David Horowitz: The Art of Political War

There was a very good article written by David Horowitz on Front Page that I found on the tea Party Patriot site. In this article Horowitz details "The Art of Political War for the Tea Parties."

Though we do not support or endorse candidates, there are many interesting items in the article that can be applied to our groups and what will be the drag on all the new groups. I took a couple paragraphs out of the article that can be applied to the groups the same as Horowitz has applied them to the Republican problems. But, many of what Horowitz points out is spot on about why the Republicans, especially here in Ohio, fail to win elections and support from outside the party.

The first paragraphs that should be singled out is the single biggest problem faced growing the groups -- conservatives want to much structure and bureaucracy within the groups. This is deadly for the movement and exactly what we are fighting against in our government. An overly structured group and especially formal alliances is like dead weight. It is far too restrictive. Loose-knitted working relationships between the groups is what is needed for this to succeed....

Republicans play right into the Democrats’ trap because they approach politics as a problem of management. To Republicans, every issue is a management issue—the utility of a tax cut, the efficiency of a program, the optimal method for running an enterprise. Republicans talk like businessmen who want a chance to manage the country so that it will turn a profit.

There is nothing wrong with instituting good policies and running things efficiently or turning a profit. But while Republicans are performing these Gold Star activities, Democrats are engaged in a different kind of drama. They are busy attacking Republicans as servants of the rich, oppressors of the weak and defenders of the strong. And enemies of “the people.”

Interpretation --- as some want to install more structure, positions, alliances, councils, etc and talk about what to do or how to do it -- the democrats are out casting the Tea Party's and 9.12 groups as tools for the Republican party and extremists.

We need to concentrate on doing rather than structuring. The key really is to keep it simple -- and this is the hard thing for the well-intentioned & structured-minded conservatives to do. We need the freedom and flexibility to address the issues as they surface. Too much structure takes away from this flexibility and creates tunnel vision within the groups, alliances, councils, etc...

The above leads to the next paragraph being cited -- too much preaching to the choir and worrying about too many things.... (emphasis added)

Of course, you have a base of supporters who will listen for hours to what you have to say if that’s what you want. In the battles facing you, they will play an important role. Therefore, what you say to them is also important. But it is not going to decide elections. The audiences that will determine your fate are audiences that you will first have to persuade.

Therefore it is absolutely essential to focus your message and repeat it over and over again. Lack of focus will derail your message. If you make too many points, your message will be diffused and nothing will get through. The result will be the same as if you had made no point at all.

Discussing topics, new developments, opinions, etc... within our groups is essential and very, very important. Good debate is crucial -- but continually talking about the same issues or wasting time on the daily "Reid or Pelosi just said...." amongst ourselves gains no ground and is counterproductive. Politicians love when you lose focus and we turn our efforts to their latest press release or statement. Why? It takes time away from where we need to be focused.

We already know where we stand -- it is vital to get our message out for the Independents and the voters still watching American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.

We must keep our messages short, sweet and to the point. The average person does not care if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid just made another statement about health care. Many people get turned off by this stuff and only want to know how it will affect them -- but only if it takes a couple minutes and is easy to understand and digest.

Think about it -- how politically active were you before the Tea Party's and 9.12 groups came around? Did you want to hear every detail about a bill or the daily political events? Most likely the answer is no. We need to remember that as we talk to others that are not yet involved.

To read the whole article click here.