Superb! I hope you don't mind, I will add a link to your essay to my links page.
Posted on 10/23/2006 8:45:35 PM PDT by technomage
Never challenge worse.
Amen - Preach on!
I voted early today and I voted all Republican.
I was surprised that there were no Rats on about a third of the local races.
I will be completely honest: I have no idea what that statement means.
I'm of the opinion that the constant attempts at negative reinforcement are not a good approach. The positive accomplishments that matter to potentially disaffected conservatives need to be trumpeted, loud and clear. The weaknesses, as perceived by these same voters, need to be addressed in a manner that reaffirms the commitment of the Republican party to the principles for which these people originally voted. They quite likely feel that the party has abandoned their concerns, so they're considering returning the favor. Swallow the pride and make conciliatory efforts that are more than just window dressing. Time's getting short, so there's no time for spite, on either end of the process.
But I am skeptical. Why? First, because I know the liberal agenda-driven media would want this badly enough to hype in hopes it comes true. (Note the bizarre hype of a frosh do-nothing Senator who is not even on the ballot this year, in the midst of some of the most newsworthy and interesting campaigns in years! Why? Because ... they like him!)
What really has me skeptical is the abject un-necessity and superfluousness of the Democrats. Who needs them? They have no new ideas, and no good ideas; they only have old, broken, ideas that in stubbronness of ideological faith, they won't discard.
Consider the Republican record on economy: Unemployment at record lows (of 4.6%) and 6 million new jobs in the past 4 years ... A stock market, homeownership and minority homeownership at new highs ... Productivity that is higher than ever ... How did it happen? President Bush and the Republican-led Congress passed tax cuts for over 100 million taxpayers, reduced capital gains and dividend and income taxes, and those tax cuts helped fuel the current economic boom. Will the investor class ignore that?
So, I have to think, is it the national security issues where the GOP stumbled? Time and again the Republicans acted with determinination while the Democrats engaged in partisanship; this is the national security record: 1. On missile defense of America — Democrats voted against it. 2. On the Patriot Act — Democrats voted against it. 3. On tapping foreign terrorists' phone calls to the U.S. — Democrats voted against it. 4. On tracing terrorists' money flow between foreign banks — Democrats voted against it. 5. On building a border wall to control illegal immigration and stop dope — dealers, terrorists and criminals — Democrats voted against it. 6. On interrogating captured terrorists — 194 Democrats just voted against it.
Republicans did all of the above with varying levels of Democrat hostility and opposition. The Democrats were and are uninterested in fighting a more effective war on terror, their main focus has been bashing President Bush daily and bashing members of his administration (witness drumbeat against Rumsfeld these days).
Lost in the whole shuffle is the 'values' issues, a convenient one for pro-abortion, anti-defense-of-marriage, anti-God-in-pledge San Fran Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi to see sidelined for now while they hunt for opportunities in Red States..."A hyperpartisan obstructionist" doesnt want her game to be revealed too much.
It seems that by focussing the whole election on one issue Iraq and the related despairing negativity, and engaging in the lie that Iraq is *not* part of the greater war on terror (which it is), the Democrats have managed to make voters forget (1) The fact that Republican policies have helped produce jobs and helped make our economy strong and growing (2) The fact that Republicans are serious and correct in analyzing and fighting the war on islamo-fascist terrorism. (3) The fact that the Democrat leaders in the House are out of touch with mainstream American values.
Given these realities, it is hard to fathom a large-scale abandonment of the GOP for the obnoxiously partisan, ineffective, somewhat corrupt, and quite left-leaning Democrats in Congress. Unfortunately for the GOP, they have not been able to craft a consistent message to counter the Democrat-media combination. The media serves up daily dose of Iraqi violence and chaos, then puts the mike in front of GOP candidate - "Is it time for Rummy to resign?" (John Spencer had the best comeback when said Rumsfeld should go - "You're not President yet!")
With just two weeks to go, there is a basic clear choice for voters: Clear their heads and think clearly about how candidates are on ALL the issues; or unless the voters leave a hold of their senses and throw away much else that they believe in to make some statement on Iraq.
It surely explains Bush's machinations with Generals, his "Border Fence Bill" signing coming up.
But where are the ads that remind the voters of the wider success of the Republicans on the economy and national security? And an attack on the very real extremism of the Democrat left. Without a defense of the whole Republican record, it will easy for the voters to forget.
It's reality versus perception ... and right now, reality has an uphill climb.
That is not an effective strategy for all you get with insults and inuendo is making them even angrier and them just saying to H*ll with you I for sure am not voting.
What we need to do is to keep presenting the issue in a logical manner and with empathy for their feelings of betrayal and appeal to their higher sense of inner logic.
In a sense its an analogy to "Don't Shoot Your Wounded" for they are in a sense they do feel let down.
Reach out with your hand in friendship and stick to the moral higher ground of compassion understanding and still present your side of the case to win them over.
I too have issues with the Republicans but am still voting all R's (have already done by absentee ballot) and am winning a few dissaffected folk back to our camp with these tactics.
Its in a sense a sales job you don't want to shame them to your way you want to Sell them on your way and give them new logical perspectives to make the next right decision.
Freegards to all....DN
Don't forget the immature tantrums they threw, too, when things didn't go their way.
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Superb! I hope you don't mind, I will add a link to your essay to my links page.
Could not agree more and added to your thoughts in post 10.
Thanks DN
It actually reminds me of the internal mudslinging that occurred over the past year or two, that produced much of the disaffectation in the first place.
Link to this excellent, logical, thoughtful essay is now on my Links page.
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bookmarks
Correct link:
http://www.freerepublic.com/~fairopinion/links?U=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freerepublic.com%2Ffocus%2Fmy%2F
It has several excellent articles on this subject, but technomage's is one of the best.
Well, I am honored!! It was just an off the cuff rant that I know I could have done better, if I had taken the time.
But, thank you. That is quite a compliment!!
Just looked at your page and saved it. Quite a few excellent articles there.
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