By Lowman S. Henry
If the Left had a religion
(which of course they don't), their Bible would be a book by tactical
guru Saul Alinsky entitled "Rules for Radicals." The original "community
organizer," Alinsky's seminal work has been the "how to" guide for the
extreme Left for several generations.
Using Alinsky's
rules, liberals (now re-branded progressives) have generally
out-maneuvered conservatives on the ideological battlefield. After an
extended period of time conservatives have somewhat caught onto the
Left's tactics, but still it would be helpful for the Right to have its
own set of rules. This is difficult because unlike the Left, which moves
in politically correct lockstep, conservatives actually think for
themselves making unity more difficult. But, herewith I am willing to
offer some suggested Rules for Conservatives:
Rule # 7:
Talk about why we can win, not why we can't. As the current
presidential campaign has unfolded conservatives have fallen into the
mainstream media trap of talking about why their candidates cannot win.
Trump can't win because he has a big mouth. Rubio can't win because he
isn't sufficiently conservative. Cruz can't win because he is too
conservative. Rather than focus on why each potential candidate can't
win, talk about why he or she can win.
Rule # 6: Obey
the "Buckley Rule." William F. Buckley, one of the founding fathers of
modern day conservatism back in 1964 observed that we should support
"the rightward most viable candidate." Conservatives love to stand on
principle, and while we should never abandon our core beliefs, we must
also take electability into account when deciding which candidate to
support.
Rule # 5: Don't fight over minor policy
differences. Especially in crowded primary fights candidates and their
supporters tend to fixate on even the tiniest differences in policy
positions. This causes voters' eyes to glaze over and worse obstructs
their view of the big picture. Yes, at some point those minor
differences will become important. But not until you actually win the
election and are in a position of power.
Rule # 4:
Accept partial victories. We all have a policy end game. But the
political process generally unfolds in small steps not in big, bold
moves. The Left understands this and is willing to accept a small
victory then come back and fight for more. Conservatives demand all or
nothing, and all too often end up with nothing. Remember, change is a
marathon, not a sprint.
Rule # 3: Don't hold grudges.
The old saying "friends are temporary, but enemies are forever" often
applies to conservatives. Your competitor in this election cycle or on
one policy fight just might be your ally in the next. Be willing to
forgive because there aren't enough of us to be divided by past
grievances.
Rule # 2: Be a happy warrior. Even when
almost felled by a would-be assassin's bullet Ronald Reagan joked with
doctors on his way into the operating room. We are not the dour old Left
that sits around worried about the world vaporizing because of climate
change. We live in the greatest nation known to man with freedoms
granted to us by our Creator. This is a cause for celebration and joy.
Act accordingly.
Rule # 1: Never give up. Yes, some of
our candidates will lose and the Left will win more than their share of
policy battles. But there is always another election and there will
inevitably be a new policy battle. Ronald Reagan lost a string of early
primaries in 1980 and was given up for politically dead. But he pushed
through the defeats, eventually winning enough delegates to claim the
nomination and ultimately the presidency. Ronald Reagan never gave up,
and neither should we.
I’m sure you could probably add a
few more rules of you own to this list, but as a new and pivotal year
in American history is about to unfold we need to keep our goals in
mind, focus on what is most important, and fight hard for freedom. After
all, this gift called America is now in our possession and it is our
duty to preserve, protect and defend what Abraham Lincoln called "the
last best hope" of man on Earth.
Lowman S. Henry is chairman and
CEO of the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research in Harrisburg,
and host of the weekly Lincoln Radio Journal. His email address is
lhenry@lincolninstitute.org
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