Find your voice....today!

I guess a day or two is a long time in politics!!

Business commitments prevented me from catching the Republican presidential candidates debate on Wednesday night and also prevented me from catching Obama’s speech to Congress yesterday.

So here I am writing this blog with no real ammunition in my hands…just second hand opinions from talking heads pushing their own agendas by cherry picking what they want to discuss and repeating the same tired crap they heard from other talking heads.

I don’t want to fall into that particularly sticky fly-trap…so, apart from a couple of cursory comments below, will leave the excitement of this week to those who claim to have actually seen the debates and speech.

I will say a couple of things though.

1. Polls indicate that Perry won the debate…or was it Romney? Maybe another poll suggests that Paul won. Or maybe it was Cain? Santorum and Bachman seem to have dropped behind a little since Perry announced…or maybe they are leading the pack?  

Huntsman? Who?

Gingritch, it is all agreed, won the debate on technical merits…or maybe he lost?

I want to ask a really dumb question.

How can someone “win” or “lose” these debates? Such a measure should be based on scores, with right and wrong answers…the person with the best score wins.

But in an event where some people answer more questions than others, there are no right or wrong answers (just answers that do or do not confirm the individual beliefs of the listener) and the questions are framed by people with their own agenda…how does one determine who wins?

I wrote a post in June after the first debate… http://devereauxdailydose.blogspot.com/2011/06/wanna-win-forget-debates.html

In it I suggested that the candidates must create a moment.

Well, clearly the only moment that these candidates are creating is whether they won or lost.

If they had created a REAL moment…it would have been splashed all over the media by now…and it is not…as I said before….yawn!!

The debates should not be about winning or losing. They should be about presenting the candidates to the public, and allowing the candidates to express their beliefs, their desires for this country and their plans and their execution strategies.

I want to see a debate where there is not a single question asked.

Each candidate gets three minutes to state their case. A
When the buzzer goes off, the sound gets cut. After each candidate has had their three minutes, they get 1 more minute to counteract a statement made by another candidate ONLY if their name has been mentioned. Otherwise, 3 minutes is the sum total of their allotment.

I wonder which of the current candidates can make their case in just 3 minutes?

I can do it in 6 words…can they?

Smaller government, lower taxes, national security

It’s time.

Talking about yawns brings me to the second thing I wanted to mention…

2. From all accounts the speech to Congress was just more of the same with Obama upping the ante to get Congress to act.

The same old crap, the same old infrastructure stuff, the same old extensions to unemployment yadda yadda yadda…

I was going to suggest yesterday that anyone watching this speech could have been well served by creating a drinking game out of it. Every time he said infrastructure or middle class, take a swig. It may have made the time wasted more enjoyable! Maybe I should have made that suggestion?

Anyway, this morning I hear the goon making a speech somewhere in Virginia…..in the two minutes I heard he referred to:-

-         his speech to Congress

-         his bipartisan plan that democrats and republicans had both done before

-         his statement that the “bill” can be passed next week

-         BS, BS BS

My simple comment about this is that this guy is nothing more than a bully and a thug. He took a vacation, he waited 31 months into his presidency before doing something about jobs (apart from making speeches, that is) and he has not yet explained how this plan will be paid for (but he assures us it IS paid for – we believe him,right?)…and now he wants Congress to rush it through the House and Senate in a week?

Either he is insane (which I doubt – he is a buffoon but a sane buffoon) or he is setting up the very political gamesmanship that he accuses Congress of playing. He knows that the House will not pass this Bill without a close study of the fine print (can anyone say Obamacare) and he knows they will most likely not pass it.

He intends to use this to further advance the belief that it is the Republicans and mostly the intransigent tea party who are playing politics with your jobs.

Do not be fooled. The only job this guy cares about is his own!

Enough of him…he is so irrelevant!

On another matter….

I have been outspoken on several occasions about the need for us conservatives to find our voices. That we all need to share our opinions, and our thoughts with confidence and strength as I believe this is the only way to counteract the thugs and bullies on the left.

I want to help you do that. Here’s what I would like…

Anyone who actually watched either the debate or the Presidents speech is invited to write to me with their opinions, thoughts, ideas, reactions etc. (You can email me at devereauxdailydose@gmail.com )

I am going to include a selection of these emails in their exact forms in an upcoming post. I will not include email addresses or any identifying information, so I encourage you to be as candid and non-politically correct as you can be.

If you have views opposing mine that is fine…I am an equal opportunity destroyer of liberal stupidity, so your comments will also be included.

Do not worry about how you write, or how your grammar is….I don’t care about that…you all know that my typing sucks and I make plenty of mistakes. The important thing is that you start to express your opinions…

Finding your voice is one of the most empowering things you can do. Who knows, maybe this could help you become the next great blogger?

