Posted on 11/21/2009 4:49:55 PM PST by HokieMom
Hopefully, they're putting the various aspects of that election under a microscope as well. Figuring out what went right and what needs to be improved for next time -- for victory!
“Not only was McDonnell a candidate whose values match the majority of Virginia voters, he had a highly competent advertising agency able to showcase his strong resume in effective ways.”
Absolutely. Every GOPer, if he/she truly desires to win, should emulate McDonnell’s campaign process. He spoke directly to what concerns us here in VA: jobs, transportation and taxes. My message to GOP candidates:
It isn’t that hard. Do it Bob’s way, and you’ll maximize your chances of winning.
But I thought McDonnell was a puppet of Pat Robertson. Seriously though there was an article in National Review recently where the writer suggested that the GOP could learn alot from Sarah Palin’s 2006 governors campaign with the way she sensitively handled various contentious socal issues.
McDonnell says were gonna with without attacking Barack Obama?
That’s what McCain did last time.
Lets try the Palin prescription this time - both barrels at once.
It is true that McDonnell never attacked Obama personally, although he did attack Obama's policies.
Other than that, this entire "prescription" is false. McDonnell didn't just run on economic policy -- in fact, if you had to say ONE thing he ran on, it was transportation.
And far from ignoring the "divisive social issues", McDonnell confronted them head-on. HE is the one who brought up his own thesis from College. He is the one who said he was against ALL abortions, even for rape and incest. He was the candidate who, a week before the election, publicly declared that he wanted to stop funding Planned Parenthood.
The reason he could target independents is because he applied CONSERVATIVE principles to solving problems that independents cared about, like transportation.
McDonnell is about the most conservative guy we've run for Governor in years. And New Jersey elected a pro-life governor. After the moderates lost big-time in 2008, the conservatives have shown how it's done.
Note that the Moderate/liberals tried to run a moderate/liberal in NY-23, and she did so bad she quit the race.
The dimbulbs of the GOP seemed to have missed item 1 on the McDonnell list: drill here now! Is anyone in Mexifornia listening?
McDonnell went after Obama’s policies with both barrels but never attacked the man personally. Once, I heard him say where he agreed with Obama was on charter schools. This is important to help get the vote of the independent swing voters who voted for the guy a year ago. No need to clobber them with their dopiness just reel them in now that they’ve seen the error of their ways.
Here’s one of the effective ads I referred to as relates to your point on energy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTM5ZqigJl4
It moves fast so I have to watch it twice to catch it all.
Virginians must secretly like Pat Robertson. Every time someone hit McDonnell over the head with Pat’s name, McDonnell’s poll numbers would rise.
I know! I'm pinching myself. Might have to attend the inauguration. Haven't been since Jim Gilmore.
What happened in Virginia was that the rest of the Commonwealth, specifically the southern and western areas, finally woke up to what Obama, Pelosi, and Reid are doing and voted overwhelmingly Republican. In coal country, cap and tax was the huge issue, with Southwest Virginia throwing out Rat incumbents across the board and even electing a Republican delegate for the first time in 60 years.
The friendly "middle of the road" strategy they are now gushing about had nothing to do with it.
I don’t see Haley Barbour and others as advocating a cookie cutter strategy. I see them encouraging others to be bold and steadfast in the onslaught that will come their way.
I’m not talking about The Governor I’m talking about the talking heads of the Republican party!!!!!
Maybe the GOP has someone in mind to run against Rick Boucher next year to keep the trend going.
We’ll be rooting for you as we try and unseat Jim Moran! I think you’ve got a real shot at it. We might unseat Connolly next door since his district went McDonnell, but Moran’s is virtually hopeless.
The WaPO is still trying to tie Pat Roberston to McDonnell. When Pat Robertson declared on the 700 Club that Islam is a violent religion, the WaPO demanded that McDonnell disavow Pat Robertson. McDonnell response was that he is not responsible for Pat Roberston’s beliefs. Good for him.
I wonder if the issue was neven raised during his campaign, what with all the feel-good messaging going on and a smart ad agency running the show.
ex animo
davidfarrar
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