David Keene: The Conservative Movement’s Greatest Mentor Has Left Us
The conservative movement lost one of its most consequential architects when David Keene passed away at 80—a man who understood that movements die without new blood, and who spent decades proving that principle through action rather than rhetoric.
Ann Coulter’s endorsement changed my life in 2006 with seven simple words: “You only have to tell Lisa to do something once.” That email prompted Keene to hire me as Director of the Conservative Political Action Conference, launching a partnership that would last five transformative years.
A Leader Who Actually Believed in Leadership
Most establishment figures pay lip service to developing young talent. Keene actually did it.
At 28, I found myself directing CPAC under his chairmanship of the American Conservative Union. He didn’t just give me a title—he gave me a voice. When I disagreed with board members, sponsors, congressmen, or senators, Keene ensured I had the same platform to make my case as anyone else in the room.
I won some of those battles. Not because of my age or experience, but because Keene cared about ideas, not hierarchies.
The Art of Strategic Compromise
Working alongside Keene provided a masterclass in effective conservative leadership that today’s movement desperately needs to relearn.
I watched him negotiate with people he didn’t like—and who didn’t like him. I saw him defend individuals he disagreed with on policy because principle demanded it. Every decision came down to one question: What serves the conference attendees best?
When he called one of my speaker suggestions “inspired,” I was walking on air for days. That’s the power of a mentor who knows when to encourage and when to challenge.
The Champion of Conservative Populism Before It Had a Name
Unlike the Old Guard gatekeepers who viewed grassroots energy as a threat, Keene saw it as oxygen for the movement.
He fought to give everyone a seat at the table—from Chris Barron’s efforts to represent conservative gays and their allies, to Tea Party leaders who were openly criticizing his congressional friends. Keene understood what many establishment Republicans still refuse to accept: a movement that excludes dissent is already dead.
In February 2010, Keene made a gutsy call. He wanted Marco Rubio—then a long-shot primary challenger against Charlie Crist—as CPAC’s opening speaker. This wasn’t accident or charity. Keene knew exactly what message that sent to his Republican friends and to the media watching.
Spotting Winners Before Anyone Else
Keene elevated dozens of young leaders and unknown activists over the years, giving them spotlights they couldn’t have earned anywhere else.
He still thought of himself as one of us—because he was. His own journey in the conservative movement began on a college campus, and he never forgot it.
When Rush Limbaugh delivered his legendary closing address at CPAC 2009, Keene suggested I introduce him. The networks would be covering it live. Any prominent congressman, senator, major donor, or organization head would have jumped at the opportunity.
Keene chose me instead—simply because I’d mentioned during a planning session that Rush had gotten me excited about conservatism. Rush was my Reagan, and that mattered to David.
The Trump Introduction Nobody Wanted (Then)
A few years later, Donald Trump made a surprise CPAC appearance, thanks to Chris Barron’s connections. I expressed interest in introducing Trump because I enjoyed his candor.
Also, no one else asked.
How times have changed.
The Man Who Kept CPAC Accessible
Keene made himself available to virtually anyone who sought his counsel. Friends and acquaintances regularly approached me requesting meetings with him. Unless scheduling absolutely prevented it, he never refused.
He was always ready to advise young conservatives and listen to their ideas.
Under Keene’s leadership, CPAC became the must-attend event for College Republicans and conservative students nationwide. In CPAC’s early years, he made a promise to President Reagan that the conference would never be priced beyond students’ reach. Even as hotel costs climbed, student registration remained between $25-50, with early bird rates at $15.
Keene also understood CPAC’s value as a reunion for what Hillary Clinton would later call the “vast right-wing conspiracy.” The real action wasn’t just on stage—it happened in the bar, at ancillary events, in the hallways. CPAC became where people met future colleagues, allies, and spouses.
The Lessons That Endure
Though we hadn’t spoken in years, it’s critically important to me that David Keene be remembered as the intellectual and activist giant he was.
In five years working for him, I learned which battles deserve fighting. I learned the importance of loyalty to friends. While I wish our partnership had lasted longer (we both departed in 2011), I’ll always be grateful he gave me the chance to lead CPAC during a pivotal moment for conservatism.
I’ll remember the man himself—extraordinary in a city and industry that treats people as disposable and transactional.
His daughter Kerry wrote: “I will remember not the public figure, but a father who welcomed me as his own, who gave me a home, and my first job.”
I will always think of him that way, too.
Lisa De Pasquale is an author, columnist, and the former director of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). She’s a frequent guest on Fox News and Fox Business, the founder of “Bright” on Substack, and the author of “The Gen X Handbook for Middle Age: The Pursuit of Health, Success, and Human Fulfillment.” Follow her on Twitter/X: @LisaDeP and on Instagram at @Lisa_DeP.
