GOP PLAYBOOK – Obstruct, Malign, and Manipulate.
Special from M. E. “Skip” Belt (Pct. Chair, #2030)
GOP PLAYBOOK – Obstruct, Malign, and Manipulate.
The GOP strategy is pretty straight forward. It is viscerally negative to any Democratic idea or initiative. It starts and ends with a general conclusion and is void of any analysis. If any rationale is given (which is rare) it is usually another general conclusion which obstructs any debate. The strategy is premised on the GOP’s ability to manipulate public opinion rather than to educate or persuade through thoughtful debate. Talking points are calculated to evoke an emotional reaction and not to illuminate the issue. Poll questions are slanted to reveal the answer desired by the party taking the poll. Opponents are vilified and shouted down. Fund raisers are based on fear and distrust. So what is new? Hasn’t this been the norm forever? Perhaps so, but I can remember there was once a civility that was based on respect of persons of principle that has eroded away. The change was most pronounced during the leadership of Newt Gingrich and continued under Dick Army and Tom Delay. The norm changed from one of respect and cooperation to open hostility and disrespect, both personally and ideologically. The current leadership of the GOP has continued this trend that leads to extreme partisanship and gridlock and challenges our democratic system. The trend will continue for the GOP because their strategists and their media allies see this as a successful strategy that will increase their influence, power, and economics for themselves and their constituents.
How can the Democratic Party and independents counter this manipulation of public opinion, and do so for the good of the country as a whole and not just for the good of a narrow constituency? The solution is pretty simple, but how to get there is a challenge. The Solution is for good Democrats to win more elections and an informed electorate (as opposed to a manipulated electorate) to participate in the debate of public issues. How do we get there?
FIRST, as Democrats we must know who we are. We must publically reject the GOP strategy that the end justifies the means and that the electorate is dense and can and should be manipulated by messages that are deceptive, false and duplicitous. We should shine a light on the GOP propaganda and slogans and show the electorate how there is a calculated intent to manipulate and preclude any debate rather to educate and persuade. We should find our voice and challenge these assertions, slogans or code words both at the top and down to the obnoxious neighbor. We must be true to our values of honesty and respect and justice for all. Our approach to issues should be intelligent and pragmatic to achieve the greatest good. We should oppose all efforts to limit debate, twist the facts or engages in misinformation to deceive the public. Our response and our proposals must be robust, clear and courageous. We must build pride in our party affiliation and in the electorate who we trust to make the right decision. In a nutshell we must deserve to win.
SECOND, we must be realistic. We will not be able to persuade everyone to vote Democratic. There has always been a large group of people whose self interest trumps all and whose ideology and hardened core beliefs have been formed to justify their indifference and even hostility to others not in their community or class. These people are not likely to be changed by any reasoned debate. The only time they change is when they implode due to some epiphany or realization of their party’s or politician’s hypocrisies. Fortunately, these people are not the majority of our citizens. They only have power because of Democrats that are apathetic and do not vote. The change that we seek will come from this larger majority that want to be told the truth, and want to be listened to, and want to be given the opportunity to vote for good representatives and not have to choose between bad and worse.
THIRD, we must have good leadership that is hardworking, intelligent, and responsive and yes humble enough to seek the advice and support of others. Plans and objectives for the near and long term should be developed and put in place to achieve our objective. We need to be the party that debates issues and who seeks solutions to public problems. We also need to put this in a framework of fiscal responsibility. We also need to be recognized as a party that supports the best candidates.
FINALLY, we as a party must be willing to sacrifice for the good of the party and our people. Our efforts will be magnified if we backup our words and thoughts with our funds and contributions and actions. Everything must come together for anything good to happen. First we must deserve to win. We must be true to our ideals; we must be a champion and trustworthy to the public. We must have good candidates. We must have good leadership. And we must be willing to sacrifice our time and money for the benefit of our larger community and country.
I hope this article will encourage others to speak out and share their ideas and plans of how we can achieve the people’s agenda. The first step is communication, taking a stand, and then collectively acting on our beliefs.
Noel Pinnock says:
April 11, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Good ideas from Morris; however, these issues are glaringly apparent and have been for years or at least for the past decade since I been in FB County. What we really need are non-vacillating people who are willing to take the off-beaten path to success. The GOP continues to chromatically control our county because they understand our in-fighting and latent conflicts will continue to bifurcate the collective efforts of the general body. Case in point, democrats who publicly endorse republican candidates only continue to subterfuge and marginalize all attempts to turn our county blue.
I hope that our 3-point strategy will focus to that end in bringing unity to a defunct party that has operatives with hidden agendas and switch sides with the changing of the wind. True leadership begins within and accomplishments rest in the arms of those who are willing to be led and inspired.
If we want to stop the malignancy, maligning, and manipulation then let us start in our back and front yards first – Acres of Diamonds. We have diamonds that are not giving an opportunity to play in the game because there are just too many playbooks.
Noel Pinnock says:
April 11, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Good ideas from Morris; however, these issues are glaringly apparent and have been for years or at least for the past decade since I been in FB County. What we really need are non-vacillating people who are willing to take the off-beaten path to success. The GOP continues to chromatically control our county because they understand our in-fighting and latent conflicts will continue to bifurcate the collective efforts of the general body. Case in point, democrats who publicly endorse republican candidates only continue to subterfuge and marginalize all attempts to turn our county blue.
