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Spanish Phrases Your Candidate Must Master ...
If you're not on my weekly campaign tips list -- you should be (sign up to the left). I don't usually post the email tips on the blog, but I thought this one might inspire you to sign up: Spanish Phrases Your Candidate Must Master ...(Note: This is the first of our 3-part series on Spanish phrases to be guest written by Bill Meierling of The Leadership Institute)Hispanics represent one of the most important coalitions in politics, because of their growing size, their traditional family values, and their belief in small government. Simply put: Conservatives cannot afford to ignore this group of voters. While I firmly believe immigrants must learn to speak English fluently - I know first hand that learning a few simple Spanish phrases can demonstrate your candidate's interest in winning the support of Hispanic voters. Our first lesson involves your introduction to a Spanish-speaking voter. Here's what you might say: "Hola, mi nombre es___________. Estoy lanzando mi candidatura para ____________, y necesito su apoyo."
(Hello, my name is _________. I am running for ___________, and I would like your support.) In the candidacy portion the following offices may be useful: Assembly: Asamblea
Councilman: Consejale
Delegate: Delegado
Mayor: Alcalde
Governor: Gobernador
Lt. Governor: Vicegobernador
Attorney General: Procurador de la justicia
Congressman: Congresista or Diputado de la asamblea nacional
Senator: Senador
One note: Be careful how, when, and where you use your Spanish phrases. During the 2005 Virginia Gubernatorial race, Jerry Kilgore published a piece of direct mail titled, the "Spanish Language Version." This piece had 11 words in Spanish on an entire 8.5"x11" mailer. The 11 words of Spanish were not inclusive, nor were they grammatically correct. As you might imagine, this did not ingratiate him within the Hispanic community, instead; it only served to alienate his potential Hispanic constituency. Remember, first impressions are important. Mastering an introduction can go a long way toward earning a vote. Feliz Navidad!
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Shorts to Parka's
Last week I was in Miami ... Tomorrow, I will be in Fargo, ND ... to support a fair up or down vote in the U.S. Senate for Judge Samuel Alito. It's also a good chance to meet up with some good, old friends. We have a simple, but functional, website about it. Check it out.
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Specter Sides with Owens ...
Can you believe it? Arlen Specter is siding with Terrell Owens over the NFL and the Eagles. For once, a team does the right thing, and this is how they are repaid... It's bad enough he's involved in this - but does he always have to be on the wrong side of every issue???
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Image-Shaping or Marketing?
 Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich formed the Illinois Office of Communcation and Information to have a centralized office for image-shaping. His administration said it would save almost $2 million in combining the public information officers who worked at different state agencies. It will send letters to constituent groups, create public opportunities for agency directors, and grade media coverage of events. Read more from the Chicago Tribune. With a federal investigation into his hiring practices and a re-election just around the corner, the governor has found a way to make the state government turn out as much positive publicity as possible.
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Cindy Sheehan Clearly Doesn't Read My Tips ...
 ... I send out a weekly email of campaign tips (you can sign up to the left of your screen). Last week's tip was called, "How to Make a Room Look Full." Based on this picture, it looks like Cindy Shaheen didn't get my memo ...
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Cunningham Pleads Guilty
Breaking News: Republican San Diego Congressman Duke Cunningham just gave a tearful admission of guilt. ...Looks like a special election is on the way.
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This Weekend: I'm Speaking at LI
 I'm speaking at The Leadership Institute's Grassroots Activist School in Arlington, VA, this weekend. If you - or any of your conservative friends - want to learn how to be more effective in the public policy process, then please click here. This is your opportunity to get the same training as many of today's most recognized and respected conservative leaders. Attend this powerful 2-day school and you'll be empowered to: Help conservative candidates of your choice win campaigns at all levels. Meet and network with expert faculty and other like-minded people who can help you make a difference in your community. Gain political know-how to help build your personal leadership skills, abilities and confidence. You'll get to hear some of today's top political experts, plus the musings of yours truly. To attend, visit http://www.grassrootstraining.org/ or call 800-827-LEAD. Please forward this to your conservative friends!
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Deja vu
Ouch. Another close game, and another Redskins loss. I don't know what to say ...
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Resemblance?
  Tom DeLay and Mark Brunell: Is it just me, or is there a slight physical resemblance???
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What Makes a Leader?
