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Jonah Goldberg: Hey GOP: Show, don't tell
The Morning Journal ^ | December 26, 2014 | Jonah Goldberg

Posted on 12/26/2014 4:59:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Hey, Jeb, Ted, Rand, Marco, Bobby, Chris and the dozen or more others I’m forgetting, here’s something to write on your bathroom mirror in 2015 and beyond: The “P” in POTUS stands for “President,” not “Pundit.”

I understand that the Seinfeldian faux-holiday Festivus is behind us, but I want to get at least this one grievance in for next year a bit early. Republicans have a tendency to tell, not show.

They feel the need to explain why they are saying something, rather than work at simply saying what they need to say convincingly. I call it “reading your stage direction.”

The first president Bush was probably the worst sufferer of this political malady. The most famous example was when he was running against Bill Clinton in 1992. Clinton was probably the best faker of sincerity in modern American politics.

Sticking with the Seinfeld theme, he followed George Costanza’s dictum, “It’s not a lie if you believe it.” Clinton could convince himself that whatever he was saying was the truth, and that helped him sell himself as the Great Empathizer.

Poor President Bush, a deeply humane man, surely cared as much as Clinton about the plight of the voters, but he came from more buttoned-up (and zipped up) patrician stock.

And so sometimes he had to tell voters what Clinton could show with a bit lip and teary eye. So in Exeter, New Hampshire, Bush literally read his stage direction off a cue card, like Ron Burgundy in “Anchorman,” proclaiming “Message: I care.” I always wondered if, afterwards, some aide had to tell him, “Sir, you were supposed to convey that message, not literally read it out loud.”

My favorite example came a year earlier, when former Ku Klux Klansman David Duke won a Louisiana primary. Bush came out and issued a statement in which he said “We have — I want to be positioned in that I could not possibly support David Duke because of the racism and because of the very recent statements that are very troubling in terms of bigotry and all of this.”

Rather than express his no doubt sincere disgust for David Duke, he talked about how he wanted to be “positioned.”

Bob Dole told an audience “If that’s what you want, I’ll be another Ronald Reagan.” His campaign strategy in 1996 was to “act presidential.”

The low point of Mitt Romney’s campaign was when he put on his analyst’s hat and told an audience that 47 percent of the voters were simply a write-off because they were, in effect, moochers.

And it’s not just the candidates. The GOP is infested with anonymous flacks and hacks who get a buzz from talking strategy with the New York Times. They admit they might have to “play the race card” or “go negative.” I don’t even know what the race card means any more, but if you’re going to play it, play it. I’ve never met a poker player who said, “I’m going for an inside straight.”

And if you’re going to go negative, by all means go negative. Don’t telegraph to all the world, “This is just a cynical gambit we don’t really believe.” Outrage is so much more believable if you don’t wink to the audience in advance. Don’t worry, plenty of voters, never mind pundits, will catch your phony outrage without the advanced warning.

The same goes for optimism. If you want to be the next Ronald Reagan, be the next Ronald Reagan.

Don’t tell people, “Starring in the role of Ronald Reagan tonight will be...” Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, John Kasich or whoever’s turn it is at the podium.

I’ve heard nearly every 2016 wannabe tell conservative audiences about the importance of optimism. Jeb Bush is particularly high on it these days. He says the nominee must be “joyful.” I agree. But stop telling me about the need for joyfulness and start showing me some frickin’ joy!

One of the main reasons Republicans read their stage direction, I think, is that they see politics as a game. And, as a game, they don’t take it as seriously as those who see politics as an obsession or even a religion.

This speaks well of them as human beings because it suggests that, unlike a lot of liberal Democrats, they don’t think politics — and by extension government — is everything and all-important. That’s a trait I want in a president. But it’s a real problem in a presidential candidate.

So please, more show, less tell.


TOPICS: Issues; Parties; U.S. Senate
KEYWORDS: bush; gop; rubio; tedcruz

1 posted on 12/26/2014 4:59:50 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Republicans need to DO more and TALK less.

We have the house and senate. Show me something.

2 posted on 12/26/2014 5:02:56 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (Democrats have a lynch mob mentality. They always have.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
So please, more show, less tell.

Hey Jonah, Ted Cruz has been showing you Conservative Leadership for some time now, where have you been?

Pull your head out of wherever it has been and start paying attention!
3 posted on 12/26/2014 5:02:58 PM PST by SoConPubbie (Mitt and Obama: They're the same poison, just a different potency)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Bring on the Passion!
4 posted on 12/26/2014 5:11:10 PM PST by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: ClearCase_guy

They did show us how to cave.


5 posted on 12/26/2014 5:13:51 PM PST by Goreknowshowtocheat
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To: ClearCase_guy
Eggs actly.

Do, talk not.

6 posted on 12/26/2014 5:16:49 PM PST by Paladin2
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To: ClearCase_guy

.

American Patriot Friends ...

We know Obama’s illegal amnesty is a dire threat to American’s constitutional republic; we’re amazed and disgusted that virually no one in the GOP has the raw courage to check Obama’s excursion into tryanny.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad8/Coggeshall1955/FB-1227-61_zps3a35c225.jpg

Mark Levin “Amnesty” Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVQjIhbkSzs

Clearly, with the GOP’s pathetic political surrender (Boehner & McConnell) ...

“We” must rise to stand DEFIANT against Obama’s pillaging of the U.S. Constitution.

A series of national (local) rallies is scheduled for Jan-3, 2015 (Saturday a week on 2015-01-03).

Can you take a moment out of a busy Christmas holiday season and help promote this crucial series of national rallies on 2015-01-03 ?

Momentum is building “nationally” for the rallies, and it’s already scheduled for at least one radio interview on Monday.