If you want to try your hand at expressing yourself, this is a good venue.

Do you want to make a difference? Here’s a small way to start.

IF you just want to write about a personal experience, and not about the debate or speech that is fine…I just ask that you be truthful, always. It must be YOUR experience, not someone else’s, ok? I have no way of checking this, so you are on your honor.

I look forward to reading some interesting mail…and to putting your voices out there, in your words.

And finally, Sunday marks the tenth anniversary of the attacks of 9/11. This is a time of great sorrow for the families of those who lost their lives on that day. It is a time when we should remember and honor the feats of the first responders who rushed into those buildings without a moment’s hesitation. We should remember the spirit and bravery of those people…that is what has made America great.

We must also remember that it was Islamic terrorists who flew those planes into the buildings in a cowardly and clear act of war. That war has only just begun and we must always remain vigilant and wary. We know who the enemy is…we must never become complacent because the enemy will never stop.

To those who lost loved ones on that day, I give you this solemn promise. I will not forget the horrors of that day. I will not forget who did it. I will not forget who they are or what they are.

My town is planning a memorial for the victims of 9/11 on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning. I will be at both. We are thousands of miles from the site, and our pain is but a fraction of the pain some experienced, but we join together in true solidarity and love with people all over this country..

If your city is holding a memorial, I encourage you all to attend and be a part. It is only by becoming a part of something that you truly appreciate its meaning.

The time to be on the sidelines is over. Plug in, get involved, find your voice.

…..devereaux

Will they say what they really mean?

In about 8 hours, the conservative world will grind to a halt...or at least slow down a little as conservatives across the country tune in to Fox to watch what they hope will be the coming together of the best candidates for the Republican nomination for the White House.

Of course, more than a few will likely tune in to see the train-wreck that this thing could easily become.

Let's take a quick look at the players...

Mitt Romney...establishment, seasoned campaigner, good looks aside he is the current front runner...add the photogenic good looks and he is way in front....it is a shame that his message is off target. It is a shame that he is so "establishment"...and it would be disastrous for him to win the nomination. I expect him to spend this debate dumping on Obama (which is, of course, much needed) but he will probably avoid any significant position statements, and will definitely avoid any execution questions. He will play the safe game....not tell anybody what he plans or how he plans to do it...and relying on his "trust me" smile to win votes. Boring!!

Michelle Bachman remains an interesting possibility, if only because it would be great to have a hot woman President. Her message so far seems to be on-target and has gathered the support of the tea party. The left is working hard to tar her with the Palin brush...and to some extent is succeeding. For Bachman to win, she needs to focus on her solutions. If I were advising her, I would be suggesting that she totally ignore the other candidates, not give any credence to comparisons or different ideas....and not be drawn into discussions of policy. Rather, she should strongly answer EVERY question by referring to her policies and plans to execute them. When asked about Obama, she should dismiss the question as being as irrelevant to our future as he is.
If nothing else, this approach could add some much needed interest to what could otherwise be a very boring debate.

Tim Pawlenty? Tim who? As an early favorite he has become nothing more than a suit with a soft voice. Lacking any personality that crosses the airwaves, he is beginning to sound like someone who may have some good ideas, but is too scared to come out and speak loudly and surely against his opponents. I don't see him going anywhere....but of course, maybe he will walk into the debate with a megaphone so he can be heard over all the clutter? On second thoughts, I like the visual...a good prop.

Rick Santorum. Apart from looking like a schoolboy in an adult world, Rick is struggling to find his voice. I suspect that he is still trying to understand what he wants to achieve, much less knowing HOW to achieve it. If I were advising Rick for tonight, I would suggest that he show his determination with a full fronted attack on Obama, and the RINO's in his party. He needs to make it clear that he is not just a younger and less experienced version of the other contenders. He needs to show he has fight in him that is beyond his boyish looks. I personally do not think he has a chance...but who knows?

Newt Gingrich. I like a lot of what Newt says...but I hate a lot of it too. For me, he is establishment without establishment power...the worst of both worlds. Apart from that, I have great trouble with a President called Newt...perhaps this comes from an Australian phrase..."pissed as a Newt" which means uncontrollably inebriated. Hmmm...not very fitting for the President of the United States. Of course, names carry no weight in this country of the free, right? So, he has as much of a chance as any other establishment type.

Herman Cain. An interesting guy who I think would make a great dinner party guest. But a President? I don't know. I suspect he has already caught the establishment disease through his work with the Fed...but at least he has some executive experience that could help in running the White House kitchen. That puts him way ahead of the community organizer. Can he lead the country as we need? I have my doubts, although when I first took a look at him, I found him appealing. I am not sure what he lost...he remains interesting but not enough to get my vote.

