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.
The sticker on my car, above my Rudy sticker, says:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE
KILL TERRORISTS
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Of course, it doesn’t reach out to the libs, who can’t understand that killing the bad guys is a necessary condition for peace. Liberals are against fighting in general, which means they think nothing is worth fighting for, like nihilists.
Don’t let your babies grow up to wear burquas
The World can’t live
1/2 Free & 1/2 Slave
They both are extremists that blow things up
Support the war on terrorism
I like these two “Todd Beamer did not cower or retreat ,LETS ROLL”
or “What did Todd Beamer understand that Democrats dont?”
Bigger Bunker-Buster Booster
VICTORY, accept NO substitute!
People for the Ethical Treatment of Terrorists
How about this child? Stop Enabling Terrorists
American Idol and Islamic Radical Idol are two very different things aren't they?
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. Keep ‘em coming if you have more ideas!
Bob J posted them too!!
should not involve living in a Liberal Cocoon
Democrats Hate Our Troops
These Colors don't run, they just fade away.
In Iraq Democrats own the deed for failure
In Iraq Democrats own the Deed to Defeat
If war is your problem, retreat is not the answer.
If terrorism is your problem, lawyers are not the answer.
War was the answer in 1940s [WWII].
War against Nazis was the answer [once] before.
The shortest [fastest, best] road [way] to peace is defeat of your enemies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.