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.
Must have been a "Tolerance" bird.
What do Kennedy, Clinton and Pelosi have in common? They all want the terrorist to win.
You only support the troops if you want them to win.
Either Iraq or here...which is it?
Islamofacism or victory...Choose
Liberal leadership...a friend to islamic terror
Lying
Intently
Because
Everyone
Resists
All
Liberals
Keep terrorism there...not here
America...Quit sending quitters to Washington
Iraq...lose there...lose everywhere
When Liberals rise...terrorism thrives
Liberal cowardice is power to terrorism
That's about the best yet.
Quite right ... Thanks ... that's the trouble with Work N Lurk mode LOL.
Tell me a few you've got. I want to make some. Thanks. RD
"Have you had your car keyed?"
I had a neighbor spray paint my back bumper in 1964 when I had a Goldwater sticker.
How 'bout this, then. Each has three lines, the first always being:
"If other wars had been run by today's Democrats..."
Then...
"Don't up the ship!" (Captain James Lawrence, War of 1812)
"Give Up The Ship!" (Nancy Pelosi, 2007)
"Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!" (Admiral David Farragut, 1864)
"Damn the Torpedoes! Full Astern!" (Rep. John Murtha, 2007)
"I have not yet begun to fight" (John Paul Jones)
"I'm done fighting." (Sen. Harry Reid, 2007)
"Retreat, hell! We just got here!" (Capt. Lloyd Williams, USMC, 1918)
"Retreat! Hell, we've been here long enough!" (Democrats, 2007)
WAR BUILDS CHARACTER!
Good ideas but forget the dems, they are a lost cause. We're not going to win this if all we want to do is smack them upside the head. That's an emotional response (and a satisfying one I admit) but we need to move our focus off them and onto swaying public opinion.
They want us to stay focused on them because they know it keeps are attention diverted from more successful strategies.
God luv em, there are a lot of people on FR who have done nothing but try to get in the dims and peaceniks faces for years, and where has it gotten us?
The best way we can support the troop is by helping make it possible for them to stay and finish the job.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
We're probably limitd to 2 lines and 25 characters on each, I think.
"Retreat, Surrender, Slavery"
"Retreat=Surrender=Slavery"
I support (local sports franchise)
Don't fund away games!
Bring [the Niners] home!
The Surge is Working!!
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Good thread of an idea..how about..
"Win In Iraq or 911 will be back"
Gotta be short and sweet on a BS.
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