How often have you seen an advocate for progressive causes in a discussion or debate and thought to yourself "Please, just let tag me in, I would eat these guys lunch". You have a much better point to make, or have a construction that illustrates the point much more clearly and concisely.
I would be interested in compiling a searchable database, a Unified Messaging System(UMS), if you will, to address common themes that arise in the campaign and exploring avenues of thought that highlight our agenda by cataloging opinions, observations and assessments. A UMS would not to be intended to generate talking points but rather become as a broader framework for advancing our narrative.
A UMS would serve as a resource for individuals in the public eye or organizations that are not affiliated with the campaign but support progressive issues.
Over the jump:
Case in point:
I was just watching Micheal Moore on Larry King and he was asked (paraphrase) "based on all the factors in the Democrats favor this year, why are the polls so close". Mr. Moore replied with a nondescript answer about polling inaccuracies and the polls not being right vis-a-vis John McCain (& The Bush Republicans - you'll get this later) last year in any case.
My thought:
The reason that the polls are so close is that John McCain and the Bush Republicans have become very adept over the last eight years of obfuscating and disseminating misleading information to manipulate opinions, and while they speak of bipartisanship they continue pit Americans against one another very well to win elections, however, it does not serve them well when they try to govern. We can all agree that the Karl Rove electioneering has been hugely successful while the George Bush & The Bush Republicans governance has been an utter disaster.
There it is!
IMHO this pretty much touches all the points of this election and reinforces the agreed upon conclusion. A few points that, although probably obvious, I would like to highlight.
- John McCain and the Bush Republicans, any time I mention him it would always be John McCain & The Bush Republicans like they were a sixties band.
- John McCain & The Bush Republicans disseminating misleading information, and where have we heard that charge before. Could it be?
- We can all agree that the Karl Rove electioneering has been hugely successful while the George Bush governance has been an utter disaster. Pretty much says it all.
John McCain and the Republicans bear full responsibility for effectively steamrolling George Bushes agenda through Congress resulting in an Economy in tatters and a Foreign Policy quagmire.
"But the Democrats control Congress".
By the time Democrats took control of Congress in 2007 "The damage had already been done". While John McCain & The George Bush Republicans effectively stonewall any inquiries, and ignore both Legislative & Judicial directives, the best that can be accomplished is a "Holding Action" to await a change in the Executive to begin mitigating the disaster of the last eight years.
"But Maverick™ John McCain goes against his Party"?
- Senator John McCain opposed George Bush’s Tax cuts as "irresponsible"; Candidate John McCain now supports them.
- Senator John McCain joined with the Gang of 14 to block changing Senate rules gutting the Filibuster of Judicial nominees; Candidate John McCain now vows to appoint Justices along the lines of Scalia and Roberts.
- Senator John McCain supported comprehensive immigration reform; Candidate John McCain now says he would not vote for his own Legislation.
There are so many other instances I can think of that also cry out for a more pointed retort, but this just finally convinced me this evening that this needed to be done. There are many in this community and beyond with talents and insights so much greater than mine, that could serve invaluable to our objectives if made more widely available in a useful format. We are under utilizing valuable outreach opportunities by appearing without a clear and concise message, unlike the Republicans who repeat the same talking points ad nauseum to anyone who will listen.
While the campaign has communications strategist and media consultants by the droves to shape their message, the arms length advocates are not part of a messaging machine. (again, unlike the Republicans who get daily talking points and recite them (truth or sans truth) dutifully like the little lemmings that they are).
I would like to create a resource that allows the community, and the movement as a whole, to explore the implications of issues and themes that could be made available to shape and advance our message.
This campaign is about communication, if we get the voters to accept the facts out and understand the issues, We win this election. It's that simple.
Thanks for your attention.
Comments, Suggestions, Ideas.