Posted on 04/02/2007 1:21:34 PM PDT by Bob J
We are losing the media battle for the hearts and minds of Americans over the war on terrorism in Iraq. The left controls the MSM...networks, much of cable, the major newspapers, magazines, hollywood, academia, etc. Rallies get scant coverage, positive developments in Iraq get spiked and the news is ALL BAD. They are never going to report fairly until they have elected a dem as President, and then it will be too late.
Now we're never going to convince the hardcore lefties or committed dems who will support anything, no matter how much it hurts the country, as long as it helps elect dems to office. We don't need to convince those of us on the right, that is just preaching to the choir and a waste of resources.
If we want to change the course of public opinion we need to reach those middle swing voters, independents and leaning pubbies who supported the war at the beginning but are now "going wobbly" as Margaret Thatcher might say.
The only way we can reach the public is by going around the MSM. This doesn't leave many avenues but there is one...outdoor advertising. While we don't have the money to rent thousands of billboards (yet) there is one thing we can do in the next 18 months that could be very effective...bumper stickers.
BS are traveling billboards and each one can create hundreds of impressions a day. Getting 100k or 500k or even 1 million BS's out on cars before the next election might help turn the tide.
1. The goal - Reshape majority opinion on the need to stay the course in Iraq.
2. Target - Independents, right leaning dems, swing voters and wobbly pubs and conservatives.
3. Method - Create millions of impressions each day that impact people on the need to defeat terror in Iraq and to support the Iraqi people in their efforts to create a funtioning democracy.
We need to create BS "slogans" that our targets will go "hmmm" at. They can't be in your face, they can't be overtly political and they absolutely cannot make them feel like they are traitors or are being accused of not supporting the military. If that is the impression created we'll lose them before we even get a shot at them. Many if not most of these "targets" DID support the war at one time and DO feel they support the military, but the left has been effective in co-opting that theme with "Yes, support the military by bringing them home", so it's impact has been diminished. This isn't saying supporting the troops isn't a noble cause and those efforts should be terminated, as it's important for our soldiers to know they have our support. But this media effort is not targeted at the military.
So, put yourself in the shoes of someone who at one time supported the effort in Iraq and maybe now has changed their mind. What could we put in a bumper sticker that might have them saying to themselves "Hmmm, I didn't think of that", or "I think that's right".
Please keep in mind brevity is critical to success in people seeing and understanding the message. The rule of thumb in marketing is you have 3 seconds, at best, to get your point across.
NOTE - We haven't come up with a plan yet on distributing the BS. The idea is still in it's conceptual stage, but all suggestions are welcome.
I also like “Complete Our Mission in Iraq:.
How about:
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over
Don’t abandon Iraq now
Or
It ain’t over yet
Don’t abandon Iraq
Finish the job in Iraq
We owe Iraq peace
Finish the job!
(needs work, trying for the guilt button)
It's unfair we're winning
in Iraq Waaaaaaa!
Waaaaa! We’re winning!
Make it stop! Make it stop!
Good one.
Vote Democrat, the Iranians are counting on you.
Self defense. It's more than a right, it's a responsibility.
Respect diversity, except when someone holds a different opinion.
John Kerry served in VietNam so he could show us how to lose in Iraq.
If fire doesn't melt steel, how did Rosie's farrier fit her shoes?
McCarthyism, it's more than a Democratic strawman, it's watered-down version of their policies.
Free speech is a sacred right, until you offend someone.
Does the sale of carbon credits make Al Gore the new Haliburton?
NUKE THEIR ASS & TAKE THEIR GAS!
Victory in Iraq & beat the Crats
Pray for W and Our Troops
“Pray for Victory or Pray for Mercy”
“Peace or Freedom: You can only have one”
“Peace without Freedom or Freedom without Peace: You can only have one”
It’s a war, stupid!
“Pray for Victory or Pray to Mecca”
Good one :)
ISLAM IS HUMANITY IN RETROGRADE
” How far do you stand from an attack on your home? “
*Gen. Robert E. Lee*
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.