 I'm fascinated by leadership and great leaders. That's why Jonathan Yardley's review of Private Lives/Public Consequences, in today's Washington Post, has got me curous. According to Yardley, the author makes some important (though not necessarily, original) points about what creates leaders: "...One is that "overcoming adversity, having to fight daunting circumstances, often provided a critical incentive toward developing traits that later made it possible to overcome insuperable obstacles to success." More succinctly, ambition often is fueled by resentment, rejection or envy: "I'll show them." Another is that sometimes people's lives are shaped by "moments of crisis that shaped their future decisionmaking": polio for FDR, wartime for JFK, his brother's assassination for RFK. Yet another is that "for some, future decisionmaking was shaped less by particular crises than by gradually developed patterns of behavior designed to suppress fear or failure," patterns especially notable in the lives of Nixon and Clinton."
If you've read this book, I'd love to hear from you. Email me at MLewis@campaignleadership.com.
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Leftovers: Jessica Simpson
 Aside from "Black Friday," the big news this week has been the announced divorce of Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Now, the truth is, nobody really knows who's at fault, here. Nobody really knows what went on. But I have a sneaky suspicion that Simpson is making a big mistake. As you'll recall, Simpson wasn't exactly tearing up the pop charts ... she couldn't compete with Britney and Christina ... until her MTV reality show, The Newlyweds, came around, that is. That's when most of us were first introduced to the ditzy, but lovable, Simpson and her doting new husband, Nick (formerly of the "boy band" 98 degrees). America swooned for the beautiful Jessica, even as confused the fact that tuna is the "chicken of the sea," and learned that buffalo wings weren't literally the wings of a buffalo ... We watched the "behind the music" episodes and learned how Jessica was a wholesome girl who actually started off singing Christian music songs such as, True Love Waits. At this point, she had become, "America's Sweetheart" -- without ever having a real big hit. As I watched The Newlyweds (hey, it's on TV, okay?), I became more and more convinced that Simpson was the lucky one in the relationship ... That Jessica was tolerable, not because she was a good conversationalist, but solely for her beauty and talent. I imagined a 70-year old Nick Lachey having to put up with a ditzy and annoying elderly woman who was no longer the beauty he married. Lachet seemed like the type of guy who would still remember her for what she was -- and would be good to her (so long as she didn't interfere with his ESPN programming.) ... Then, Jessica's sister, Ashley Simpson got her own MTV reality show. This gave us an even more behind-the-scenes look at Jessica and the Simpson Family (which is just a notch above the "O.J." Simpson Family-- and a notch under the Homer Simpson Family). We witnessed the weird behavior of her father/manager (I can't put my finger on why he's weird -- you just know it when you see it). We were reminded of all those 80s TV stars who went crazy because their parents pushed them into show business, and then embezzled their money. Then, 2005 rolled around. And Jessica started presenting a much more sexual image. (If you've seen the video from the Dukes of Hazard movie -- and I'm betting you have -- you know what I'm talking about. ) This conversion me wonder about the sincerity of her "Christian girl" image, in the first place. I mean, how do you go from singing "True Love Waits" to giving a lap dance to the General Lee? Is it a coincidence that Jessica's divorce from Nick Lachey coincides with her new and naughty image? I doubt it. It appears to me that it's really always been about making money and getting ahead. And the question really is: What furthers her career? The irony is, in the long run, it would be a wiser career move for Jessica to keep her clean image. After all, Britney and Christina have already cornered the market on sluttiness. I mean, if you're creating a brand, you want to be different than the competition, right? But I guess Jessica figures, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. It'll be hard for her to have a second or a third act, now. There's a whole cottage industry out there of conservatives (remember, she supported Dubya) who buy movie tickets, concert tickets, clothes, etc., -- and they aren't as fickle as the rest of the population. In ten years -- heck in two years -- there will be some hot new thing come along. Through her choices, Jessica has opted to become just another pretty face in the crowd. I hope she gets back on track.
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Miami Thanksgiving
I'm writing from South Beach, where the temp today was about 85 degrees. Tuna salad and iced tea (at an outside cafe) was my lunch. No potatoes or stuffing for me. Tonight's Thanksgiving feast will be Brazilian steak. How's that for being an iconoclast? The good thing about being in Miami is that everything is open today. The bad thing is that -- despite the weather -- they insist on playing Christmas carols??? Now, I don't even feel it's appropriate to play Christmas carols before Thanksgiving in DC. But doing so in Miami is entirely surreal. The city of Miami also insists on putting big fake Christmas trees outside. Rather than just throw some light bulbs on a palm tree (which would be quaint), they insist on building these really big fake-looking Christmas trees. All in all, it's pretty sweet for a Maryland boy to get to swim and eat his (Brazilian) turkey. Happy Thanksgiving.
