leadership

As there has been a lot of conversation about the framing of conservative messaging and how to deal with with race issues on this site, I thought I'd bring up two articles I wrote for another website today.

The first article deals directly with the first issue I'd like to raise.  A host of elected Republican officials are rightfully calling for Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to submit her letter of resignation.  While I'm sure someone has, I've yet to see someone provide a politically viable suggestion to replace the DHS Secretary.

It's one thing to take political swipes at the opposition.  It takes leadership to find a solution which might be acceptable to the Obama administration, Republicans and a general public that is generally more concerned with good government than with the latest political barbs.

My solution to this situation may not be the best one, but at least I've offered a host of reasons as to why Judge Andrew Napolitano could be a very suitable replacement for Janet Napolitano.  The American public has been crying for solutions, not partisan bickering.  The GOP could have easily stepped up to the plate on this one, but didn't.

The other issue I'd like to cover is race. On rare occasions, there is an element of truth to cries from the left about racism on the right.  Most of the time these allegations couldn't be farther from the truth.

However, assuaging one's conscience by casting a vote for Michael Steele and then disregarding the black community for the next several years will not win Republicans votes from the African-American community.  Like any other votes, these have to be earned.

In Alabama, two Republicans are making a difference in the African-American community on a solidly conservative issue: property rights.   If you aren't aware, in the land of Rosa Parks, black people are frequently taken advantage of when it comes to eminent domain abuse.  A few years back, nationally syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz heavily publicized one such case in nearby Alabaster, Alabama.

I'd like to quickly highlight these two Republicans who aren't afraid to step out of their own comfortable communities to help those with fewer political or financial resources.  The first is Alabama State Senator Scott Beason, who will sit on a panel next week at an Alabama Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights panel entitled “Civil Rights Implications of Eminent Domain Policies and Practices in Alabama.” Senator Beason is highly respected throughout the state, and it's easy to see why.

A key driving force behind this panel is Shana Kluck.  Shana is not only a member of the Alabama Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, but she also serves on her state GOP executive committee, is president of the Alabama Republican Assemby and serves as secretary of the Alabama Republican Liberty Caucus.  When she's not busy homeshcooling her four children, consulting on Web 2.0 projects, engaged in Eagle Forum activities, attending various political meetings around the state and working behind the scenes on a variety of conservative and libertarian causes, she is busy helping me on campaigns.

Considering Shana's schedule, very few of us have grounds to offer the excuse that we are too busy to become more involved in the African-American community.

Instead of sitting around complaining about how black people voted in previous election cycles, Senator Beason and Ms. Kluck are taking leadership roles in providing justice for members of the African-American community.

If I may be so bold as to provide two solutions for the conservative movement, they are:

• Instead of merely attacking the opposition with nuisance fire (appropriately called sniping) to exploit a weak spot in their battle line, maximize your attack by actually providing a viable politcal solution.
• If you aren't active in your local African-American community, you've no right to complain if you receive very few of their votes on Election Day.

Personal responsibility is a key component of conservativism and just stewardship should be a part of conservative leadership.  Hopefully, Republican Party leaders will take these sorts of messages to heart.  Otherwise, one can expect the GOP to walk through the wilderness for another 38 years.

By federalistblogs

Sure all the media attention over the feud between President Obama and Rush is entertaining.  It brings great ratings ( and page views ) too.  However, for the long term success of the Conservative movement we need strong leaders who are following a clear set of Principle to live by and Objectives to be accomplished. 

I have already done two entries here on what I feel are vital Principles that the Conservative movement needs steer itself by.  If you missed those stories, they are here and here.  I am also including them at the end of this entry.  I consider these the start of a sort of Declaration of Conservatism.  On top of Principles we also need to start building some Objectives to accomplish and turn the country back on course.  Today I will start my own little list of Objectives.  It is my hope that these Principles and objectives will be picked up by the GOP, or somebody else, to get the country back on track.

To my mind any Objective needs to be short and simple to be accomplished.  It you need a 1,000 page bill to explain it you are on the wrong path.  Here is my start of Objectives for Conservative politicians to accomplish.

