abortion-on-demand, euthanasia, drug commercialization, gender as a social construct and other dangerous ideas.
They organize to shame people of faith, deride family values, demonize those who wish to advance a culture of life and suppress meaningful public discourse.
Matt Robbins, through his work with organizations like the Leadership Institute, the American Council of Young Political Leaders and American Majority in the United States, trained thousands of conservative candidates to run effectively for office or otherwise organize people anxious to be in the arena, protecting freedom. With a quick wit and magnetic personality, he inspired countless new public servants to take the slings and arrows of the Left – and fight on.
Robbins left behind a legacy that is impossible to calculate not only because of the people he reached, but because of his message of faith that touched so many. Though jaded, as anyone involved in politics would be after decades, he never lost faith in the concept that America’s democratic process was resilient. He never lost faith in the power of an individual’s passion to leave their community, nation and world better than they found it. He never lost faith that right and truth will triumph over evil and oppressive ideas masquerading as progress.
Robbins believed that everyone had the ability to take action to protect their values. He believed that people the world over had the capacity to spur profound change. It was always exciting to have a conversation with Matt since his perspectives on public policy and politics reflected keen instincts and fearless candor. We need more people like him.
Though he’d seen Presidential campaigns and national activism from the inside, he was right in his understanding that policy changes – or appropriate defenses of freedom – were kindled in our own backyards. Acting locally in churches, community groups, and local efforts, far from the glitz of Hollywood, the din of the big-city newsroom and the Beltway chattering-class, was the best way to grow a movement.
It was less “sexy,” of course, but Matt Robbins believed that emphasizing local issues, movements, and campaigns would build a foundation for bold success nationally. He believed in compassion and common sense. The same street fighter for freedom would help a homeless man get a meal or find a job.
People of faith and those who believe in values like life, at odds with the massive megaphone of today’s digital mob, need to build stronger foundations now. They would do well to carry forward Matt Robbins’ legacy of action and let the world know they will not be intimidated.
[Editor’s note: On May 30, 2020, POLITICO ran this brief obituary for Matt Robbins:
Veteran GOP political consultant Matt Robbins, 49, passed away Wednesday after facing complications from Covid-19. Robbins got his start in politics working in the Virginia House of Delegates. He later served as director of training at the Leadership Institution in Arlington, regional coalitions director for the McCain-Palin 2008 presidential campaign and political director for the California Republican Party. Most recently he served as national executive director of American Majority before transitioning to working as an independent consultant. He also served as deputy coordinator of War Veterans PAC. He is survived by his daughter Lily.
“Matt was known for his winsome personality, his love of motion pictures, his quick-wit, his voice of reason when it came to Republican politics and, of course, his devotion to his daughter. He will be terribly missed by those that were fortunate enough to call him his friend,” Scott Faircloth emailed.
A GoFundMe originally organized for Matt’s medical expenses is now collecting support for his family. You can donate here.]