Ok, so the last piece was not a happy read, and honestly, I did not intend to be. Our current politics divides us so completely, that one side does not understand the other, and in case you missed it, the Left side is poised, at least in my view- to stay in power for the foreseeable future.
Several of my republican friends have asked me how to reverse the overwhelming negativity of the last post and suppose out loud how to make the Republican cause solvent again. This is a question that was width and breadth, but the simple answer is to do whatever it takes to understand mathematics, in terms of the Rule of 31. Do the math, and lock down 31%. When this is done, they win. To arrive at this mathematical milestone, a few notions that I would recommend:
Determine a strategy and stick with it.
The very best strategy is the one that works, and this is the million-dollar question, and won’t be known to the strategist until it is standing victorious or standing on the wreckage of defeat. The worst strategy is one that tries to do everything and does nothing ultimately- political white rockets that are neither hot nor cold, and so then are spit out.
So firstly, if we analyze the last two attempts, (2020/ 2022) I would say that the strategy in either year did not work out well for the Republicans. In view of this, it may be time for the Republicans to enact a change in thinking, and a different approach.
Every strategic method that is innovative and different from what has been done before is theoretical. It is risky to turn a blind ear to those with experience, that have wins under their belt using the tried and true. However, strategic theories which succeed in conforming to a changing environment, especially after the old school ones have failed more than once, are the ones that are revolutionary.
I do not think that the Conservatives can play it safe, and only pack rallies with its loyal voters. A strategy that begins with preaching to the choir, I do not believe will get it done. Republicans have to get the choir, and 31% beyond it. So, it seems wise to me that enlarging the congregation is the strategy that ought to be selected.
Embrace the moderates.
If the scale of conservativism is graded on a scale of 1-10, ten being the most conservative, then the party does not need to court the vote of those that are dedicated 10s. Or the 9s, 8s, etc. What the party must have are the 6s, all of the 6s- and at least one out of ten 5s (shameless repeat plug of the rule of 31- located here.)
If level ten is uber conservative, level 1 is uber liberal, then those with a 4 to 6 grade are moderates. If our candidate is one that moderates tend not to vote for, well, 51% will not happen. The candidate must be capable of that appeal to those that are moderate to lock down the 6s and the right percentage of 5s.
Be a homewrecker.
I cannot fathom that certain blocks of voters are “owned” by the Liberals, to coin an unfortunate phrase and context. Is there a better deal to be had, that we can whisper to the bored democrat brides and tell them that they are being mistreated / taken for granted in their marriage to the Democrats? That the right can offer a better more attractive deal, and steal them away? That the GOP is not so straitlaced that cheating with them on their party is something that can be exciting and fulfilling?
For example, and again in general and not absolute terms- that the Latin culture is by its nature very conservative. How are they owned, then to a great percentile (60%) by the left? Can the right leverage these values, traditional as they are, and create a separate and distinct strategy to appeal to this block? Certainly they can, if they wish to.
The google search just conducted details that Latin voters feel as if the Democrats “care about them” more Republicans do, despite their traditional values being at odds with the left leaning platform. Democrats care about Latin voters because they vote Democrat to the 60th percentile. How can the Republicans care more for them than where they are currently standing? Surely this, and other voting blocks that are owned can be courted, and the new platform of inclusion must be genuine to guarantee migration- which, as written, may be unfortunate phrasing.
Likewise, female voters. How is the women’s empowerment voting block “owned” when the current sitting party has done little to protect their interests, and do so only when it suits them? They manage it by being the “feeling” party, and not the “take this as it is” party.
Consider more of the subjective:
This about feelings, and Republicans are awful at mobilizing feelings, except for the feelings of fear. This won’t play strategically- as we have seen. Those that vote only on the fear factor the “this country is going to hell in a handbasket”, will come up short. This is directly focused on the presumption that people will vote their hearts, and not heads, especially within the moderates.
The personal touch here works, actually- too well. The Democrats will parade a single example of distress and it has mass appeal to people’s feelings. I remember the ex-Navy Seal going on record about the medicinal value of marijuana, as it is the only thing that works for his pain. Everyone felt this pain with him, “feels” it, so marijuana is good and because we feel this way, we vote this way.
Fighting this firepower with firepower is a really good idea. Miss Gaines, cheated from her title, is an excellent example of one, as we feel her pain. She should be on every Republican stage. Likewise, every other single conservative grade 4-6 that is impacted from the disparity in current standing that was mentioned in the previous piece- Afghanistan, Border, Crime, Sexualizing children……etc., but not guns, because that is an issue with little gravity beyond conservative level 6. How do those that were there feel about it? Can those feelings be exported and attractive? I think so.
Make peace with the media.
Mainstream media. Even if they are anti-conservative. Moderates do not watch Fox news, and if the target is moderates then the Right needs to go where the moderates are. So, we need to get to CNN, MSN, et al. Those that have been victimized by sensational lambasting will find this difficult to do, and rightly so. But, if it needs to be done, then it needs to be done.
If the conservative position is legitimate, then the individual that is dignified has higher ground, the legitimate ground. A proud position that is dignified will be more attractive than hiding. Dismissing the media as illegitimate by simply calling them “fake” is not a dignified position, and honestly, they are right to take offense.
Develop a sense of solidarity.
I think the main thing here is that Republicans do not hold the party line, if there are disagreements between themselves. One can remember, certainly Senators Romney, McConnell, Grahm, and Congressman Chaney that disagreed with the last Republican President publicly. His response was to brand those miscreants with the term RINO. Have we heard any such criticism from the Democrat’s leadership, heaped upon the sitting President? Is there such thing as a DINO? Truly, both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden deserve the criticism, but one side does it, the others do not.
These are observations, theoretical strategies that are likely much too simplistic for those that are professional politicians. As a fellow that is not versed in these things, the sense looks very common to me, but again, this is a soldier’s perspective, and those that know better likely do.
I can’t help but think, that in our system the issue is largely mathematical, and the math is simply not there for the republicans. Even if this makes sense, and the politicians and professional political turned Republicans believe it so, do we really believe that they would be disposed employ such a strategy?
I believe that they would not- and as I think this, it certainly informs a sense of negative registration. The mathematics means- and actually demands- that Republicans must play to the moderate base, and I am not sure they are willing to do so.