In May of 2022 we lost Rob Stein — an architect of progressive infrastructure and one of the most visionary strategists of his generation.
Rob was deeply respected and warmly regarded by nearly everyone who met him, regardless of politics or background. Over his long career in the nonprofit and private sectors, government service, and political strategy, he helped launch multiple organizations that have shaped the progressive movement for decades.
He is best known as the founder and first CEO of the Democracy Alliance, where he brought together a network of major donors committed to building durable progressive infrastructure. That work channeled billions of dollars into organizations that continue to have national impact — from policy think tanks to voter mobilization efforts.
Rob’s legacy is not just in the institutions he built, but in the thousands of people he inspired with his vision, strategic brilliance, and unwavering belief that sustained investment can drive transformational change. His passing left a profound void, but his example continues to guide and motivate those working for a more just and equitable future.
In addition to his behind-the-scenes leadership, Rob understood the power of storytelling. Three days before his death, he created the video below to capture both the history and the urgency of building a permanent progressive infrastructure. It is not just a history lesson — it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about the future of our democracy.
Video Summary: The Development of the Right-Wing Network
Rob’s presentation traces how the modern conservative movement deliberately built a long-term infrastructure over six decades. Key points include:
Origins in the 1950s–1960s: McCarthyism and the John Birch Society injected conspiracy thinking and hardline anti-communism into the GOP. Barry Goldwater’s 1964 campaign marked the takeover of the party’s soul by its most uncompromising wing.
The Powell Memo (1971): A call to corporate America to organize and invest for the long haul, triggering the creation of a web of conservative think tanks and advocacy organizations, heavily funded by wealthy families like the Kochs, Coors, and Bradleys.
Building Policy Infrastructure: By the 1970s–80s, institutions like the Heritage Foundation, ALEC, the Federalist Society, and state-level policy networks proliferated, shaping legislation and public opinion across the country.
Citizens United & Dark Money (2010): The decision supercharged conservative capacity. Americans for Prosperity built what Rob calls “the most powerful, privately funded political trust in the history of democracy,” aligning billions in regulated and unregulated spending to dominate elections in more than 30 states.
Trumpism & Disinformation: The right weaponized lies, distrust, and cultural resentment. A for-profit disinformation ecosystem — from Fox News to Breitbart to localized digital outlets — now aggregates 40–50 million loyal consumers, shaping narratives and fueling authoritarian populism.
Global Authoritarian Links: American authoritarian networks are reinforced by and connected to regimes like Russia and China, spreading disinformation and undermining democracy worldwide.
Rob makes the case that progressives must do the same: commit to long-term investment, align around shared goals, and build institutions that can shape public opinion and policy for generations. It’s a candid, urgent reminder that political wins are fleeting unless they are backed by enduring capacity.
In this final video, Rob clearly and powerfully laid out the challenge — and the need for a progressive response.