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T.O. is TOast
... An arbitrator has just ruled that the Eagles were within their rights to suspend T.O.
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Email Ads Grow Up
Today's Wall Street Journal has an article about the increasing reliance of email ads by retailers. The best thing about email ads is that they can be targeted. For example: "When winter struck a large part of the country in November last year, J. Crew Group, inc. was able to quickly ship an email highlighting J. Crew's coat selections."Not only is email much cheaper than TV or catalogs, it's easier to customize. Here's how the Gap does it: "(The Gap) usually segments messages by nine different customer groups. Segments include gender and shopping behavior, such as what item a shopper boutht, in which season and at what price."Editor's Note: I have sworn off blogging about politics for the next couple of days (barring some emergency, that is). If this posting (regarding email and retailers) makes you think of micro-targeting politics, you just might be right. Remember, I said I wouldn't talk about politics during this little holiday. I never said I wouldn't talk about shopping. And ... if it just happens to remind you of politics ... that's your problem.
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Channeling Dr. Leo Marvin ...
In the movie, What About Bob?, Bill Murray's psychologist, Dr. Leo Marvin (played by Richard Dreyfuss) gives Bob permission to, "take a vacation from himself." I'm going to take that sage advice, and refrain from thinking about politics for the next couple of days ... ... No Murtha, Scanlon, or Tom Davis ... No comments on that mysterious " X" in front of Dick Cheney. ... Heck, no more T.O., either. Someone else tend the store. Lock up and pull the blinds when you leave. I'm going fishing (more precisely, I'm going Kayaking).
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More on Murtha ...
"He's a good man, a Marine, a patriot, and he's taking a clear stand in an entirely legitimate discussion."- VP Cheney on Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) this a.m., National Journal's Hotline - 11/21
(Nice to know at least one person in the White House is reading my postings, and taking my advice.) ... Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can start attacking Murtha's ridiculously dangerous notion, on it's own merits.
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More T.O. Talk
I've been getting some flack from my friends about the Eagles' performance without Terrell Owens (they lost again, yesterday). First of all, yesterday's game doesn't really count: They were playing the division-leading Giants -- and not only were they without Owens -- they were without McNabb. Secondly, I never said Owens wasn't a great player, and I never said they would immediately do better without him (though some people have said that). My argument is that Owens was a cancer on the team. And getting rid of him (though painful) would ultimately result in the long-term healing of the team. Third, the Eagles weren't off to a great start, even with Owens. So it's not like they were winning before Owens was ousted. The Eagles lost their chance at the playoffs because of Owens. For their sake, it's better to go through this painful transition now, than later.
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We Lost ... to Norv?
I can't believe the Redskins lost to the Raiders. That's right. Norv Turner's Raiders. Yes, that Norv Turner. ... Beat Joe Gibbs. That's kind of like being beaten in a presidential campaign by Shrum. It is a sad day.
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Political Jujitsu
The GOP move to force Democrats on record regarding imediate troop withdrawl was, well, brilliant. I wish I'd thougth of it. I do have one question, though: There has been a lot of Dems over the last two years who have said similar thing to what Murtha said (Howard Dean and Ted Kennedy, for example). Why the sudden and immediate reaction to the comments of a relatively obscure Pennsylvania Member of the House? Is this part of the new PR rapid response plan? Or did Mirtha hit a particular nerve? Either way, the GOP used a bit of political jujitsu, last night.
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I'm Quoted in Today's Washington Express ...
