Promoted. Every state has a story, and we can use all the help we can get to tell those stories here at Red State. Here’s a fine example of how to do it, this time talking about Colorado. – Neil Stevens
The past two years have been a long, tough political season. I’ve been through eight Presidential campaigns in my adult life, and I can’t remember any of them being nearly as long as this last one. Already people are trying to gear up for 2012. I am not one of them. That’s not to say that I don’t have my own favorite(s) for that race, I’m just not interested in getting into it right now.
Colorado turned very blue in 2008. When I moved here in 2000, the following government offices were controlled by Republicans:
- Governor.
- Both U.S. Senate seats.
- 5 of 7 U.S. House seats.
- Colorado State Senate.
- Colorado State House of Representatives.
Every single one of those offices are now controlled by Democrats. We’ve been out-spent and out maneuvered, and our message has been completely lost. The Colorado GOP is in shambles. There are several reasons why we’ve lost so much ground, but a huge part of that reason is we’ve completely given up in areas where we thought we couldn’t win. As Joshua Sharf points out:
Abandoning Denver is the first step to abandoning Westminster, Arvada, and Arapahoe (which isn’t safe now, either). It’s thinking tactically rather than strategically, and that all the good tactics in the world won’t help a rebuild tarnished brand. We want to change the map, not just build walls here and there, and I think to do that, we need to think big. If we abandon Denver, we leave the other party free to do the same thing.
Several of us from the Rocky Mountain Alliance of Blogs are going to be putting our efforts into a 65-district statewide strategy. We will give no ground to the Democrats. We will fight them in the greatest strongholds. We also need to be true to the basic tenets of conservatism. Mark Hillman puts it into a business example:
We need to adopt a business mindset. Quite simply we are losing market share. When you really boil it down, we sell red widgets and the other party sells blue widgets. If the red widgets aren’t selling then one of three things might be going on…
1) People just don’t want red widgets anymore because they don’t offer what they want. (We need to change our widget)
2) People just don’t know about the red widgets and don’t realize that they really are a good product. (We need better advertising)
3) The red widgets do not actually deliver the features that they are advertised to be able to do. (We need to walk the talk)
To convince people that they should support the conservative message we have to first get that message out, and second be true to it ourselves. People don’t look at what we say, they look at what we do. Barack Obama was elected precisely because he promised to change things even though he’d never really done anything. People were willing to take a chance on that rather than once again give the other side a try when they’d proven they weren’t going to act like they said they would.
Joshua will be hosting a Blogtalk Radio Show each Tuesday night from 9:00pm to 10:00pm MST starting next Tuesday, Nov. 18th. I will be one of the guest hosts along with Michael Alcorn of bestdestiny. This is just the beginning of our strategy to get out the Conservative message in Colorado. Others in RMA2.0 will be guest hosting as well on a rotating basis. We should have some interesting guests stopping by from time to time. If you want to know what’s going on in Colorado, feel free to drop in.
I probably won’t be very active at this site for the next year or two. Unfortunately, this site still doesn’t lend itself to local activities yet, though I’ll be watching to see if that changes. I’m going to be attending City, County, and School Board meetings in Larimer County and reporting on what’s going on and where we need to focus our energy. I’ll be calling out our representatives when they represent us in such a way that does more harm than good, but also broadcasting when they help us. I’m going to be holding them accountable.
I’ll likely only post here when issues are national in nature, or affect a group larger than just our state. I will be lurking and reading though; it’s important to stay connected and keep abreast of what’s going on elsewhere.
I strongly urge others here to do likewise in their own community, County & State. I don’t believe that we need to move people to the right nearly as much as we need to get the ones that are already to the right invovled and informed.
As Sergeant Phil Esterhaus of Hill Street Blues used to say,
Hey, let’s be careful out there.
Daniel Horowitz
Neil Stevens
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Jake Walker
Hear,hear
redalert (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 2:26PM EST (link)Very nicely written and an excellent analysis of what happened in the election. Unfortunately,a lot of people on this site will keep mass producing red widgets even though they have gone out of style. When North Carolina and Virginia go to the Democratic party that should be a wake up call. When ALL of New England is now Democratic that should also be a wake up call,but from the postings on this site I see that lots of people want to keep doing the same old same old. You shall be missed. A voice of reason leaves and those who are running full steam ahead toward the precipice remain behind. Sigh.
as a well-known democrat has said...
randy streu (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 2:44PM EST (link)all politics is local.
If we want to win the country, we have to win the states. Localizing is the single best way to reach out and change the nation.
Blogging also at
SLC Republitarian
The Minority Report
I believe you missed the point.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 2:45PM EST (link)We must keep making red widgets. They are the best answer to the problems we face as a community, State, and Nation.
What we also need to do that we haven’t been doing, which is advertise better and actually live up to our conservative principles.
