Whether you like it or not, in politics, the aggressor usually shapes the debate. Posted on 11/14/2013 12:36:52 PM PST by Drew McKissick
Whether you like it or not, in politics, the aggressor usually shapes the debate.
This means that, in terms of political messaging, it’s best to be on offense so that you can advance your agenda on your own terms and on your own schedule.
The reverse scenario is that you get blindsided and are forced to respond to your opposition. The more unprepared someone is to respond, the less effective their response will be, and the more likely that they’re constantly playing defense.
In American politics, liberals (excuse me, “progressives”) are usually the aggressors. Generally speaking, it's liberals who want to change the pre-existing, more conservative norms of society and government, (you know, "hope-n-change", etc.).
This fact has several ramifications:
First, it allows liberals to set the terms of the public debate and put conservatives on the defensive.
Second, it usually makes us look negative, (as liberals will generally push until the conservative opposition starts to look hysterically negative…which makes the news media happy, as they love to show conservatives in a negative light).
At this point, they may take a step back from their own radical position and offer a compromise in order to appear “reasonable” and “moderate”. Of course, if the “compromise” is accepted, they have still advanced their agenda. (Remember, a journey of a thousand miles…) They see liberalism as a ratchet that only turns one way in our society.
The solution is for conservatives to be the aggressors.
We need to spend more time being the proponents of “change” – as in changing things to better align with, protect or reclaim conservative norms. Things that average people can connect with and relate to on an everyday basis.
Given the current state of our country, there’s no shortage of things to be aggressive about.
Remember, the best defense is a good offense.
And Alinsky mocking works for both sides!
We know this already. The people know. The Tea Party knows. Freepers know. On some level, I think our leaders “know”. But they won’t. We have begged them to go on offense. But they won’t.
I saw an article this morning quoting Reince Priebus as saying the Republicans are going to tattoo “Obamacare” on the foreheads of Democrats for the 2014 election. Well Reince, why not start right now? What’s holding you back? For days after the battle of Gettysburg, as the Confederates slowly withdrew, Lincoln urged Meade to attack the retreating army while they were at their weakest. It would have ended the war. But he wouldn’t. What do we do with “leaders” who have no stomach for a fight when that fight is needed the most? This is why McConnell is now in trouble and facing a primary challenge.
Make them defend their party against that.
IMO, it works better on the Dems. And, every Repub from the Speaker of the House to the local dog catcher should begin start any sentence with Obama admitted that he lied about Obamacare... The idea is to flood the airwaves with this meme. So when the big O talks, like today, everybody including the LIV's will question what he is saying. The second phase would be to attach any Democrat with this tar baby (was that racist?) ex.: Harry Reid is a stooge for Obama.
Pick a target. Freeze it. Ridicule it. Personalize it. See tagline.
He starts out telling everyone that the system as it was could not be sustained as was broken, uh............NOT! He needs to be in leg irons
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