Stake Out These Issues!
It's a fun time to be in politics. Lot's of good people I know are jumping into some exciting races and opportunities. And it's never too soon to start thinking about the 2008 Presidential Elections, either. ... Not that any of my friends are running for that (yet). But I do have some thoughts on how a conservative Republican could pull a Howard Dean (the 2003 version, that is) and come out of nowhere to be the front runner.
Keep in mind that a few years ago Howard Dean was an obscure Governor of Vermont. He had no business being mentioned in the same breath as Kerry, Gephardt, and Lieberman. Yet, he became a Presidential front runner because he was willing to say some things that nobody else was willing to say. Because he was the only one willing to say it, the base rallied behind him.
If I were advising an "outsider" conservative who was takign a long shot at a run for President, I would tell them to corner the market on these 2 issues:
1. Eminent Domain - There is a strong undercurrent of Americans who are outraged by the recent court decision which basically says the U.S. Govt. can seize your property if it's perceived to be in the best interest of the community.
Unlike other hot-button issues that I care deeply about -- this issue will inspire many disaffected, libertarian-leaning supporters. It strikes to the heart of the American Dream. This is the stuff of rebellion. If a conservative were to stake out this territory, and not waiver, it would position him well.
2. Immigration - I do a lot of work in California and Texas, so maybe I'm more sensitive to this issue than others. But I really feel this issue is coming to a head. And it's not just from political people (I run into average people on airplanes who are outraged by the fact that we can't control the border). A candidate from the Right who is willing to take a hard stance on this issue (and not worry about offending some) will have a big advantage in the Primaries. There has never been a legitimate Presidential Candidate who has made this "The Issue" (I'm not counting Pat Buchanan).
The voters who care about this issue are very cynical about Republicans who sort of agree with them. But if there was a serious candidate (this means someone who has been elected to something at some time who made this a cornerstone of their platform), they would have the immediate backing of a very fired up group of supporters. That would go a long way toward winning a Primary.
Keep in mind that a few years ago Howard Dean was an obscure Governor of Vermont. He had no business being mentioned in the same breath as Kerry, Gephardt, and Lieberman. Yet, he became a Presidential front runner because he was willing to say some things that nobody else was willing to say. Because he was the only one willing to say it, the base rallied behind him.
If I were advising an "outsider" conservative who was takign a long shot at a run for President, I would tell them to corner the market on these 2 issues:
1. Eminent Domain - There is a strong undercurrent of Americans who are outraged by the recent court decision which basically says the U.S. Govt. can seize your property if it's perceived to be in the best interest of the community.
Unlike other hot-button issues that I care deeply about -- this issue will inspire many disaffected, libertarian-leaning supporters. It strikes to the heart of the American Dream. This is the stuff of rebellion. If a conservative were to stake out this territory, and not waiver, it would position him well.
2. Immigration - I do a lot of work in California and Texas, so maybe I'm more sensitive to this issue than others. But I really feel this issue is coming to a head. And it's not just from political people (I run into average people on airplanes who are outraged by the fact that we can't control the border). A candidate from the Right who is willing to take a hard stance on this issue (and not worry about offending some) will have a big advantage in the Primaries. There has never been a legitimate Presidential Candidate who has made this "The Issue" (I'm not counting Pat Buchanan).
The voters who care about this issue are very cynical about Republicans who sort of agree with them. But if there was a serious candidate (this means someone who has been elected to something at some time who made this a cornerstone of their platform), they would have the immediate backing of a very fired up group of supporters. That would go a long way toward winning a Primary.
posted by Matt Lewis at 7:16 AM
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