That’s what will put us back on top, not more Democrat Light which has been an utter and complete failure.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Got your point
redalert (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 5:56PM EST (link)No,I understood your point. I probably didn’t make myself clear. What I was trying to say is that there must be a different EMPHASIS on the issues that caused Republicans to lose. Some people think it was just McCain that lost,but the loss was across the board. In the House the losses were huge. In the Senate they were significant. I am NOT advocating conservatives give up their core values. What I am saying is that during the current mood in the country you do whatever it takes to get elected. Remaining pure and losing is not a strategy. If it means you have to hide your true intentions,then that’s what you do. It’s what you are calling advertising. I think in that advertising you have to de-emphasize that which is angering the electorate. Then once you get elected you do what you want. That’s what Obama did. The dream of the black community for the past 100 years has been to be paid “reparations” for the time they were slaves. Obama mentioned it ONCE in a black church and when he was criticized the next day,he never mentioned it again. That’s smart. That’s how you win. You might be interested in reading the speech that Tim Pawlenty just gave at the governors meeting today. It’s in the web edition of the New York Times. He is basically saying what I am saying. When tens of thousands of Latinos move into Colorado and the Republican Party insists on talking about issues that anger those people,then don’t be surprised when you get your head handed to you in a silver platter. When McCain almost lost in Indiana that should have alerted some folks. A Democrat winning in Indiana is comparable to a fundamentalist Muslim becoming Prime Minister of Israel. Unfortunately,some just don’t want to listen. When there isn’t a single member of the Senate or House from New England who is a Republican,something is wrong. When Obama won Ohio and Florida there is something wrong. Like they used to say in the old TV show, “Believe it or not”.
Well, I still think you're missing the point.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 6:16PM EST (link)The reason New England is 100% controlled by Democrats isn’t because the Republicans running are too conservative. It’s because they don’t look any different than the Democrats already in office!
And I disagree about misrepresentation to the voters to get elected. If we’re right, and I believe we are, we have to find a way to convince the voters that we’re right, and why voting for us is better for them. That’s when they’ll vote for us.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Compassionate conservative
redalert (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 6:45PM EST (link)I fear that Obama will get reelected in 2012 with the attitudes I am seeing on here. Everybody all of a sudden wants to be pure. Have you forgotten that the biggest doofus in history got elected twice? Bush won by portraying himself as a “compassionate conservative”. Did he mean it? Hell,no. Remember how he said he was totally against nation building? He criticized Clinton for it repeatedly. Yet,at the same time he and his people were already planning the invasion of Iraq. It didn’t take 9/11 to launch that invasion. Paul Wolfowitz wanted CLINTON to invade Iraq in 1998. Bush knew they would have to rebuild Iraq. Did he tell the voters that? He’s dumb,but he’s not crazy. He is cunning and a political animal. That’s how he won. That’s how he got reelected. Lying in politics is mandatory. Clinton understood that and so did Bush. McCain didn’t. The first two won the Presidency twice. That’s not unrelated. McCain is a man of principle. That’s why I admire him. However,you can’t be principled before you get elected. Only after. Poor Walter Mondale told people he was going to raise their taxes if he got elected. BAD MOVE.
Its not product or packaging- its the press
RborisT (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 7:07PM EST (link)It doesn’t matter how good your product is if the person selling it hates it. The press hates Red widgets. They tell everyone red widgets are bad, buy blue.
In our town, our state representative (blue widget) is under investigation for forging fec documents, there is an audio tape recording of her threatening a former law partner, corruption on and on.
Her opponent was a squeaky clean good conservative red widget.
Who do you guess the press supported? Which widget do you think the public bought?
It doesn’t matter what brand of red widget you are, the ‘R’ is enough; you are an enemy of the press. Until it changes in your town, red widgets will continue to lose.
I have proposed a solution in a post today. Let me know what you think:
Overthrow the MSM in Selected States Near You.
Stop supporting them.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 7:13PM EST (link)If we financially bankrupt them, it won’t matter. Until then, we have to find other ways to get our message out. That’s part of the “marketing”.
I also wrote a blog about the MSM. Let me know what you think.
I’ll go take a look at yours now.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Overthrow
redalert (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 7:17PM EST (link)Now you’re talking. I agree with you 100% that the MSM was totally for Obama and this made McCain’s victory practically impossible. I have never seen that sort of brainwashing in a democracy before. My cousin,who is a borderline racist,watched CNN every night for three hours or so. He became Obama’s biggest supporter. This from a guy who throws the “N’ word around casually ! In that regard,I agree with you. McCain was fatally wounded by the press,then killed by the economic crisis. Then he dug his own grave by refusing to sling mud at Obama early in the campaign. I am with you on overthrowing the MSM. That’s why when the deck is stacked against you,you lie,lie,lie. I don’t have the quote in front of me,but it’s the one where Reagan compared politics to a whore. The man knew what he was talking about. McCain thought politics was a virgin.
Reagan's quote's
izoneguy (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 7:34PM EST (link)“Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.”
Other Reagan Quotes or stuff you will never
hear Obama say:
“We have the duty to protect the life of an unborn child.”
