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Strategery

At this time, I wish to point out something that many people on the Republican side have yet to recognize and it needs to be said early and often lest we fall into a very serious mistake.

Pay attention folks - President Obama is off-limits. He is not the new 'Bill Clinton'. Unlike Bill Clinton or George Bush he isnt just the president, he's a symbol. Attacking Obama like he was the new Clinton will have the same effect as attacking Ronald Reagan, his supporters wont be swayed and you will look small as a result.

'President Obama' is a symbol of the country, he's like a walking flag. However, this can work out to our advantage and here's why - Here's a riddle: What has two heads, no brain and an approval rating of 9%?

Answer: The Democratic Congress.

Thats where you will find a target rich environment on which to launch your opposition. If you run on a ticket of change, you have to deliver and the change you bring had better be demonstrably better than what people expected. Chances are extremely likely that they have significantly overpromised and are likely to underdeliver on those promises before the next election. Republicans should exploit this to the highest degree.

Short version: Ignore Obama, concentrate on the Democratic Congress. Separate the two wherever and whenever possible.

Let me also bring the following list into the game:

Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Barbara Boxer of California
Ken Salazar of Colorado
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Harry Reid of Nevada
Chuck Schumer of New York
Byron Dorgan of North Dakota
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Patty Murray of Washington
Russ Feingold of Wisconsin

Is the Senate Majority leader ever vulnerable? Go ask Tom Daschle.
There are targets on this list that we need to get to work on right now.

UPDATE: Oh, forgot to mention that Bob Byrd has stepped aside from his chairman seat. He's 91. Oh, and he's from West Virginia. Let's see, how did West Virginia vote this time? Red State with an Open Senate Seat. Go For It...

UPDATE II: Betcha McCain doesnt run in 2010. I dont think he will resign, so theres a bit of work to be done there. And I betcha neither does Lieberman, so theres some work to to there too. And I'll bet Ah-nold runs in 2010 for Boxers Seat, and wins!

Posted @ November 07, 2008 09:18 AM | Current Affairs

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Comments

Lot's of valuable thoughts in that post.

We'll have to be on our toes and keeping the pressure on Republican legislators to fight effectively against the really unwise initiatives, especially those that would lead to long term damage. We have to reassure them that we still care deeply about these things and appreciate the legislator's continued efforts to block bad legislation. It also won't hurt if Republican legislators offer some good initiatives that we can be "for" rather than having to spend all our time being "against" bad legislation.

We citizens also must communicate our theories and preferences to our friends and acquaintances so the media can't just sell the Democrat agenda as "generally accepted by the public".

Posted by: Ken in Camarillo at November 7, 2008 10:16 PM

While I agree with you that he's a symbol, he can't be given a free ride. In the short term, attacking Congress would be a better strategy. Give Obama a short honeymoon. But in the longer run, Biden first -- he's a fantastic, target rich environment all by himself -- then the socialist Obama Messiah. We, as conservatives, have to point out the differences between ourselves and the opposition. We'll never reverse his socialistic policies if we don't fight. What made Reagan's reputation was that he succeeded. I don't think that will happen with Obama.

Posted by: Mr. Smith at November 8, 2008 10:37 AM

> And I'll bet Ah-nold runs in 2010 for Boxers Seat, and wins!

Yeah, but he is a RINO, so that's not the kind of improvement one might desire. It might be all you can get from Cali, I grant.

Posted by: Obloodyhell at November 11, 2008 08:43 PM