Why Do Conservative Lose Elections?
The Conservative Monitor
Nov 1998 By Tom Adkins
Americans agree with Republicans on virtually every issue.
Eliminate Affirmative Action? 83% Bring back school prayer? 73% Reduce all government agencies? 71% Term limits? 74% School Vouchers? 70% In fact, if you add up the issues, 60-80% of America agrees with Republicans most of the time.
So why do Republicans lose elections?
Why do Republicans struggle to get 50% of the vote when 70% of Americans agree with them? The answer is simple: Marketing.
Politicians are 90% salesmen. Politics is 90% marketing. Marketing is why we have VHS instead of Beta. Marketing is why we use IBM computers instead of Mac. And marketing is why America elects Democrats.
Why do Democrats dominate political marketing? Easy question. Liberals believe government can solve every problem. Therefore, the pinnacle of liberalism is working in the government. Conservatives however, believe in limited government. The pinnacle of conservatism is creating businesses, productive working, raising families…anything but the government. Therefore, the best conservatives are rarely found in government, while the best liberals are busy marketing liberalism to America. In Washington DC.
Democrats have done a masterful job of marketing liberalism. Which is pretty amazing, considering liberalism has failed horribly at everything except wasting immense amounts of money. On the other hand, Republicans have failed miserably at marketing, excelling only at pulling political defeat from the jaws of victory. Last month, while Bill Clinton was warning us to "save Social Security first", the GOP caved in to a 20 billion dollar Democrat spending increase.
That, my friends, is marketing.
I wonder how many times conservatives at home watch political TV shows, and scream at Republican guests who mumble and fumble, neglecting obvious counter- punches while the liberal guest dances around, baffling 'em with B.S.? Conservatives aren't even sending the "B" team to Washington. Conservatives send something like the "K" team. That is why it's a fair fight.
Democrats depend upon great marketing for survival. Remember, liberal ideology has failed. It is bankrupt. They must lie to get elected. Can you imagine a Democrat campaign based upon the truth? "Hello. 30 years ago, we convinced you to send all your money to Washington, so liberals could solve all your problems. We brought you welfare, quota systems, radical feminism, socialism, the attack on religion and morality, bad schools, Vietnam, Ebonics, and a social security system that won't be here in 30 years. And we increased taxes 400% to pay for it all. Instead of getting rid of those failed programs, we want to raise taxes even higher for more dumb programs. So please, vote for us in November" Actually, there were a few liberal candidates who told the truth. Mike Dukakis, Walter Mondale, Jimmy Carter. Remember what happened to them?
The Clinton presidency is a great case for marketing. His only significant accomplishment was passing Republican legislation, which has given us a strong economy. A potted plant could have served as well. Yet his approval rating, America's perception of his accomplishments, remains at about 60%. While some of us have recently reached a better understanding of Clinton's "accomplishments" in the Oval office, Bill Clinton's spinners and the adoring press have allowed him to appear as if he was actually doing something.
That, my friends, is marketing.
So why don't conservatives fight back? Good question. Take a conservative who is happily humming along with a wife, two kids and a $100,000 a year career. Why would he leave his family, take a pay cut and run for office? So he can battle a liberal opponent who lies, a press that lies and a stupefied nation that no longer pays attention?
Liberals are willing to eat dirt, lie and die for their cause. If conservatives made that sacrifice and sent their very best to Washington, the national debate would soon become conservatives versus Libertarians. Liberalism would be relegated to a quaint sideshow, like Pat Paulson's old Laugh-In presidential campaign. Which sadly, has become a good analogy.
This election, Republicans will take a few seats in the House and Senate, and pat themselves on the back. Actually, conservatives should totally dominate the political map. But that will never happen as long as the very best conservatives are at home. Conservatives have only themselves to blame for their inept marketing. The big question is; When will the very best conservatives make the sacrifice and serve their cause in the government? Or will America be further subjected to government by Laugh-In?
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