“Within the covers of the Bible are all the answers for all the problems men face.”
“There are no easy answers’ but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”
“Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.”
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15.”
“We must not look to government to solve our problems. Government is the problem.”
“When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
“”…I know it’s hard when you’re up to your armpits in alligators to remember you came here to drain the swamp. (February 10, 1982)”
“There are no such things as limits to growth, because there are no limits to the human capacity for intelligence, imagination, and wonder”
“Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”
“One way to make sure crime doesn’t pay would be to let the government run it.”
“Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.”
“To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last — but eat you he will.”
“We don’t have a trillion-dollar debt because we haven’t taxed enough; we have a trillion-dollar debt because we spend too much”
“The most terrifying words in the English langauge are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
“Democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man.”
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.”
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
"didn't mean it"?
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 7:43PM EST (link)Are you kidding me? Not only did he mean it, he implemented it. What do you think “No Child Left Behind”, Medicare Part D, “Faith-Based Initiatives”, immigration “reform,” and the other idiotic quasi-left stupidity was? Fred Barnes rightly called it “big-government conservatism“, and I believe he used that last word very loosely.
Bush did two things very right: the War on Terror, and SCOTUS appointments (and he almost screwed up that one). His social policies were definitely on the right track, although past his executive orders he really didn’t accomplish much except hold back the tide. Unfortunately all of those things are going by the wayside with the Ego-Elect.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Redalert indeed.
JPH (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:00PM EST (link)I take exception to the “biggest doofus in history” remark. That’s just MSM claptrap. Here you have a president who kept America safe while terror stuck around the globe, had a solid, growing economy for six years (which he got no credit for and is more then many president have), took the r out of Oval Orifice and he’s the doofus?
Peddle that somewhere else, not here.
I love it!
JPH (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:03PM EST (link)n/t
As long as you're looking for a way to participate locally....
tororojo66 Wednesday, November 12th at 8:05PM EST (link)[Spam from a bigot redacted – NS]
NT, one thing I think we could do here on RS
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:10PM EST (link)is do some basic organizing, like hooking up bloggers and other activists from our respective states. You’ve obviously connected with those from Colorado. I would like to band together with other MO folks. I know there are a couple here, but we need to create a little sub-community and strategize on how we can move the cause forward.
While MO is a huge swath of red outside St. Louis and KC, the blue is starting to creep. We had about 6 or 7 blue counties this election, as opposed to three blues in 2004. Wrong direction, and that’s been born out by the ultra-thin margin for McCain (it’s still not been called for McCain, as the absentee and provisional ballots haven’t all been counted yet)
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
I'm not sure
jayx588 Wednesday, November 12th at 8:14PM EST (link)I agree with this. New England is a haven of beliefs in bigger government and equality (abortion, gay marriage), whereas the Western states are trending blue because so cons are preaching to a population that doesn’t fit them.
Keep the So. Cons. strong in the South; that’s their forte. Run the libertarians (arnold schwarzenegger, heather wilson) in the west and northeast because thats the population they ascribe by.
As a moderate republican, I couldnt help but to laugh as Warner crushed Gilmore in VA and Udall crushed Pierce in NM.
Sarah Palin’s approval ratings in AK have started to slide because the steve schmidt transformed her from an individual liberty/do whatever the hell you want type of governor to some bible thumping nut.
That works in South Carolina. Not in Colorado, New Jersey, or any swing state.
I have started my own private war with the MSM
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:16PM EST (link)I emailed the WaPo about their biased coverage in the election and asked for an explanation as to the fawning of Obama. I never received an answer, so I have started contacting the companies that advertise with them.
I make my case as to why I believe that since their companies do advertise with the Washington Post, I can no longer in good faith shop at their place of business and I am spreading my wealth elsewhere.
I have actually heard back from two companies.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
Why didn't he campaign?
redalert (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:24PM EST (link)If Bush is so great,why did every single candidate run from him like he had the plague? This is one time in which the press can’t be blamed. Even Republican voters couldn’t wait for him to leave office. He has the anti-Midas touch. Everything he touches turns to crap. He had bin Laden trapped and called off the troops. He screwed up Katrina. He screwed up the swift victory in Iraq.He leaves office with the country almost having had another Great Depression. The fact that Al Queda hasn’t attacked is typical of them. They attacked the World Trade Center in 1993. Then they stayed quiet until 2001. Are you going to claim that Clinton prevented terrorist attacks for those 8 years that they didn’t attack the U.S? Give me a break. Al Queda attacks on their own sweet time. Who knows what they are planning now? If nothing is learned from the disastrous Bush years,then Obama will get reelected. Too many people here are willing to defend Bush,even if means that voters tune out the party he came from. Wake up. It’s defense of the doofus that results in a mediocrity like Obama getting elected.
Agreed
Tim Wednesday, November 12th at 8:25PM EST (link)!
Curious...
itsonlywords (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:36PM EST (link)What were their responses?