Ron Paul. As a conservative aligned to many libertarian principles I should be supportive of someone like Ron Paul. And I actually wish I could be. Unfortunately that is not the case. I support many of his positions, but I wish he didn't sound so crazy. There is something about the way he explains his positions that sounds almost like whining (which I abhor). He is a smart man, and knows what he believes, and believes what he knows....something lacking in most contenders. I believe a large part of his message is on track....unfortunately he cannot sell it and the part that is not on track is soooooo far off that it scares the voters. This man can't win...and would be better served seeking an advisory role in the background.

And then there is John Huntsman.  The liberals so want this guy to be the Republican candidate that they orgasm just at the thought of it. Of all the candidates, this is the only one that is dumber than their man, and would lose an election to a box of rocks. That is why they say he is their biggest threat. This is the liberals trying to pick the Republican nominee they know they can beat. Enough said.

If I have left anyone out...I guess that tells you what impact they have on me.

For me, I do not see any candidates in this field that are the perfect choice. I see some ok choices, I see some potential for future elections, but there is nobody here that makes me stand up and cheer. The closest to that is Bachman...but I have reservations about her too.

So, when the world slows down and these contenders take their places, each trying to build some momentum in front of the straw poll on Saturday (that most people seem to think is the most important event in history)...we would be well served to remember that there are two 800lb gorilla's missing from this line-up. Palin and Perry have yet to committ, and if either decided to go fo it, it would shake up this group no end.

I suspect that Palin will not run...not because she would not win, but because she enjoys the role of king or queen maker. She knows how to attack the left, she knows that her supporters will support her choices. SHe can promote a candidate while becoming the foil that protects him or her. She could just be the perfect kingmaker, and I think she relishes that role.

Perry, on the other hand, will most likely throw his hat in the ring. If he does, he could easily become a front-runner almost overnight. He has already shown a proclivity for being outspoken, and is not afraid to let his beliefs be seen. He has the right message for the right time. His Marlboro Man looks and Texan background could create a bit of Bush inspired backlash, but he can handle that easily. The fact that he has not yet announced indicates to me that he is choosing a time for maximum benefit. He could certainly 9add interest to an otherwise largely boring group.

I really want to see some excitement tonight. I want to see someone, anyone, stand up and say...

"It's time!"

It's time for lower spending.

It's time for lower debt!

It's time to start growing this economy.

It's time to face the truth and take the tough decisions.

It's time to have real leadership in the WH.

It's time to put away childish dreams and fantasies, and to work with the reality we have.

It's time for a change...not the hope and change we bought into 4 years ago, but the change we need to restore freedom and stop tyranny!

It's time for socialists, marxists, communists, leftists, statists and all the other "ists" to get their butts kicked and be sent packing to slime they arose from from.

It's time for conservatives to take the lead!"

I am hoping for too much here, I know. What I expect to see are nice words, refusal to speak clearly, and little of substance.

I hope I am surprised.


.....devereaux

Wanna win? Forget the debates!

Did anyone watch the debate last night?

I did not. I avoided it like I would the plague. Why? Because I wanted to see what normal "non political- junkie" type people would hear from the press the morning after. I wanted to see what the average Joe would see, and not have that tarnished by my own recollections.

Here's what I know so far:-

1. Huffington Post tells me that the republican candidates have lots of kids, that Ron Paul delivered over 4,000 of them before becoming a politician, and that Romney is definitely a spicy kinda guy.

OK...all good stuff to base an election on!

2. Fox news tells me that Pawlenty failed to deliver a killer blow to Romney when given the opportunity to attack Obamaney care.

3. MSNBC tells me that Cain runs from his black roots and hates Muslims, while Romney clearly won the debate.

What a lot of dribble. The only thing substantial to come out of the reports was that Michelle Bachman appears to have solidified as a serious contender, and should not be underestimated. Several reports covered that angle.

Here is my problem.

The reporting of the debate is nothing but a big yawn to me. The candidates did not create a moment that the press could not ignore. AND I suspect that the debates will have NO influence on the election results.

So I am addressing the rest of this post to the Republican candidates!

You Republican candidates need to understand this. At every opportunity you MUST take a risk and say or do something that the press cannot ignore. Now, you need to take care and not do or say something stupid that will set your campaign back weeks or months a la Newt Gingrich, but you must create a moment. Just one...just one EVERY time you are in a public meeting.

