Grassroots or Astroturf? Inside the Republican 'Parents Party' Rebrand

In the liberal suburbs of Fairfax County, Virginia, conservative parents like Carrie Lukas have come to local school board meetings to air their frustrations with the failures of the public school system during the Covid-19 pandemic. In late January, Lukas used her two minutes during public comment to criticize mask mandates and call for school privatization.

But when Lukas came to the microphone, she represented more than her family. As the president of a right-wing think tank called the Independent Women's Forum, Lukas also advanced the interests of her billionaire donors: some of America's wealthiest people who, for decades, have backed efforts to defund public schools, attack teachers unions, and undermine the scientific community.

The various crises in public education during the pandemic — both real and manufactured — have offered a prime opportunity for wealthy interests to advance this agenda. Meanwhile, Republicans nationwide hope that carrying the “parents party” mantle will help win over suburban voters and carry them back to power in national elections.

[tomover]

Why aren't there actual interviews whereby an Intercept reporter politely and Socratically challenges the people involved with this pseudo-grassroots movement?

[vaporjoes]

.... doesnt matter what you call it.. ITS WORKING

[headwyvern]

I think it's funny how the lady at the end says nothing gets between us and our cause, but the other women said children so she just went with it... Think tanks are destroying humanity.

[KendrixTermina]

the greatest danger to children is ALWAYS from their own parents

[meganbaker]

I’m going to go with Matt Taibbi’s analysis of what happened in the Virginia governor’s race. He went there expecting to confirm the hysteria about white supremacy but found a much more complex, nuanced situation. The journalists I can turn to for complexity and nuance do not include those who see white supremacists behind literally every tree, door and Wal-Mart. What a gift to the establishment this kind of fantasy is.

[quinndawsonosgood]

The political right has fully embraced fascism. This is the "enemy" required to grow their fascists movement

[DjWellDressedMan]

Any School is in the business of education,
if that means things you dont like or dont understand, well go back to school then!

[meganbaker]

The Intercept is hardly one to point the finger at billionaire funders.

[charleskesner]

Thanks for this. Life in the Corporate States of America. UGH.

[hb]

I'm a Fairfax County mom and I'm with the movement. I now support school choice and Republicans.

[danielbond]

I'm so glad I don't have to depend on your Intercept garbage for my news. Who's your financial supporter again? PARENTS MATTERS.

[Praisethesunson]

Hey Koch would ban this stuff directly if he could. But the people he pays have found that propaganda is more effective when it's blindly parroted by the rabble.

[redhen]

1960's: "We just want the right to get married."

2020's: "We'll convert your children" - San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus

[johnreinbold]

Why are you against parents? I don't get it