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Jesus and Johnny Cash
If you've heard Gary Allen's excellent new album, Tough all Over, you've also heard the song Nickajack Cave. The song tells the story of how Johnny Cash took a bunch of pills and then crawled up into a cave ... to die. Of course, this was actually the turning point in Cash's life. According to Nickajack Cave: "Then he crawled out from beneath that ledgeAnd felt a gentle breezeTears and dirt smeared on his faceAs peaceful as could beWell, he knelt down upon the groundRaised his eyes up to the light and prayedHe said, "Lord, I'll be your servant from this day."That's how he became "The Man In Black" in Nickajack Cave"
Chuck Colson has a good review of Walk the Line. The only thing he laments is that the film doesn't address Johnny's conversion to faith. Hey, maybe the movie movie producers and Gary Allen should have coordinated? According to Colson: "Unfortunately, this film ends before the full story of Cash's conversion to Christ and the good things he did thereafter could be told. That story would have been a great movie, but maybe that's too much to expect of Hollywood. Even so, as it is, in spite of portraying drug use and domestic violence, the film is appealing to nonbelievers, because it's the story of two seekers who, after a great deal of pain, start down the path to true healing. It does allude to God's plan, but stops there." Here's hoping for a Cash sequel that mentions his faith: Man in Black II -- The Man Comes Around!
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How to Criticize Murtha ...
I have two thoughts regarding the Rep. John Murtha's press conference yesterday, in which he called for an Iraq pullout. 1. It is not wise to so harshly criticize a man who has built up a lifetime worth of credibility as a patriot. John Murtha has had a distinguished career, including two Purple Hearts. It seems to me that attacking Rep. Murtha for being a "coward" is like attacking Carl Lewis for being slow. Not wise. Anyone who goes overboard in attacking Rep. Murtha will likely end up looking like those Al Gore supporters who threw mud on Bob Kerry. Memo to my friends: Future criticisms should be respectfully directed at Rep. Murtha's unfortunate positions - not his distinguished character. 2. On the other hand, I believe it is disingenuous to say only veterans can have an opinion about the war. We all have the right to respectfully disagree - even with a war hero. Last time I checked, the First Amendment wasn't reserved for only war heroes. Besides, we could also make the argument that only people young enough to serve should be allowed to talk about the war. That, too, would be ridiculous.
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More "Moderate" Talk
I couldn't help but notice this quote in today's Washington Post: "Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), chairman of the Government Reform Committee, said the desire of GOP conservatives to see a newly constituted Supreme Court eventually overturn Roe v. Wade could produce a political backlash, particularly in the suburbs. 'It would be a sea change in suburban voting patterns,' Davis said at a breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor."
So let me get this straight: Conservatives can't win because winning would cause a backlash??? Of course, this comment didn't come out of nowhere. What is left unstated is that Kilgore's recent loss (particularly in the suburbs) is being used by moderates to push for "moderation" in the GOP. I think I predicted this last week.
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Walking the line on Walk the Line
One of the things you probably don't know about me is that I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan. Yes, it's hard to believe, but this suave man-about-town actually grew up listening to old-school country like Cash, Waylon, Willie, Conway, and the like, but it's true. (Granted, it's become fashionable to be a Cash fan, but who else would admit to you that he likes Ronnie Milsap?) Okay back to Cash. You might think that a Cash fan of my magnitude would be ecstatic about his new movie. You would be only half right. It's precisely because of the reverence I have for country music that I have very mixed feeling about Walk the Line. If nothing else, the fact that they got Reese Witherspoon to play June Carter Cash is a terrific sign. And the fact that Cash was a part of the casting of the movie is a good sign, too. Still, I can't help but fearing Hollywood will find a way to mess it up. Until I see it with my own eyes (hopefully this weekend), I will "walk the line" between excitement and a feeling of impending doom, regarding the movie. I just hope they don't do to Johnny what they did to Andy Kaufman.
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Shrum Book
"Robert Shrum, the political consultant whose words and ideas have helped define the Democratic Party for 40 years, has signed a contract to write his first book."
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When You Promise to Fix It
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich potentially faces opposition from within his own party. Read the Chicago Tribune article here. When a candidate promises to fix a problem in government, like hiring corruption, the last thing he should do is come under federal investigation for that very same problem.
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Emanuel's Example
 Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Rahm Emaneul has given Republicans an excellent example of how to recruit candidates. From calling Heath Shuler every time he was with his family to prove that a Congressman can make time for them to assigning a buddy system between current Congressmen and prospective candidates, he has figured out a great recruiting system. Read more in the Chicago Tribune.
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Interview with James Strock
Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with James Strock, author of Reagan on Leadership and Theodore Roosevelt on Leadership. I thought you'd enjoy his insights on politics and leadership. Following is our conversation: Thank you for taking the time to visit with us. As you know, I'm a big fan of your work. I owe you a lot for mentoring me through books, before I even knew you.