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audientor ito. ~Virgil
Do not give in to evil, but proceed evermore boldly against it.
bs, I would LOVE to see RedState better address local and State issues.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:41PM EST (link)This isn’t a “goodbye cruel world” blog. I plan to cross-post stuff from my blog here still, especially when I’m addressing state issues and local issues that have a broad impact.
I was one of the people that was really excited about RS 3.0 because of the new features, including the State sites. I still plan to take advantage of them, I just don’t expect a lot of feedback or interaction right now. I’m sure it’ll improve as things grow here.
I was very fortunate that some other Colorado bloggers invited me to join them. These guys have been doing this for a while, and some of them are very connected in Colorado. I believe we’re ahead of the curve vs. other states, which is a good thing for us. That doesn’t mean you can’t get some things going there though.
I’d recommend that you get in touch with the Sam Adams Alliance. They’re working hard to give support to center-to-right bloggers in different States. That’s where I got my start. I got to meet Blue Collar Muse in person a couple of times. I’d start with him and he can get you connected to the right people that can help you get some organization going in MO.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
I applaud your effort!
panthera (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:50PM EST (link)I would like to do this too. Let us know the response.
Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
Tribal Voting Shift
stanpulle Wednesday, November 12th at 8:50PM EST (link)Unfortunately, there has been a tectonic shift in patterns of identity voting. Blacks, Hispanics, Moslems, single unmarried women (of course you won’t hear the MSM label them as “white, bitter unmarried women”) and liberal Jews have now become a bedrock platform of Democratic electoral success. These groups no longer seek the sanctuary of the Democratic Party, they are the new Democrats. The registration and voting trends amply bear this out. These identity grievance groups have hardened into a solid albeit pivotal voting block. While we still have “Joe the Plumber” type Reagan Democrats, I don’t think there are a sufficiently large number of them to tip the balance.
Chemerinsky is the same fool who after the 2000 elections, wrote an op-ed page in the LA Times on December 12, 2000 alleging that voters in Palm-Beach County were confused and deceived by the so-called “butterfly ballot” and that the courts should order a
Disagree
paint_it_red (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 8:51PM EST (link)The reason New England has lost is because we ran moderates for too long and stopped building a base in that region of the country. We became Democrat-lite, and the Democrats are better at being Democrats. If you abandon the socon base, then are you going to win the left? No, you just lose the right.
The Democrats tried what you just suggested and tried to run regional moderates in the middle of their 12 year exile from Congressional control. And they got obliterated because their moderate Dems are not as good at being Republicans as Republicans are.
They regained power when they built up a 50 state grassroots strategy and grew their party and energized their base. Let’s take a lesson from this page of history and from the lesson as to what has happened to our own regional moderates.
Is a Republican going to win in a CA Senate race by centerpiecing abortion? No. But even there, more Pro-Lifers base their vote on the abortion issue than Pro-Choicers do. Run a Pro-Choicer, and you don’t win the Pro-Choicers who still go with the more liberal dem, you just lose a substantial portion of the Pro-Lifers who will base their vote on a non-moot issue.
Find the winning local issue, whatever it is, but don’t start throwing parts of the coalition overboard. Otherwise, you may get fiscal conservatives and no socons in the west, socons and no fiscal conservatives in the south, and no conservatives at all in New England.
“It is not good to cultivate a respect so much for the law as for the right. The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think is right.” Henry David Thoreau
“The means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek.” Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you want peace, work for Justice.” Pope John Paul II
One sent me a 10% off coupon for services
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:04PM EST (link)and a nice note saying that they hoped they would see me soon. um…okay.
The other one, sent me a formal letter thanking me for my input and they would forward it to their advertising department for consideration.
I will keep going. Eventually, I am hoping more people will zone in on the revenues needed by the lame stream media and will start doing the same.
Money talks and I do believe that their “ethical integrity” will change should their fortunes start changing.
They are presstitutes.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
Blah, Blah, Blah
JPH (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:11PM EST (link)Swallow every MSM line whole, didn’t ya? Bush’s unpopularity is a testament to the power of the media, and as long as people like you are there to lap it up, it will continue.
It's even more a testament to the idea that
mbecker908 (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:16PM EST (link)when attacked by lies and distortions you HAVE TO fight back.
Another "State" idea.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:20PM EST (link)I appreciate Neil promoting this blog. I really believe our success at the State level starts at the local level, and our success at the national level will be a result of successful work of the previous two.
There’s been a lot of talk about Open Blogs and their importance. Along the lines of your suggestion to network with people in the same State, how about a “Open State Blog” once per week that highlights a particular State. People can chime in and throw some things against the wall to see what sticks.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Good idea.
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:27PM EST (link)I need to do some MO research, as I don’t know much about stuff outside the STL metro area. Maybe I can work towards that goal. Anyone interested in teaming up with the blogger who is “featured” could probably forward their email to the Redstate contact email to gather up the contacts for later organizing. I think the RS honchos also would like to do some of this by beefing up the member profiles.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Local Press
PasadenaRSFan Wednesday, November 12th at 9:38PM EST (link)I take your point and agree. However, I do wonder what your thoughts are on the local press. Most support the conservative candidate in the race, and most are well respected by their circulation. Each paper has a much smaller circulation when compared to the MSM, but in aggregate, I don’t know.