• The current tax system has got to go.  We need either a flat tax, sales or value added tax, or some combination of the above.  The current system is built to encourage people to see what they can get away with ( see recent WH nominees ) and so complex that otherwise honest people often do make mistakes.  Any system this large and complex needs to go.
• We are a nation of people who are endowed with certain inalienable rights by our Creator.  Stop trying to take references to our Creator out of everything.  Leave alone money and the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Education is vital to our long term success.  We spend too much money for too little reward.  The biggest problem is that most the money is wasted on administration at the Federal, State and County levels.  The government has to push a top down restructuring of the expense structure just like a business would do to get more money to the students and the teachers who educate them.
• If you are an illegal alien and you get caught committing ANT crime, the punishment is simple.  You go back home.  No need to waste money on a trial, jail anything.  The biggest crime is being here illegally so we will take that money to send you back on the next commercial flight.
• We need to address all aspects of our energy policy.  We have to drill now to make it through.  We must subsidize and Manhattan Project or NASA like push to develop clean affordable renewable energy to transfer to private industry for implementation.
• We need a single uniting language by law.  English has been the standard thus far, so get over it. 
• Anybody left in a position of power for too long becomes more concerned with retaining that power than fairly exercising it.  We need a system of term limits for all elected officials.  It does not have to be a lifetime limit like the Presidency.  The Articles of Confederation limited service to no more than three out of any six years. 

That is my start for now.  I will update this again in a week or two.  I would love to hear input.  I would REALLY love to hear from an elected official or party official who wants to do something like this, but that may bee too much to ask.

And finally, the list of Principles.

• The principles set forth by our founders are just as valid and current today as they were then.  While they have been amended, the basic concepts are as simple as the natural laws like gravity.  They created a framework to allow for a level of liberty never before reached, and never since surpassed.  It is our role as Americans to learn and understand these principles first.  Then we must all strive to carry them on lest we allow something truly inspired to disappear from the earth over petty wants.
• We live in a nation that provide for truly limitless opportunity to succeed.  The flip side of that is that we also have an almost equally limitless opportunity to not succeed.  Success is not an entitlement, but rather a product of focus, work, dedication and on occasion some good fortune.  Every time you make a change to raise the bottom and “protect” some from failing, you take an equal amount off the top and deny some of their right to achieve greatness.
• We are all bound equally by the laws of the land regardless of race, sex, sexually orientation, national origin, or station in life.  We all have to play by the same rules for the system to work.  We can certainly never create rules exempting some to protect their position.  If a law requires one group to be exempted, then all must be exempted.  An example of this in particular is laws passed by our Congress that they choose to not apply to themselves.
• All political power rests first with “We the people.”  As a republic, we choose to lend that power to the officials who we elect.  We demand that they represent the principles that we put them in office for.  We can, and must, take back the power we have granted them when they fail to uphold our principles.  It is also important to remember that the power is for ELECTED officials.  Career bureaucrats may be there to help implement, but they do not truly posses that power.
• Power has a tendency to collect and pool, much like water.  It has to be moved and stirred periodically or it grows stagnant and becomes foul.  The founders created a system of differing term lengths for the different offices to encourage that constant change.  Nobody should be in a single office for 20 or 30 years, as often happens now.  When water keeps collecting in the same spot, you make structural changes like raising the grade or putting in a pump to permanently fix the problem.  We need voluntary and/or Constitutional term limits to make this kind of structural change now.
• For a truly just society to thrive, you need a set of higher ideals and a stronger moral compass then simply the laws created by man.  Our forefathers created our nation based on the principle that we are guided by “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God” and that we are we are endowed by our “Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”  We as a people require tolerance and understanding to support all others in their personal beliefs of a higher authority.  We do not have to always agree, but accept.
• No government will ever be able to legislate people to be good or do the right thing.  Laws try to prevent bad behavior by providing penalties.  Laws to prevent wrongs are simple.  Laws that try to control and mandate behavior, which are impossible by design, become even more useless due to their intense complexity.  While most people will try to be good ( some do not need laws at all to do the right thing and some will just follow the laws ), others will do wrong no matter how you try to stop it.
• We may on occasion look to government to provide a helping hand, but should never look for a safety net.  A helping hand gives you a push or pull in the right direction if something goes wrong.  It keeps you going by providing a little help and encouragement.  A net is used to catch and trap things, and has that exact effect on people when the government provides one for them.
• A free and civil flow of ideas is indispensable for the strength and survival of a democratic society.  No expression of ideas, no matter how alien they may seem is un-American even if the ideas seem anti-American.  The obvious exceptions are speech that cause or encourage harm to others.  How you say things can also limit the time and place it is appropriate to say them.  In other words if you cannot express you pleasure or displeasure without dropping the F-bomb you can not express those ideas in an Elementary school.