STROCK: Thanks, Matt, it's a pleasure to be with you. I am so pleased you like the Reagan and Roosevelt books, and I am a big fan of your book, Teaching Elephants to Talk. You've written very good books about Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Why did you pick them - and what similarities did you see in these two leaders?
STROCK: Ronald Reagan is increasingly recognized to be one of the most consequential American presidents of the 20th Century. James MacGregor Burns, author of an outstanding biography of FDR and himself a traditional liberal, acknowledges that Reagan and Roosevelt are likely to be regarded as the greatest presidents of their century, focusing on accomplishments rather than ideology. It is easy to forget now, but Reagan was very unconventional. The notion of a non-politician-much less an actor!-becoming a successful governor of our nation's most populous and complex state, and then becoming a successful president-was difficult for many people to imagine much less accept. Similarly, many of Reagan's views were at variance with the conventional wisdom of many of his time-certainly at odds with elites in media, academe, Hollywood and many Washington observers. Ultimately and ironically, his very success has meant that many people take for granted what he stood for and accomplished-looking at it from our vantage point today, it seems much more "obvious" than it was seen at the time. Believing Reagan to be underestimated, I intended to examine and relate many of his approaches and techniques. I also believe that Reagan's unconventional aspects make him particularly instructional for people who find themselves somewhat out of sync with expectations. With such rapid demographic changes occurring in America, one hopes that his example is studied by many, many others to apply in their own lives. If Reagan got many of his ideas of how to lead from FDR-which he did, and of course he voted for FDR four times for president-FDR modeled himself in many ways on Theodore Roosevelt. In a sense, then, FDR is a bridge between TR and Reagan. TR established the modern presidency and many of our ideas of what leadership means. He was also, despite his wealth and privilege, in many ways a self-made person. He wrote extensively about his ideas on leadership, the one area in which he felt he had a gift approaching genius. It was my good fortune that no one had written a leadership study of TR previously. Relying to a great extent on TR's writings as well as those of his contemporaries, I felt that I was gathering a harvest in just the way Roosevelt intended. A historian himself, TR was ever focused on how he could serve future generations, and through his writings and actions he was often speaking to us. As with Reagan, so many of his ideas have taken hold that it is useful to look at the history, to consider how things looked in the eyes of he and his contemporaries, to fully appreciate the scope of his achievements. It seems to me that most leaders go through troubled times. Can you speak to the importance of enduring losses on your way to success?
STROCK: After Prime Minister Winston Churchill was defeated in the General Election of 1945, his wife Clementine, seeking to give him solace, suggested that it might be a blessing in disguise. Churchill responded, "If so, it must be very effectively disguised." All of us have had numerous setbacks and errors and failures-and I am quite sure I have had more than my share! Much of the impact of setbacks depends on one's own mind, how one chooses to understand the situation, how to learn from it, incorporate the lessons and move on. Setbacks, errors, disappointments are best used as lessons for the future. That said, I don't dwell morbidly (as TR might say) on the negative, and I certainly don't define my views of myself or others based on the worst moments; I strive to focus on the best. You've been successful in business, politics, and as a writer. So far, your books have examined the lives of other leaders. What personal leadership or success tips do you use personally, that you could share with us?
STROCK: My books include the best information I have to impart! I hope that my personal experiences serve to make the discussion of leadership more immediate and accessible than purely academic work. I am currently working on another leadership book that is based on questions I have had from people in my speaking. It is based on a small number of lessons that have made a great difference for me and others, and I hope it will be of immediate and ongoing use to readers. When you were in DC, we got to talking about the importance of ethics and morals in politics. In lieu of the recent political environment, I'm wondering if you can share your thoughts on these areas with us?
STROCK: So many people forget history! It is particularly disappointing to see some of our conservative and Republican friends succumbing to the seductions of power politics. The fact is, that ethics and morals in politics are not an option or somehow a reflection of not being hardheaded. Retaining ethics and morals is eminently practical, as Theodore Roosevelt reminds us. In politics, as in business, it takes little skill to drive up the score or profits, cutting corners for a short period. It takes much more skill to maintain superior performance into the future, and ethics is a necessary foundation. More basically, cutting corners in ethics and morals reflects, at a basic level, thinking of oneself rather than others. Even methodical calculation of one's prospects, seeking advantage while not breaking rules per se, is unlikely to work over time. One of my credos is: No one knows enough to usefully calculate one's interest-but each of us knows enough to do our duty. As a youngster, you were very active in College Republicans. A lot of today's leaders started off as CRs. How big of an influence do you think this was in your life?