Any thoughts on how to better leverage the small town press into more conservative support?
Never Give Up
cookcountyconservative (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:39PM EST (link)“Conservatism works, everytime it’s tried.” Rush Limbaugh
It can’t work if you don’t try.
Believe me – I know.
Never give up – from the Cook County GOP! (yes it does exist)
What if...
RborisT (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:43PM EST (link)One more thought on these red states turning blue like our state NC did…
Nighttwister my question for you is this:
What if the press in Colorado had been completely fair and balanced in the elections, what if they had really reported the real Obama, given Palin a fair hearing, and not allowed all the one sided attacks against our ticket? What if they had truly and objectively compared the record and background of McCain and Obama?
What if Fox News had to do ALL the reporting: TV, radio, newspapers etc.? Would this have made a difference? It sure would have in my state. The point is, if you say yes, it would have changed things, then realize: then press IS the problem…
Colorado will turn after a few years of the libs...
izoneguy (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:49PM EST (link)…they will try and go in and shut down all the ski resorts – stating it’s for environmental reasons. The libs will try to limit access to recreation areas. More and more homeless will run downtown Denver. We went to Denver a few years ago and were shocked at the amount of bums in the city.
The point cannot be made often enough: Modern liberalism, as embodied in the Obama presidency, is the defender of the status quo. And the status quo is a road to economic ruin. Political forces cannot redistribute the wealth that the economic system does not produce.
While Nero Fiddled....
LI_Conservative (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:50PM EST (link)Nightwister,
I couldn’t agree with you article more.
I’ve noticed too often threads at Redstate become discussions purely about ‘theories’ of conservatism rather than actually taking action at the local and state level.
I wanted to remind that the election is still not over. The GA Senate run-off is December 2 and the LA-2 and LA-4 elections are Dec. 6.
How many Redstaters in those states are involved in GOTV efforts? How many are going to be manning phone banks or participating in lit drops?
While we endlessly talk about the future of conservatism the mobilized liberals keep getting farther ahead of us.
This is an interesting question
itsonlywords (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:50PM EST (link)In my state, I’m not sure it would have made a difference on the national level, but it might have helped on the local level.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audientor ito. ~Virgil
Do not give in to evil, but proceed evermore boldly against it.
Moderates
finaljeopardy Wednesday, November 12th at 9:57PM EST (link)Olympia Snowe and Arlen Specter are being targeted by the Democrats. Moderates are in trouble in 2010, even in the northeast.
I think
SE-779 (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 9:59PM EST (link)That we are non-existent in New England because when the Solid Liberals that make up something like 70% of their population think of the GOP, they tend to think of George Bush and Mitt Romney. Bush and Romney are deeply hated by the Left in New England and those feelings spill all over GOP candidates in New England, even the most Die Hard Liberal GOP’ers(Chaffee anyone). I say that until we get better candidates, New England is gone for us. I don’t mean this as a put-down, but this is our situation in New England, and we have to combat this dire situation with real GOP candidates.
“Earnesty is stupidity sent to College”-PJ O’Rourke
“If you vote based on who has more election signs, you’re an idiot.”-Glenn Beck
“Stupid is what stupid writes.”-Yogi Berra
“It ain’t over til’ the sodaholic passes a gall-stone.”
“If I am going to stick a knife in you I am going to do it up front in your chest, I am never going to do it in your back. You will always see it coming.”-John Oxendine
“If wishes were horses, we’d be knee deep in crap.”-Dr. Robert “Rocket” Romano
“Yeah, try to hide your wild enthusiasm at my return. I find overt displays of emotion embarrassing.”-Dr. Robert “Rocket” Romano
“If you want something cuddly to keep you company, buy a hamster, don’t have a child.”-Jesse Ventura
The press is not the problem.
NightTwister (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:00PM EST (link)Lazy, uninformed people are the problem.
We can’t change the former, but we can do something about the latter.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
I agree
antisocial (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:19PM EST (link)But I’d want to elaborate…
Committed voters (Republicans or Democrats) are never going to change if one of the candidates is not completely out of party line. The key is to keep them engaged not only during campaign’s but throughout. Keep them engaged on issues with local communities. Make them feel a part of the movement and the party not just a voter. That holds true for both parties.
Moderates and Independents need true alternatives. Usually they are not bothered by extreme positions or controversial ideological issues. This is the segment where marketing and advertising is critical. There is no need to change the party for that. The idea is to get the message to these groups. Not necessarily changing the messages. Moving party to left or center is an absurd idea. If somebody needs a left alternative they will vote democrat instead of going for a mixed up and confused republican.
Inducting and then keeping new voters need to be a priority agenda. That’s where marketing and advertising is critical. Ground operations need to be continuously beefed up. If the continuous
We need role models. From local leaders to politicians who can make the voters feel proud of their party. The ranks need to be replenished continuously.
