Stephen Bannon Declares War Against Republican Establishment

Although he opened his 2017 Value Voters Summit speech by echoing Ecclesiastes about the time of the season, former Trump Senior Adviser Stephen K. Bannon kept true to his street fighting instincts by declaring political war in a bombastic address to Evangelical voters in Washington DC.

Bannon voiced frustration that many Republicans in the Senate were either Janus faced or openly hostile to their President Donald Trump.  Bannon particularly took aim at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Foreign Policy Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN).



To wit, Bannon declared war on the GOP Establishment.  As Bannon is no longer shackled as a White House West Wing advisor, Bannon is free to support the Trump nationalist populist agenda from the outside.  Bannon intimated that he is working hard to primary many RINOs who do not support the Trump agenda.

Bannon claimed that there is time for Establishment sinners to repent, but otherwise he insisted that Deplorables will come after those not supporting Trump during the 2018 primaries.  

FRC President Tony Perkins at VVS17

This message was well received by the Values Voters Summit crowd.  A constant theme during the three day conference of politically active Evangelicals was "Drain to Swamp."  To underline that sentiment, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins honored his Louisiana roots and jocularly dressed in muck wear to open the Value Voters Summit. 

Recognizing Heroic Virtue at the Value Voters Summit

Leo Johnson [C] is lionized for his heroism at the FRC terror attack by FRC President Tony Perkins  [photo: BD Matt]

While there were many poignant presentations made at the 2012 Value Voters Summit, the rest paled in comparison to when Leo Johnson took the stage on the first night of the Summit.   Only a month before, Johnson thwarted a mass casualty terror attack on the Family Research Council. On August 15th, 2012 a  28 year old man disgruntled at  traditional marriage advocacy tried to enter  the FRC headquarters.  The visitor had a backpack with 15 day old Chick-fil-A sandwiches and he pulled out a gun.  Building Operations Manager Johnson ducked as a bullet flew above his head.  A second shot struck Johnson in the arm.  The third shot missed and hit a wall.  Even in his injured state, Johnson was able to wrestle the gun away from the assailant. As FRC President Tony Perkins awarded Leo Johnson the organizations highest award for his heroics, there was a long, loud, sustained and sincere applause from the assembled Value Voters Summit audience

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 Other speakers, such as Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R-VA), Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and former Republican Presidential candidate Senator Rick Santorum gave more substantive speeches.  But the rawness of the incident, the real peril posed by this domestic terrorist and the stakes which this incident put on Value Voters exercising their free speech supporting their faith made Leo Johnson's rightful lionization most memorable. SEE MORE from the Value Voters Summit at DCBarroco.com

Views from the Value Voters Summit 2012, Volume 2

Leo Johnson [C] is lionized for his heroism at the FRC terror attack by FRC President Tony Perkins  [photo: BD Matt]

Oliver North lauds the leadership of American Warriors at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Radio Personality Dennis Prager opines about American Exceptionalism  [photo: BD Matt]

Radiance Foundation's Ryan Bomberger explains his "So Get Out" activism  [photo: BD Matt]

Star Parker, founder of Center for Urban Renewal at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) reads the riot act to the Obama Administration  [photo: BD Matt]

VA Atty. Gen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-VA) "lays down the law" at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Ex-Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) urges Value Voters Summit attendees to engage in politics  [photo: BD Matt]

Ex-Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) to raise their Patriot Voices at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, lends her voice to the pre-born at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Frank Gaffney, of the Center for Security Policy, reveals the Muslim Brother influence in the US  [photo: BD Matt]

Retired Gen. Jerry Boyken opines about the Iranian threat at the Value Voters Summit  [photo: BD Matt]

Views from the Value Voters Summit 2012, Vol. 1

The Values Voter Summit was gaveled open by Family Research Council President Tony Perkins.

FRC President Tony Perkins at the Value Voters Summit 2012 [Photo: BD Matt]

Former Growing Pains star Kirk Cameron testified on his road from atheism to his fervent Christian faith. Cameron earnestly explained the symbolism of the subject matter in the Monumental film which he recently produced and directed.

Kirk Cameron at Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

First term Senator Dr. Rand Paul (R-KY) was the first elected official to address the Value Voters Summit. Sen. Paul's gentle remarks were striking for the understanding that his brand of Libertarianism was imbued with morality, particularly concerning pro-life issues.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)  at Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

  House Intelligence Committee Member and former Republican Presidential Candidate Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN 6th) fires up the crowd with a rousing speech over the danger of creeping shariah and into American government.

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN 6th) at the Value Voters Summit 2012   [Photo: BD Matt]

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) suggests that Tea Party friendly politicians can change the status quo in Washington.

Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) at the Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th) proclaims that this is an election that is more than just about the economy but about preserving the moral fabric which allows Liberty and Freedom.

House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th) [Photo: BD Matt]

Dr. Bill Bennett, host of "Morning in America" radio show introduces his former intern from Empower America, Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st).

House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th) [Photo: BD Matt]

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st) gave a hard hitting speech tailored to appeal to the Value Voters Summit which scrutinized how President Obama's record in office does not comport with the mores and priorities of the audience.

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st)  [Photo: BD Matt]

Republican VP nominee Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 1st) at the Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) gave a joyful, free wheeling speech which touted the virtues of the Commonwealth of Virginia which noting how prudent conservative governors had turned around many "Red" states.

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) at the Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

]Ted Cruz, the Republican candidate for the Texas Senate race highlighted how the Democrats now have problems with recognizing God in their platform or traditional morality in their governance.

Ted Cruz at the Value Voters Summit 2012   [Photo: BD Matt]

Gary Bauer, the one time Republican Presidential candidate and former head of the Family Research Council, gave a fire and brimstone speech condemning how the Obama Administration slights Americans' Religious Liberty.

Gary Bauer at the Value Voters Summit 2012  [Photo: BD Matt]

Representative Steve King (R-IA 5th) recounted how President Obama has ignored establish law, especially when it pertains to upholding traditional morality.

Rep. Steve King  (R-IA 5th) at the Value Voters Summit 2012

The afternoon session on the first day of the Values Voters Summit was closed by the dynamic testimony of Kamal Saleem, a former Muslim terrorist who came to know the unconditional love of God and convert to Christianity by y the kindness and example of Good Samaritan Christians who helped him recover from a serious accident as well as experiencing the Voice of the God. It was remarkable that in a gathering with so many faith filled speakers and attendees that Christian convert Saleem was the one to quote the most scripture.

Kamal Saleem at the Value Voters Summit 2012 [Photo: BD Matt]