STROCK: I entered college the month after Richard Nixon resigned. It was not an easy time to be a young Republican! Those of us who attended schools where liberalism was conventional in and out of the classroom had an additional set of challenges. Yet it strikes me in retrospect that there were many good aspects to being in that situation; it toughened us up a bit and certainly gave us opportunities to have our ideas challenged. I think that was an advantage in later life. Grover Norquist of American for Tax Reform, and Hugh Hewitt, the fine author, radio host, lawyer and blogging pioneer, were active in the CRs at that time. So too, famously, was Karl Rove. That said, the most important part of CRs, or for that matter any other organization with which I have been affiliated, has been the people one gets to know, learn from, become inspired by. Which of our contemporaries do you most admire in terms of leadership?
STROCK: Despite the high profile disappointments-corporate scandals, White House and other political scandals, the crisis in the American Catholic church and so on-today is a golden age of leadership! I admire so many people for their leadership roles. Nelson Mandela of South Africa is at the top of everyone's list for contemporary political leadership. Met Whitman of Ebay...Bill Gates (for all is faults and controversies, he has enabled millions of people to better reach their potential)... Bono (turning a platform in show business toward value added work for others-unconventional in its beginnings just as Ronald Reagan was forty years ago)... I have purposely left out current political leaders because it is too early to evaluate them clearly, though I will say that I don't feel that we are meeting the high standards of some other times in our history. As Roosevelt would say, one cannot blame that entirely on the officials, because they are a reflection of all of us. I am optimistic about the future because of the strength of the American character in general. The people whom I admire most are those I come across on a daily basis, who live their lives with courage and commitment to their families, communities and country. I have a photograph in my office, cut out from a magazine, of Staff Sgt. Hilbert Caesar, born in Guyana, who earned American citizenship fighting in Iraq, where he was severely wounded. Sgt. Caesar is a hero, already having a much greater positive impact on more people than he could know. Who mentors you? What I mean is: Who motivates the motivator?
STROCK: I have been blessed to have a number of wonderful mentors, including Pete Wilson and Bob White, Bill Reilly, Alan Simpson, Bill Ruckelshaus, Connie Horner, Doug Bailey and John Deardourff, Ken Khachigian and others. One can also obtain the lessons of so many others through learning, not only books, but from listening and observing in a focused way. What advice would you recommend to young conservatives who want to be leaders? Any tips or book recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
STROCK: In addition to studying and being trained in leadership, I would strongly recommend reading history. It provides perspective, gives reason for hope, and enables one to learn from the lives of so many outside of our own experience. It can lead us to hold higher standards for ourselves and others. What are you working on now?STROCK: I am currently writing a new leadership book that I am not quite ready to talk about! But when it is ready, I hope, Matt, that you will be among the first read it in draft and provide me feedback. I hope it is a book that will be of practical value to my fellow conservatives, especially young ones coming up! Thank you very much for allowing me to interview you. You're most welcome!
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See, I'm Bi-Partisan
For all of you who have labeled me a Right-Wing extremist, this one is for you. I'm quoted in the Forum of Fargo today. It should show you that from time to time, I'm willing to reach across the aisle and give credit to a Dem - especially when credit is due.
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Broder Takes the Bait
Last week I predicted (The Empire is Striking Back) that Democrats and the pundits would use Kiane's victory to make the argument that the GOP must move to the "center." David Broder's Washington Post column, The Political Center Makes a Comeback, answers the call. In it, Broder gleefully predicts a paradigm change in the way elections are won. He, of course, is wrong. But it makes for a heck of a column.
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Veteran's Day
On this Veteran's Day, I am thinking of the men and women serving our country in Iraq. Also in my thoughts are my mom's four brothers -- all who served -- Stanley, John, Harry, and Perry. Thank you for your service to our country!
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Batten down the hatches
I'm hearing grumblings that liberal groups are about to begin a new effort to attack Judge Alito. They are apparently angered by recent reports that Democrats are saying Alito is likely to be confirmed. Most likely the Alliance for Justice will be heading up the smear attacks on Judge Alito. Batten down the hatches.