Go outside Facebook to engage your friends and local Tea Party folks to participate.

You’re encouraged to call into Mark Levin’s radio show, as well as Eric Erickson, Limbaugh, Mark Davis (etc) as well as your local conservative radio talk show hosts.

As Ronald Reagan said ... “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when No One’s interested in getting the credit.”

Who am I, this event’s organizer ? A simple Patriot, Aerospace Mechanical Engineer, who’s “clean” with absolutely “zero” arrests-changes, and a former U.S. top secret clearance.

As you’ll see below, I’m not asking for any $$$ financial donations. Ever.

Godspeed.

Douglas Coggeshall (Tampa, FL)
Stop-Obama-Amnesty@Engineering-Excellence.US

RSVP at the Facebook event “Obama Amnesty — National Protest : 2015-01-03”

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad8/Coggeshall1955/FB-1227-61_zps3a35c225.jpg


National Rallies : STOP Obama Amnesty - FIRE Boehner : 2015-01-03 =================================================

2015-01-03 National Rally Goals:

1) Speak DEFIANCE against Obama’s Illegal Amnesty !

2) FIRE Speaker John Boehner by encouraging House GOP to select Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) as the next House Speaker.

3) Tell the GOPe-RINO gang (Juan McCain, Karl Rove, Reince Priebus, Jeb Bush) that we WILL NOT TOLERATE their pathetic political surrender to Obama’s clear agenda to DESTROY our AMERICAN REPUBLIC.

4) Express our Patriots’ DEFIANT OUTRAGE ... in the face of BITTER COLD WINTER, just as Generals Washington and Patton won GREAT victories at Trenton (Christmas 1776) and Bastogne (Battle of the Bulge, Christmas 1944).


On Saturday Jan. 3, 2015 ... we will ALL STAND DEFIANT in the BRAVE tradition of American Patriots before us ... our fathers and grandfathers ... at Valley Forge, Yorktown, the Battle of New Orleans, San Juan Hill, Belleau Wood, Midway, Omaha Beach, Iwo Jima, Chosin Reservoir, Battle of Ia Drang, and Battle of 73 Easting.

Share with ALL Patriot Friends and Tea Party groups ... WHY ?

Ted Cruz, Jeff Sessions, Mike Lee, Trey Gowdy (et al) GREATLY appreciate our support ...

A great Patriot turn-out encourages the Senate and House GOP to FIRE the Machiavellian traitors John Boehner and Mitch McConnell ...


RSVP at the Facebook event “Obama Amnesty — National Protest : 2015-01-03”


You’re encouraged to send Rally photographs to “Stop-Obama-Amnesty@Engineering-Excellence.US” where they will be posted (in collage form) at the Free Republic website (you’ll be provided the internet link).

Follow this link (below) to download Hertiage Foundation Report (PDF) on $$$ Trillion-dollar Illegal Amnesty Cost

http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2013/pdf/sr133.pdf


Step out — be COURAGEOUS ... Organize your own LOCAL Rally !

1) Select your location (primary and secondary)

2) Continue recruiting team members for rally NEXT Saturday.

3) Encourage your local Tea Party chapters to join your team.


Rally Team Planning Tips : Team Assignments (Very Important !)

1) Sign Coordinator

2) Security (Two Persons taking Pictures / Videos of the Team Protest)

This includes one person on the group’s perimeter in case the wrong people approach and try to disrupt your rally team.

3) Hot Coffee & Doughnuts Coordinator (it’ll be COLD that day)

4) Transportation for Team members with special needs

5) Vehicle Parking Coordinator (locates safe parking)

6) Special Events Person (the “Runner” for unexpected actions)

7) Communications Coordinator : Press Spokesman & inviting others such as Tea Party groups

8) Team Protection Coordinator : Primarily to keep the “Violent” and “Crazies” away

9) Prayer Leader : Your Patriotic Protest Team will absolutely need The LORD’s blessing and protection !


Douglas Coggeshall ... Aerospace Mechanical Engineer

Stop-Obama-Amnesty@Engineering-Excellence.US

Financial $$$ donations NOT accepted or solicited !

You’re asked to share this event (Inside/Outside Facebook).

Godspeed to You, Everyone ...
.


7 posted on 12/26/2014 5:27:44 PM PST by Patton@Bastogne
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To: SoConPubbie

It takes more than one Cruz missle to get something done.

I don’t think most R’s are interested in rocking the boat, but I hope I’m wrong.

We’ll know very soon.


8 posted on 12/26/2014 5:41:57 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Life is good.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I get what Jonah is trying to say, but in the long run, most of the theatrics on our side is all for naught. There is a sector of Americans who will simply not evaluate the positions of the candidates from either party and make a choice.

Most of these kinds of voters are simply interested in one thing: which party will give them the most stuff. Which party will take the most from the producers and give to them, the takers. Great presentations will only go so far.

9 posted on 12/26/2014 5:51:56 PM PST by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They don’t want to do any of it.


10 posted on 12/26/2014 6:58:39 PM PST by TBP (Obama lies, Granny dies.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
"The GOP is infested with anonymous flacks and hacks who get a buzz from talking strategy with the New York Times." (The booze helps!)

Here's one now:

 photo BOEHNERDESK_zps7640f99f.jpg

11 posted on 12/26/2014 7:27:33 PM PST by Dick Bachert (This entire "administration" has been a series of Reischstag Fires. We know how that turned out!)
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To: ClearCase_guy

And if they DO talk, they need to learn how to communicate the wonders of freedom, the individual making his own choices, liberty, capitalism, limited government, and states’ rights. Hardly any of them can do that, probably because they really don’t believe it.


12 posted on 12/26/2014 7:29:48 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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