Over the past month, John McCain's online shop has churned out video after video aimed at Barack Obama. Most are television ads, while others were made just for the Internet. All of them have hit their mark dead center.

Let's go to the tape for a recap:

-- July 21, "Pump": Asks who is to blame for higher gas prices and answers the question with background voices chanting "Obama! Obama!" The kicker: "Don't hope for more energy; vote for it."

-- July 26, "Troops": Criticizes Obama foreign affairs and defense policy record and blasts him for playing basketball while abroad but not visiting U.S. troops when cameras were banned. The kicker: "John McCain is always there for our troops."

-- July 30, "Celeb": Calls Obama "the biggest celebrity in the world," comparing him with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears, but suggests he isn't ready to lead. The kicker: "Higher taxes, more foreign oil -- that's the real Obama."

-- Aug. 1, "The One": Internet video that mocks the messianic feel of the Obama campaign and Obama's own grandiose statements about being "a symbol of America returning to our best traditions." Moses imagery included. A sequel posted online Aug. 21 took a similar satirical approach to the Democratic convention.

-- Aug. 12, "Fan Club": A faux invitation to join the Obama fan club, with "amazing" perks that include higher taxes. The kicker: "We know he doesn't have much experience and isn't ready to lead. But that doesn't mean he isn't dreamy!"

And then came this flurry of ads over the past few days, right as Democrats gathered in Denver to nominate Obama:

-- Aug. 22, "Higher": Portrays Obama as a celebrity who doesn't understand the impact that new taxes have on the family budget. The kicker: "He's ready to raise your taxes -- but not ready to lead."

-- Aug. 22, "Joe Biden On Barack Obama": Resurrected Biden's criticisms of Obama right as word broke that Biden was Obama's pick for vice president -- and the praise that Biden bestowed on McCain. Great Obama reaction visual.

-- Aug. 22, "Passed Over": Accuses Obama of not picking Hillary Clinton as his vice president because she spoke the truth about him in the Democratic primary. The kicker: "The truth hurt, and Obama didn't like it."

-- Aug. 22, "3 AM": Borrows Clinton's much-discussed ad footage that suggests Obama lacks the experience to lead in an emergency. The kicker: "Hillary's right."

-- Aug. 22, "Debra": Loyal Clinton supporter vows to vote for McCain and tells other Democrats it's OK to do the same. The kicker: "Now [McCain's] the one with the experience and judgment."

-- Aug. 26, "Tiny": Highlights Obama's rhetoric downplaying the threat that Iran poses to the United States and Israel. The kicker: "Obama, dangerously unprepared to be president."

The latest Internet video was released yesterday. Dubbed "Remote Control," it shows scenes of dangers in the world as leading Democrats criticize Obama's foreign policy views and as Obama professes himself to be "a believer in knowing what you're doing." The ad is getting rave reviews.

Each video is powerful of its own right for different reasons -- the appeals to popular culture, the background chants of "O-ba-ma, O-ba-ma," the perfect timing, and the use of Obama's own words and those of his allies. But the videos are even more powerful as a package.

They are driving home a central theme -- that Obama isn't "ready to lead." Because he isn't ready to lead, the ads say, Americans can expect less national security, higher taxes, a continuing energy crisis, and a dangerous obsession with celebrity over substance.

The power of that message is evident in the polls: They tightened as the videos were released, and the traditional convention bounce has been slow to bounce Obama's way this week.

Obama's campaign hasn't exactly been silent as McCain's online machine churned out its videos. The Obama team, in fact, produced far more videos during the past month, and some of them have been equally good.

Obama has attacked McCain as a Washington insider, an economic ignoramus, an ally of the rich and powerful, and a yes man to President Bush. Obama has targeted narrowly focused issue ads at potential swing states. And his staff has fact-checked McCain's ads.

Like McCain, Obama also has been quick to pull the online video trigger for maximum impact. When McCain couldn't answer a reporter's question about how many homes he owns, Obama's team immediately released an ad titled "Seven" that pegs McCain as out of touch with the common man because he owns seven homes worth $13 million.

The ad closes with a picture of the White House and this message: "And here's one house America can't afford to let John McCain move into." A companion Obama Web video, meanwhile, asked Philadelphians on the street how many homes they would have to own before they lost track.

But McCain's online videos have packed more punch, created more buzz and forced the Obama campaign to play defense with counter-attacks. Even when Obama scored points after the flap over McCain's multiple homes, McCain quickly answered with an ad that turned the conversation to Obama's wealth and ethics.