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The Empire is Striking Back
The Empire is Striking Back. Just one year after "values voters" were credited with winning the 2004 election - and Karl Rove was lauded for his "brilliant" strategy of focusing on turning out Bush's Christian conservative base - the chattering classes are saying the way to win is to eschew campaigning on values. Opportunists are using Tuesday's disappointing elections to advance a "moderate" ideology within the Republican Party. The Washington Post today quotes Rep. Tom Davis (VA) as saying: "You basically had a cultural race - death penalty, immigration - and cultural races don't play well in suburban areas ..." These are the new talking points for the "moderates." Get ready for it. These lines will be repeated over and over by people parroting Davis' sentiments. Anyone hoping to appear an intelligent conversationalist will repeat these wise-sounding words as if they were Gospel. They will puff out there chests on the cable shows and say, "Look, Chris, the bottom line is that you can't win in the suburbs now days by being a cultural conservative." And it sounds so smart that a lot of people will believe them! Since 1980, it has been generally accepted (within the Republican Party) that the way to win is to be conservative. Ever since the Reagan Revolution ousted the old-guard Republican "Empire," it has been so. The unfortunate byproduct of our success has been that the revolution has been infiltrated by Republicans who do not share our revolutionary goals; they do not believe in the tenets of Reagan's Revolution. But they realize that the way to get ahead is to be a, "conservative." These sunshine revolutionists never truly believed in the cause. They have been waiting for twenty-five years for the chance to prove us wrong. (Perhaps reading Russell Kirk should be a prerequisite to joining our little club, but Reagan conservatism is inherently and correctly anti-elitist. We have wisely avoided any sort of litmus test.) Twenty-five years after Reagan's election, the left-wing of the Republican Party is launching a counter-attack on the revolution. In short, the Empire is Striking Back. Liberal Republicans see this as their opportunity to seize back control of the party. They will point to Bush's approval ratings, and the off-year elections, as proof that the "modern world" has rejected cultural conservative arguments. Of course, there were many, many factors that have already been repeated ad nauseum as to why Democrats won in New Jersey and Virginia, yesterday. I hardly believe that you could argue Forrester's loss in New Jersey was due to his cultural conservative stands, which are non-existent. Thus, the people making this argument are basing it solely on the Virginia race. It is an outlandish argument. But they are making it just the same. In fairness, our conservative successes have given us a lot of "hanger's-on." Too many so-called conservative candidates are knaves who have exploited our deeply-held beliefs as a career opportunity for them. They aren’t true believers, but rather, opportunists. I do not believe in a paint-by-numbers strategy of campaigning where some political hack can merely spout off conservative rhetoric and demagogue their way to victory. Anyone who believes they can get elected by merely reciting conservative rhetoric is wrong. Voters need to know how our policies will benefit them. I would argue that our culturally conservative values do benefit every American by providing a strong national defense, a healthy community where moms and dads aren’t afraid to walk home at night - and don't have to worry when they put their children on the school bus in the morning. Conservative values do resonate with suburbanites. Don’t buy the argument that traffic is the only thing you can talk about in these modern times (though it is certainly a big issue). Yesterday's elections are being used by moderate Republicans and Democrats to buttress an argument that America has finally wised up. Liberals will imply Americans no longer care about cultural values. Are we to believe that in the course of one year, we have all moved to the "burbs" and are now all sipping latte's, watching Sex and the City reruns and wearing Isaac Mizrahi designer skirts? If these are the new "modern times," then Russell Kirk should surely ask for his book title back.
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From Mayberry to Washington ...
 One of my all time favorite shows is the Andy Griffith Show. All these years later, it still stands the test of time and makes me laugh out loud. I rank Andy and Seinfeld in my own personal list of "great" shows. So it was terrific to see Andy honored yesterday at the White House. I do have a slightly unique take on the show, however. People tend to think of Mayberry as an idyllic place. There's even a country music song that says, "I miss Mayberry." But have you ever considered that nearly every episode is based on a lie? Think of it: Andy and Barney lied to Aunt Bea about her pickle recipe being good -- and an entire congregation lied to Barney about his singing being good in the church choir. Granted, the lies were little white lies, meant to protect their feelings. But it makes you think ...
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T.O.'s "Apology"
The Philadelphia Eagles have wisely rejected Terrell Owens " apology" for publicly criticizing his quarterback, Eagles' coach Andy Reid, and for getting into a scuffle in the Eagles' locker room. If you had the misfortune of seeing Owens' pres |
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