I would sum it as:
Advertising
Communication
Ground operations and engagement.
Role models
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
Hispanics
dld1717 (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:28PM EST (link)Obama did very well with Hispanics in all states and especially in Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico and it poses a grave problem for our party
We most work to correct the stigma we are anti Hispanic
redalert, your screed has become tiresome
eburke (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:30PM EST (link)I’m so tired of the ‘we need to run social moderate/fiscal conservatives’ meme because you can’t find enough of ‘em to start a basketball team. The same folks who are ‘social moderates’ are fiscal moderates also. Just check the voting records (though you haven’t exactly struck me as someone to whom facts matter)
This whole canard is evidenced in your litany of Bush ‘sins’ you just listed. Strangely absent in all of his mistakes is his drunken orgy of spending. How typical of the “SoCons are the root of all evil in our party” moderates.
Be gone…please. The canard grows old.
“All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Unified Patriots
Here in Texas
Menlo (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:31PM EST (link)We are going to need to work in the 2010 Republican primary for governor to defeat Perry and Kay Barely Republican should she run. There are rumors Dan Patrick may run, and that is one campaign for which I would be delighted to help as best I could.
My district (and really my whole county) is already as red as can be with one of the few conservatives in Congress and the state house, so there is not much I can do at that level.
Ideologically, the electorate is no different than it was in 2004. The shifts have only been partisan. However, I do wonder if the 45 percent who call themselves “moderate” in 2008 are really more liberal than the 45 percent who called themselves “moderate” in 2004.
“The ultimate touchstone of constitutionality is the Constitution itself and not what we have said about it.” -Felix Frankfurter
Wonderful
antisocial (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:36PM EST (link)Your are great when you are pissed off
Love it.
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
There *are* Republicans in New England
charliehall Wednesday, November 12th at 10:43PM EST (link)Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have Republican governors! Connecticut hasn’t elected a Democratic governor in 22 years. But many commenters in places like this probably consider them to be RINOs.
Charlie Hall
Blaming poor minorities for the collapse of the housing market
charliehall Wednesday, November 12th at 10:45PM EST (link)plays right into the hands of Democrats.
Charlie Hall
Spot on
antisocial (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:46PM EST (link)you are on fire tonight… and absolutely on target. We cannot rely on Media. Also media follows the leader and winner. Media will fall in line once we start Leading and winning.
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
The most amazing thing about the electoral map
charliehall Wednesday, November 12th at 10:52PM EST (link)is how Democrats won almost all the suburbs of the major cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and West Coast. Places like Nassau County, NY that used to be overwhelmingly Republican are now voting Democratic — and in local elections, too. The areas that McCain gained over Bush in 2004 are mostly areas with declining population. Virginia going Democratic for the first time since Harry F. Byrd, SENIOR was in the US Senate was entirely the result of the suburban areas in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads turning blue. (McCain actually turned red some rural counties that had almost always voted Democratic, but that isn’t where the votes are anymore.)
Charlie Hall
MA Here
1stRichard (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 10:55PM EST (link)You are all totally wrong about MA.
Reference
http://maps.google.com/help/maps/elections/#2008_election
Look at MA
To the right Boston is historically all blue but now there is some red there and it was much closer this time.
To the left were I am it is typically more red especially in the hill towns and much closer, it is not this time.
As expected the college towns show their bias but never like this
Look at Northampton 83/15 and Amherst 87/10
Typically there is never much turnout at voting 25 to 30 percent for a sleepy town like South Hadley, this time it was 8,988 out of 10,071 and no one was reporting long lines or crowds. Some of us are dumbfounded because we did not see them so how did they get to vote? I would not be surprised there was some type of fraud going on.
Yet another note is everyone wanted change but when it came to our tax and spend liberals that have destroyed this state they became hypocritical and voted them back in, as expected.
Note that the largest employer in almost every town and city is the town and city its self, what a mess.
What ever serotype MA had seems to be gone. It is something different, what I don’t know for sure
This map
http://maps.google.com/help/maps/elections/#2008_election
Reference Nevada Oregon Virginia Pennsylvania and Florida
It is interesting because it shows most of the state voted red but the population voted blue. This shows that our population centers control our nation.
That's One Possibility - The Other Is That CO Becomes CA/IL
IJB Wednesday, November 12th at 11:03PM EST (link)I’m not saying that will happen.
But in states on the borderline, there’s two possibilities:
1) They are just currently flirting with Blue, and will go back to being Red. (I fully think that NC & IN fall into this category.)
2) They are trending Blue, and the lefties will become permanently entrenched and will make it impossible for the GOP to win statewide. (This is exactly what has happened in CA & IL, and in the most extreme case MA.)
Which way CO (or VA) will go cannot be determined at this point. It will depend on a number of factors.
On questions like this, sometimes you just have to wait to see the answer.