I hope that our 3-point strategy will focus to that end in bringing unity to a defunct party that has operatives with hidden agendas and switch sides with the changing of the wind. True leadership begins within and accomplishments rest in the arms of those who are willing to be led and inspired.
If we want to stop the malignancy, maligning, and manipulation then let us start in our back and front yards first – Acres of Diamonds. We have diamonds that are not giving an opportunity to play in the game because there are just too many playbooks.
Skip Belt says:
April 12, 2010 at 7:31 am
Noel keeps twisting his tongue in knots using big words and all, I will try to translate. He assumes I have an ulterior self serving motive or agenda as he calls it; otherwise why would I want to replace him?. He said essentially the same thing in his comment to my announcement that I was running against him for precinct chair of 2030. The other comment relates to Allan Owen’s sign for mayor and Nina Schaefer for DA sign in my yard. I will take credit for Alan’s sign. Alan has been a good mayor and deserves my support. City elections should remain a non-partisan. Judy put Nina’s sign in our yard but I do not object. She is a member of our church, and. there is no Democratic opponent. I hope she beats Healy. Finally there is a Bill White sign in my yard to confuse Noel even more. Noel has the intellegence to be an asset to the party if he will stop trying to dazzle us humble folks with his footwork. A little more listening, a little more helping, and little less grandstanding will help him and the party become more unified and worthy
Noel Pinnock says:
April 12, 2010 at 10:33 am
Morris…you must have been prodded because I made no inclination towards you are your family values or election choice. The issues on the table are that we need true unity and not disunity….true motives not ill motives. If you feel as though you are vacilitating, then that’s your prerogative.
I have spent countless hours to advancing the party forward and it is indicative by the thousands of folk that can say the same. The truth of the matter is that we have too many playbooks that are being used and that my neighbor is a guarantee for failure, dissension, malignancy, and obstruction, and manipulation as your blog title suggests the GOP is trying to play against we democrats. But it is not hard to hit a wounded target.
We have to get our own yard in order before we can even try to overcome the opponent. I once read a book on the rules of engagement and it said the following:
- If you know yourself and not your opponent, then you have a 50% chance of victory
- If you do NOT know yourself but you know your opponent, then you have a 50% chance of failure
- If you do NOT know yourself or your opponent, then you have guarantee failure.
- If you know yourself and your opponent then you have guarantee victory
I subscribe to the latter…
This is not about you, me, or Bill…it is about moving the party forward with a playbook that is palatable for all democrats in Fort Bend County and I aim to be a voice for that cause, because the fight continues…the hope still lives and the dream never DIES!
I aim not to dazzle one with words but to take action with a clear goal in mind. I am here to support the cause…just need a consistent playbook to play by because I am GAME!
Noel Pinnock says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 12, 2010 at 10:58 am
Additionally,
I believe people should vote for the individual(s) who best represents their needs. One of the only things that remain sacred (aside from spirituality, marriage, and family) in this nation) is that well won battle for suffrage equality for both people of color and women. I salute you for expressing your views vis-à-vis signage but I would suggest that we not stop at placing signs in our yard but put them also in hearts and minds of every democrat that is looking towards a unified democratic party…I believe that Stephen Brown will be a great catalyst to support our efforts moving forward as he also agreed with my previous post.
Together Everyone Accomplishes More…I know everyone subscribes to that!
Susan says:
April 12, 2010 at 11:07 am
Mr. Pinnock, it would be far easier to believe that your pleas for unity were sincere if your language wasn’t shockingly divisive.
Contrary to your opinion, we are far from wounded. We Democrats have a President to proud of, a primary election that infused new ideas and ideals into our local party, and people who are willing to work and learn. The truth is that we are recovering with pride, honor and dedication from the wounds of the past.
Noel Pinnock says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 12, 2010 at 11:52 am
Susan, et al
I do not make pleas…only observations regarding the blog’s title and intention. If this is a site for freedom of expression, then my expressed thoughts are not divisive in any vein.
Our President needs more than ongoing celebration…he and his cabinet need us to keep the grassroots work going…the grass we have in Fort Bend County is waist high and needs trimming. We will sustain unity within our party and that front will prove to be unconquerable despite the opposing party’s attempt to malign, obstruct, or manipulate.
It was once said that a house divided will fall…we can have litany of democrats in office but if we are not unified, like the proverbial…this too shall pass.
Award Singer and Composer Al Green wrote the song, which later became an Anthem, Let’s Get Together.
-Let’s, let’s stay together
-Lovin’ you whether, whether
-Times are good or bad, happy or sad
-Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad
-Why, why some people break up
-Then turn around and make up
-I just can’t see
-You’d never do that to me
-Staying around you is all I see
-(Here’s what I want us to do)
-Let’s, we oughta stay together
-Loving you whether, whether
-Times are good or bad, happy or sad
Well, let’s get together for once so we can take our county beyond a chromatic posture but in a strategic direction where we pump and prime our party daily…as I said before…I am game…for the party!