If you want to win the next election here are my thoughts on what you must do:-

1. have a simple plan and slogan that everyone can understand....Obama had his with Hope and Change....your's does not need to mean anything but DOES need to tug at the emotions...
How about something like..."It's time"?? Let the electorate determine for themselves, the individual voter, what exactly it is time for...they could read that as "It's time to stop illegal immigration" or "It's time to lower taxes" or "It's time to cut spending"....whatever THEIR issue is can be wrapped up in those two little words...It's time!

(Makes a great and easy sign to hand out too!)

2. OK...so you have a simple message that means exactly what the voter needs it to mean. What next? You have to deliver on plans that support the notion. You have to have objectives....you have to sell the people the belief that not only is it time...but YOU are the person to make it happen.

To be effective you have to be strong on several simple issues:-
a). be strong on illegal immigration, strong borders, no amnesty, and rapid deportation of existing illegals. Be strong on supporting state rights on illegal immigration. Be strong on borders. Do not budge from your position. When people call you racist (and they will) stand proudly and say you are American. Do not give one inch on your position. Let everyone know exactly where you stand. Do not get caught up in explaining why you are not racist, do not play into their agenda...play ONLY on your own.

b) be strong on small government/ cutting waste/ lower taxes. Do not allow the opposition to smear you with talk of unemployment rates, poor people eating dog food and reduction in handouts. Keep it simple...a possible simple step that EVERYONE will understand is to immediately slice 15% off the spending of every department in government. We all understand that. Do not talk budgets, do not talk about future reductions. Keep it simple. A sharp knife to cut 15% of spending TODAY. If businesses can do it, Government can do it. At the same time, reduce taxes, with a promise to revise the tax system to a fair tax or a flat rate tax in your first term.

c) you will not win without some suitable plan to deal with the likes of Social Security and Medicare, some plan to reduce entitlement spending in the future. This plan will be unpopular but has to be packaged in a way that the loss of entitlements can be seen as a benefit. The easiest way to do this is to tie it in with massive reductions in the nations debt. Every time you speak of changing the entitlements  you must relate it to the reduction in debt and the near term future for everybody. Take time to show how it will assist the children and grandchildren by reducing their debt burdens.Talk about the future and it's successes, and how the changes in the entitlements programs will be the direct cause of that NEAR future success.

d) the economy. It will all be about the economy at election time. You MUST have a simple plan to develop the environment where jobs will be created. You MUST not suggest that you will create jobs. You must NOT suggest that the Government will create jobs. You MUST state clearly that the Government will get out of the way and allow free market forces to enable the flow of capital to the most efficient and competitive industries, creating job growth and economic growth. You must state clearly that the Government will NOT be deciding which company's get funds, but the free market will determine that.

e) Finally you must wrap all this up in a platform that makes sense to the non-political person. They must see your sign saying "It's time" and know in their hearts that it is, and that you have the knowledge, skills and strength to make it happen.

Above all, you must be believable. You must be strong and positive. You need to call on their help, to make them feel like they are part of the team that will do it. You need to draw on their emotional attachments while also bringing them into your action plan. They need to know that by voting for you they are also saying that they will get into the trenches WITH you...and be a part of the change that is needed.

Just as Obama did in 2008, you need to empower the voters. You need to infuse them with a sense that they and you create an unbeatable and unstoppable force that can and will achieve all that you promise. You CAN achieve it because your voters are doing it too.

3. You need to ignite the imagination. Obama did that with his hope and change thing. He did that with his clever use of race. He did that with his ability to change "how" he spoke depending on his audience. He became one with the people he wanted to vote for him.

While I think he is a dope, and has really screwed up this country, I cannot refute the fact that he can campaign. He knows his message, his knows his voters. He promises them what they think they want. If you wish to be a truly competitive candidate you have to do this better than he does. You need to be able to change your delivery style while maintaining the strong message. You need to be able to be seen as "at one with the people" even though one day the audience may be scholars and the next day simpler folk. Your words must be changed, your language changed, your appearance changed. Your message NEVER changes. Just your delivery.

You need to become a chameleon...with one message for all people.

And you need to create moments. You need to be real, you need to put people above presentation. You need to speak from the heart, while never deviating from your message.

You need a simple message. If it cannot be stated clearly in 50 words or less, it will be too complex.

Do you want to win the election against Obama? You have just read the secret recipe!

But what do I know? My suggestions are free. I do not have a pedigree of political achievements behind me. I just know what appeals to me, and I suspect many millions of folk in this country who are sick of mealy mouthed politicians who lie at every opportunity and spin every statement. No more.

Someone who stands up and says...this is me, this is who you get and this is what we will do together...will have a huge advantage over the current actors in this Shakesperean tragedy.

By the way...if anybody wants to use that slogan, "It's time"...by all means do. Just make sure that you do everything else right as well!

............devereaux