YOU: THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR

Ronald Reagan's 1976 is for many a forgotten footnote in the annals of history. Instead we should recognize its similarities to December 1773 aboard the cargo ship in Boston Harbor, followed by the tumult of 1775 and the Spirit of 1776.  Recall that when the War ended and the Constitution had been signed, many who had previously been in opposition to the Colonists eventually came to be governed by the new nation. We saw such consensus-building on the heels of defeat occur again following the Civil War, when the opponents again recognized the greater value in healing the nation and looking forward.

I have spoken earlier of the importance of adhering to our principles, even in periods of legislative loss, and continuing to convey those principles (and the solutions they undergird) in the most pro-active and broad-based manner possible.

Recall Reagan's smile...his charm...his wit. Reach back into your memory of the 1980 Presidential debate and hear Ronald Reagan chide Jimmy Carter to a knowing American audience, "There he goes again!"  America nodded in agreement all the way to the ballot box that year. Yet, Ronald Reagan never had to resort to banal name-calling, slander or lies against his enemies. No, President Reagan needed only to communicate to America why conservative principles, as intended by our Founders, could pull the nation out of deep recession, draw back the Iron Curtain, and restore Faith to families regardless of political affiliation.

When a conservative prevails in an election, he/she prevails because members of both major political parties, as well as a significant percentage of Independents have embraced his/her sincere message. As I mentioned in a previous segment, electoral victories are no longer won simply by garnering the votes of one party. Real solutions will affect partisans and non-partisans alike, just as real challenges (unemployment, loss of health care, crime) do not stop only at the doorsteps of Democrats or Republicans.

The United States of America was founded by God-fearing and spriritual individuals, committed not to anarchy but committed to balanced federalism, free markets, and strong national defense. More than two centuries later, a majority of Americans continue to adhere to these conservative principles and passionately shun losses of civil and fiscal liberty at the hand of bureaucratic legislatures and executives.  When you win your election, you represent not only your supporters but also those voters who had opposed you. We must be principled enough to boldly represent our entire electorate once the votes have been cast.

We must continue in our grassroots efforts and public campaigns for office to emphasize that we have the solutions that will deliver bi-partisan and non-partisan healing. Smile more, explain plainly, engender trust with your sincerity...and when you must draw distinction between your solid solutions and your opponents failed policies, do so with a wit and a knowing wink that would make President Reagan proud.

TODAY'S QUESTION: How can you improve your message to emphasize your principled, practical solutions in a manner that appeals broadly across party lines.