Russ Greene Calls for Increased Partisan Polarization, Criticizes Modern Right's Ideological Drift

Political commentator Russ Greene recently took to social media to express a stark critique of contemporary conservative movements, advocating for "more partisan polarization and policy disagreement." In a tweet, Greene drew a sharp contrast between what he described as "1960’s era conservatives" and current figures associated with the "Fuentes adjacent" right, accusing the latter of being "FDR admirers who want to collaborate the progressive regime."

Greene, a Senior Fellow for economic progress at Stand Together Trust and a New Whig Fellow at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, characterized conservatives of the 1960s as "far right radicals, who opposed the progressive regime root and branch." This period saw the rise of a movement defined by strong anti-communism, advocacy for limited government, free-market economics, and traditional social values, largely in opposition to the expanding federal programs of the New Deal and Great Society eras. Figures like Barry Goldwater championed these principles, fundamentally challenging the prevailing liberal consensus.

However, Greene's criticism pivots to modern figures, specifically mentioning Nick Fuentes and his associates. Fuentes, a prominent far-right, white nationalist livestreamer, leads the "America First" movement, known for its antisemitic, white supremacist, and anti-immigrant stances. His ideology is characterized by a rejection of mainstream conservatism and a desire for a Christian nationalist state, often clashing with established political norms and institutions.

The assertion that Fuentes and "Fuentes adjacent posters" are "FDR admirers who want to collaborate the progressive regime" appears to be a rhetorical device employed by Greene. Fuentes's documented views consistently oppose what he perceives as the "progressive regime" and its liberal policies, making a literal admiration for Franklin D. Roosevelt's expansive government programs unlikely. Greene's statement likely serves as a critique of what he views as a statist or nationalist deviation within some segments of the modern right, which he sees as compromising core conservative principles, rather than a factual claim about Fuentes's historical appreciation for FDR. Greene concluded his tweet with a lament, stating, "Shame. We need more partisan polarization and policy disagreement," underscoring his belief in the necessity of clear ideological divides.