And today, McCain took the high road, releasing an ad where he congratulates Obama for becoming the first black man nominated as a presidential candidate.

"Weirdly, McCain seems to have taken a lead in the rapid-delivery YouTube department," Instapundit Glenn Reynolds concluded after McCain released his "Remote Control" video. "I wouldn't have predicted that. The Obama stuff, meanwhile remains in this vein. It's well-produced and star-studded, but it's not hitting the key points."

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Myriad articles have come out recently both critiquing John McCain’s image and delivery, as well as reporting on GOP-insider calls for a new image—a better image—perhaps even a change thereof.  Of course, there is always merit in constructive criticism.  However, I think Republicans would do well to let McCain just be McCain for awhile.
 
Barack Obama is a strong speaker and will capitalize off his oratory advantage during the election.  McCain will most likely not fill a stadium the way Obama can with cheering underage non-voters and liberal sympathizers.  While many have lauded McCain’s mastery of town hall meetings, and welcomed his push joint venues with Obama, I still can’t shake the feeling that some Republicans want McCain to go at it Obama-style, or worse, their own.

Unfortunately, opinion polls and the electorate’s ratings show Republicans as deplorable, unfit for leadership, and out of sync with voters.  McCain has redeemed the GOP in many ways, and quite frankly, the Republican grassroots network saved itself by rising out of the Giuliani/Romney pitfall and picking a strong candidate, who happens to be a Republican.  Given the recent Republican record, hopefully independents and Reagan Democrats won’t hold that against him.
 
Why such a tone from a Republican?  Well, we lost power fair and square back in 2006—I’ll never forget watching a Senate debate on a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning amidst reports of rising energy prices coupled with a then-slightly-weakening dollar.  Let me be clear: I don’t want flags to be burned—but more importantly, I don’t want to lose elections and watch U.S. officials have high tea with Ahmadinejad.

Republicans in the House and Senate, governors, and even those down at the state and local levels would do well to follow the electorate’s cue— re-think your voting priorities, electoral strategies, find what works for you, and perhaps borrow something from the McCain handbook.  In the mean time, let’s give McCain some space.

This is a call for action.  What this site needs in addition to awesome thinkers, writers, graphic artists, philosophers, counselors, techies, activists and conservatives of all stripes, is a figure who has the experience and the time to provide real leadership.

                      The Next Right Needs An Executive Champion

At least one.  Maybe more than one, but right now one would certainly beat a poke in the eye.  

Who's a good candidate?  Who's got the conservative credibility, the executive leadership experience, the ability to herd these cats, inspire these cats and get these cats working on solid goals and objectives to move the GOP forward into the 21st Century?  I'm assuming that Jon, Soren and Patrick have day jobs and don't have the bandwidth to act in this behalf.  Let's compile a list and see who's available.  Here's my short list:

• Fred Thompson - Jon used to work for him.  Give 'im a call, Jon.  Tell him we'll do all the footwork, we just need his laserlike brain.
• Mitt Romney - everybody probably voted for him anyway, show him some love and ask him to come over to lead us.  This is a man who could conduct a strategic planning session in his sleep.
• Laura Ingraham - Soren's got a connection to Laura via Lee Habeeb.  She's one of the brightest women in the country, and has an amazing network of contacts.
• Peggy Noonan - Laura's got a connection to Peggy.  Peggy is the heart and soul behind the WSJ Opinion columns and so many of those wonderful Reagan speeches including "The Boys of Pointe du Hoc" that made me cry on my in to work today.  She's the living embodiment of an honest-to-God compassionate conservative.
• Rich Lowry - As  WFB's heir apparent all-around smart, nice guy and a Gen X'er, he's perfect for helping us innovate and attract younger voters.
• Rush Limbaugh - why not?  He is the general in charge of Operation Chaos, am I right or am I right?  The man's a force of nature unto himself. 
• Mike Huckabee - what's he doing these days?  You Huck's Army soldiers, get the word out and see if he's interested.

Once we tap into an executive champion for some guidance and inspiration, a framework from which to hang our own values and feedback (think:  from his/her readers and listeners!) to help us set goals and objectives, two things happen:

• We gain publicity and access to all media outlets including Fox News and talk radio
• We receive the kind of drive and motivation that can only come from having real, solid leadership that we actually admire

Ok that's my 2 cents.  Now it's your turn.  And please don't provide a critique,  let's have some ideas, please.  Thanky very much.