Saxby is being targeted in a negative way by the media today too. nt
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 11:06PM EST (link)nt
Strategy Is Incomplete and Will Fail
faultrace Wednesday, November 12th at 11:15PM EST (link)While the steps outlined in the strategy are necessary for long-term success, they overlook the fundamental problem, namely, that all major institutions are controlled by the left. Schools, universities, government at all levels, and the media are structured to produce and support Democrats and their policies. Republicans must contest control of these institutions to have any hope of long-term success.
Hmm...
drothgery Wednesday, November 12th at 11:23PM EST (link)There’s a very real possibility I’ll be moving to CO next year (yeah, I know, another Californian coming to Colorado); it’d be odd to live in a swing state after living in NY, MA, and CA (and so tilting at windmills when voting Republican) since I was 15.
Saxby is being targeted by the media
LI_Conservative (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 11:27PM EST (link)like all Republicans are. But he still got the most votes and without the Libertarian he should get more votes. But that won’t happen if Republicans and Libertarians don’t show up. The evangelicals who sat out the general election as well as the 2006 election need to show up so the Messiah doesn’t get 60 votes.
Like any other election Get Out the Vote efforts are urgently needed. McCain is scheduled to campaign and possibly Palin. These are good to see but the local ground effort does more to push people to go out and vote. Volunteers to work the phone banks and handing out literature in person are needed more than the endless philosophical discussions about the future of conservatism.
Will that be on NBC or CBS?
RborisT (Diary) Wednesday, November 12th at 11:49PM EST (link)Through exactly which of the press-controlled mediums do you propose to educate the masses? lol
Rather like a doctor syaing, “You have cancer, but we’re treating your cold. It’s easier.”
Message?
smiling_dog Thursday, November 13th at 12:44AM EST (link)What message is that? That Obama is buddy-buddy with William Ayers? That deregulation is good for the economy? That global warming is fake?
What you NEED is a message.
This is all very nice but
The Pennsylvania Republican (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 12:53AM EST (link)I like the poster’s original theme of developing a local “ground game” in his state. Regardless of the state-by-state nuances of demographics, conservatives are out there who need to be mobilized. If we don’t even believe that I’d say it’s time to get bitter and hide under a rock.
My wife and I saw our GOP ground game get trounced at the poll level by enthusiastic “change” supporters seemingly everywhere. I believe that much of the Dems momentum can be blunted in 2012 (or even in 2010) by a concerted local effort by Republicans now that we’re beyond Bush’s polarizing years. We need to stick with our values and explain ourselves better at the community level. Every blogger and commenter should be looking around their own community for ways to get involved with the Party org and make change!
“I’m LAUGHING at your superior intellect…” James T. Kirk
“What is the use of being elected or re-elected unless you stand for something?” 2-time POTUS Grover Cleveland.
I'm South
Incredible (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 1:18AM EST (link)And apparently Night Twister is waaaay North. Look me up if you end up near.
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Thomas Jefferson
Join the RedState Strike Force
Heh
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 1:32AM EST (link)My first thought was BAN.
So I clicked the link to take me to the BAN screen.
Then I had second thoughts.
But, finally I saw your email address and that ended all doubt.
Blam for bad faith.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Another Coloradan
mcrill (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 2:00AM EST (link)I agree that we’re in trouble in Colorado, but more than anything our failing this year was in getting people involved. I agree wholeheartedly that our mission for the next few years is in educating our state on important issues. I have great faith that our Democratic legislature will help by being an epic failure, but that doesn’t lessen the magnitude of our tasks.
Barack Obama: Change, it’s all you’ll have left.
Not From Colorado, but...
free2fly Thursday, November 13th at 2:37AM EST (link)I’m from Illinois and if want to see how well the democrats are at running things, IL is the perfect place to start. Everyone, from the mayor of Chicago to the senators and beyond, is all democrats and that state is an absolute disaster. Found some facts that are rather disturbing: In the last six months about 295 murdered in Chicago; about 221 killed in Iraq. State pension fund is $44 billion in debt, which makes it the worst in the country. The county Chicago is in (Cook Country) has the highest rate of sales tax in the country at 10.25%. And lets not forget the school systems in Chicago are some of the worst in the country.
There are no republicans in power to blame there so they all blame one another. From the looks of things, Colorado could be quickly following suite now that democrats are the only ones in power.
“Im not a republican because I grew up rich, but because I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life poor, waiting for the government to rescue me.”
?
Chance Haywood (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 3:01AM EST (link)Why exactly would you ban someone for pointing out the flaw in the post?
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I'm in the Bronx
Chance Haywood (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 3:08AM EST (link)While I know in general the showing in NYC isn’t expected to be strong by the GOP this was the most pathetic attempt I’ve ever seen a county put forth.
When I walked into the voting both earlier this month the only person on the ballot I had heard of before was John McCain. I didn’t know who was running for the state senate or assembly on the GOP ticket. Worse yet the guy who was running for state senate was on both the democrat and republican line. Naturally I wrote my own name in as a protest. It gets better though. Our assembly candidate got almost 40% less votes while the democrat vote total was static. Of course if you don’t actually run a campaign I guess you should feel fortunate anyone bothers voting for you.
