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To: Blue Collar Christian

“What can we do to win your vote?”

Good point. This should be the focal question going forward for any political party.
At present, I don’t see the R party’s plan for answering this question. The focus of the R party seems to be, “How can we rid ourselves of some of our voters?” instead of “How can we retain and grow our voter numbers?” Despite that, it is useful to consider the individual’s motivation to vote. It is an individual activity, done in secret. Therefore, the major psych theories that explain the translation of an attitude into a vote aren’t entirely useful—I am referring, for example, to those theories that have a social norms component. If we look at Expectancy Theory, we might learn some things about secret voter motivation. Expectancy says a person must believe they can vote for your party (that was enhanced by the Dem’s when they pushed early voting and motor voter registrations). The voter must then believe their is a positive vote outcome—This means they get their student loan paid off, welfare payments, free phones, etc., while not having to pay for any of it. The Dem’s are good at that but an opposition party can also do these things but in a different way. If the opposition party (let’s call them “R”) emphasizes the personal cost of voting being higher with a vote for the other guy and lower if the vote is case for R, then the motivation can change. Ridicule of people who vote for the opposition is a useful tool, too. Everyone wants to think they are smart, despite how they act or how educated they are. Make voting for the opposition look stupid and make opposition voters look stupid. Make voting for your team look smart. That is easy to do and is low cost. There is lots more you can do but mild, no offense, tactics are uninspiring and won’t motivate a voter. Simple, catchy messages that signal voting for you is the smart thing to do, personally and as a citizen, are good to repeat.
Just my 2 cents of recommendations.


17 posted on 12/10/2012 7:49:40 AM PST by iacovatx (Conservatism is the political center--it is not "right" of center)
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To: iacovatx

Too bad we’re so short of patriots. If citizens voted for what is best for the country instead of what they feel is best for themselves things would be different.

Of course, this human frailty is the same reason the coming communism won’t work either.


29 posted on 12/10/2012 7:00:25 PM PST by Blue Collar Christian (I hope we're ready to get a real candidate next time. C'mon GOP! <BCC><)
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