Lt. Governor Steele is absolutely right about this. I would add that we need to focus on voters. We must take our stand on issues they understand.
I watched the Frontline hit-piece on Lee Atwater last night and wondered how he was so effective. He won election after election.
Here’s my take on what he did.
First, he was always on the offensive. In war, as General Patton said, the best defense is a good offense. In politics, the ONLY defense is a good offense.
Second, Atwater’s attacks on opponents weren’t just random hits on their perceived weaknesses. They were on issues that resonated with voters.
When Atwater put Dukakis in a tank wearing that helment, he tied it to the RAT opposition to important defense systems needed to win the cold war. Willie Horton was a good issue becuase crime is an important issue to voters.
When Republicans go after Obama, and go after him we will, we must hit him on issues that voters will notice. Example, Obama is now hiring lobbyists, betraying his promise like he did with campaign finance. And lobbyists are all now chomping at the bailout pie.
Voters need to know that Obama and his Democrat minions are serving up bailout pie to their lobbyist buddies. Do they want coffee with their bailout pie? Voters must be reminded how Obama lied just like before.
High ethics, conservative values, recruiting younger foot soldiers at the state and county committee levels.