That was pretty much the last straw for me. I’ve decided to run for District Leader. I’m not entirely sure how many votes it will take to remove the county chairman but I plan on finding them.
Support Bronx County Young Republican Club
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Why CO is different...for now.
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 7:39AM EST (link)As I stated in the original post, the national Democratic Party dumped a ton of money here to turn us blue. Udall campaigned heavily with the Hollywood crowd. Moveon.org was instrumental in bringing cash from around the nation here. The Democrat National Convention was here for a reason. They pulled out all the stops in a State that was close to turning and they made it happen.
The difference is, those carpetbaggers have packed up their things and gone home. The deep pockets are gone. We’re back on a level playing field in spending at least. With a good, strong, consistent conservative message, and everyone’s efforts to get that message out in spite of the mainstream media, we can turn this State red again. We just have to be willing to do the hard work to make it happen.
If we don’t do these things, the State will continue to slide to the left and we will look like Illinois. I for one am not willing to sit around and let that happen.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Look, I like your ideas about hitting the MSM.
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 7:48AM EST (link)Letting their sponsors know that we don’t like the unbalanced coverage is a good thing.
But that’s a long-term strategy. It’s not likely that these organizations are going to change soon…if at all.
We have to find other ways to get our message out. We network in our local communities. Blogging, Blogtalk radio, talking with friends, going to local GOP functions, etc.
Also, I plan to start spending more time volunteering in my community. There are several schools that need help. Two schools here in Fort Collins have asked for volunteers to help children learn to read better. These schools are in low income areas, where students are always behind in scores.
Instead of waiting for the next government program to “help” our children, I’m going to go do something about it myself. If these kids, who based on the demographics are better educated, hopefully when they’re older they’ll be able to make better decisions about political philosophies.
Ultimately these choices come down to the moral fiber of our nation. Morals and ethics are an afterthought for many people, if that. But that’s another blog for another day.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
Moderates are the ones losing
Bsports (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 9:27AM EST (link)jayx588 partial quote:
Jay, I’m not sure if you have noticed, but it is alot of those same moderates out there that are taking a beating these days like Shays,Gordon,and Dole. Maybe they aren’t conservative enough in some ways.
I would rather try to convice folks in states like COLORADO that the coservative way is the right way, instead of giving up my principles just to WIN!
Spot on, Bsports. But beyond your accurate
eburke (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 10:49AM EST (link)and cogent points, moderates will soon discover that they no longer have the luxury of being ‘moderate’ and above all this ‘partisan posturing’.
What the libs have in mind is not in any way, shape or form ‘moderate’. Moderates will soon be forced to choose between statism and freedom – the leftists in charge now will leave them no choice.
“All that need be done for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Unified Patriots
There are Better Ways To Spend Time and Money
Swamp_Yankee (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 11:22AM EST (link)I’m against this purging. Don’t we have bigger fish to fry than Rick Perry and Huthcinson. Really.
Spreading Democrat talking points is always bannable (nt)
Neil Stevens (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 11:22AM EST (link)RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
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Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
But do they want our help?
athanasiusrc Thursday, November 13th at 1:16PM EST (link)This weekend I wrote to the El Paso County Republicans (one of the few red places left in Colorado and where I live) asking if I could somehow get involved in strategic planning for the party.
This is the response I have received:
(crickets chirping)
I sent a second note this morning asking if they got my first note. I won’t hold my breath.
Aquinas and More Catholic Goods
http://www.aquinasandmore.com
CO GOP is a mess.
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 1:33PM EST (link)We’re probably going to have to go around them for now. That’s why I’m putting my efforts into blogging and getting the news out myself. That means I have to go places (public council & board meetings), and interview conservative candidates.
We had a problem this last cycle with local candidates not getting any news coverage (or only bad coverage). That’s going to change. Hopefully the word gets out to other like-minded conservatives and we start spreading the word that way.
With the blogger association (RMA2.0) we can collectively get to more ears. But I know I’m not waiting around for the local GOP to get their act together. I’ll certainly help if they want it, but I can’t make them take it.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill
No
Menlo (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 1:41PM EST (link)There is nothing “bigger” where I live. The discussion here is getting local. Texas Republicans at the state level have lost their way and are headed the same direction as Repubilcans nationwide.
Besides, I think government at the state level is at least as important, if not more so, than at the federal level.
“The ultimate touchstone of constitutionality is the Constitution itself and not what we have said about it.” -Felix Frankfurter
can't argue with that : )
RborisT (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 6:00PM EST (link)n/t
That too.
JPH (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 6:14PM EST (link)n/t
Speaking of beating the MSM (New CO News Source)
NightTwister (Diary) Thursday, November 13th at 7:09PM EST (link)How about some Complete Colorado?
You’ll likely recognize the format.
The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter. – Winston Churchill