"But I never thought it was my style or the words I used...It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation - from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries. They called it the Reagan revolution. Well, I'll accept that, but for me it always seemed more like the great rediscovery...of our values and our common sense..."
- Ronald Reagan: Farewell Address, Oval Office, January 11, 1989
Values and common sense are not partisan themes, but instead represent intergenerational principles that nearly all Americans hold as self-evident. Recent elections have produced victories that transcended party affiliation and polling. New Jersey's Chris Christie, Virginia's Bob McDonnell, and Massachusett's Scott Brown succeeded in communicating American values and common sense in a manner easily understood and rewarded by their respective electorates. Florida's Marco Rubio and Michigan's Mike Cox are likewise engaging in constructive, solution-oriented campaigns in 2010.
Each of these leaders has well understood that burdensome issues met with well-reasoned solutions may be communicated without partisan rancor so that a greater percentage of family men and women can intelligently discern and decide whom to elect as a leader.
As leaders and advisors of leaders, we must spend less time doling out red meat speeches to our loyal perennial base, and devote more of our time listening to, researching, and developing comprehensive solutions to challenges facing Independents and those outside of our traditional party tent. If we fail to constructively address a broader range of concerns than those that have served as solid sound bites, then we will find the 2010 election cycle underwhelming.
Not every issue must be met with "us-versus-them" rhetoric. As leaders we must be willing to identify issues that are currently garnering support for our opponents and develop competitive, cost-effective and realistic solutions that provide real choices to attract Independent voters whose loyalties are to values and common sense...not to elephants and donkeys. Or you cleave to base-pleasing positions largely ignored by Independents and lose the increasingly Independent electorate to an opponent willing to provide those solutions.
Principles of values and common sense must always undergird our policies, but the needs of our electorate and of our nation at large must always guide the comprehensive solutions that spring forth from our policies.
TODAY'S QUESTION: Will you be leading a diverse electorate to victory and real family-focused solutions in that "shining city upon a hill", or will you be simply preaching to the choir in sound bites?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTER
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." - Ronald Reagan
"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life." -Ronald Reagan
One cannot deny that Ronald Reagan exemplified consistent adherence to conservative principles, among them free enterprise, states' rights, and democracy. President Reagan's consistent opposition to the insidious influences of socialism & communism domestically and abroad served to protect and project the nation's strength at home and infiltrated even the Iron Curtain.
Reagan also knew how to accomplish his objectives (strengthening our military) or to rein in and recast other's objectives (the 1983 Social Security Act with then-House Speaker Tip O'Neal) without compromising core principles, attacking an opponent's character, or being perceived by others as a man of narrow extremism. Those who didn't agree with his policy objectives could often still share a laugh or a frosty beverage with the congenial "Great Communicator."
Our 40th President knew that regardless of the policy and principled differences that he and others might have shared, his perpetual optimism and belief in the strength and character of America, Americans and American Free Enterprise would not allow him to devolve into petty partisan bickering. If he disagreed with someone, he said so openly and often with a smile.
Ronald Reagan could also acknowledge that Americans had more in common than what might separate them. Other than lunatic extremists and malcontents, a large majority of Americans love God, love their families, love freedom, embrace economic enterprise and are willing to join together and fight (and die, if necessary) to protect all four pillars. While standing up for his principles with character, Reagan focused his attention upon building a stronger America and world that would draw diverse people together instead of focusing upon meaningless differences that would drive neighbors apart.
Look around you...if you're a candidate, are you willing to faithfully represent and serve ALL the citizens of your district upon being elected --including those citizens who openly opposed you? Now THAT demonstrates your character. If you are a supporter of a candidate or a ballot measure, are you willing to engage in peaceful and respectful two-way (listening & speaking) dialogue with opponents of your candidate or ballot measure? THAT demonstrates your character.
Don't compromise your principles, but also don't forget how to be a neighbor, an American. Yelling, besmirching character, negatively stereotyping, and mischaracterizing positions with broad slogans may fan the flames of the already faithful, but will do NOTHING to win the hearts and minds (and votes) of the ever critical Independent voters. 50.1% looks a whole lot different than 49.9% the morning after Election Day.
TODAY'S QUESTION: In the hours that follow the closing of the polls, will you be receiving or will you be making the concessionary and congratulatory phone call? [Your connection with Independents will determine the outcome.]
"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life." -Ronald Reagan
One cannot deny that Ronald Reagan exemplified consistent adherence to conservative principles, among them free enterprise, states' rights, and democracy. President Reagan's consistent opposition to the insidious influences of socialism & communism domestically and abroad served to protect and project the nation's strength at home and infiltrated even the Iron Curtain.
Reagan also knew how to accomplish his objectives (strengthening our military) or to rein in and recast other's objectives (the 1983 Social Security Act with then-House Speaker Tip O'Neal) without compromising core principles, attacking an opponent's character, or being perceived by others as a man of narrow extremism. Those who didn't agree with his policy objectives could often still share a laugh or a frosty beverage with the congenial "Great Communicator."
Our 40th President knew that regardless of the policy and principled differences that he and others might have shared, his perpetual optimism and belief in the strength and character of America, Americans and American Free Enterprise would not allow him to devolve into petty partisan bickering. If he disagreed with someone, he said so openly and often with a smile.
Ronald Reagan could also acknowledge that Americans had more in common than what might separate them. Other than lunatic extremists and malcontents, a large majority of Americans love God, love their families, love freedom, embrace economic enterprise and are willing to join together and fight (and die, if necessary) to protect all four pillars. While standing up for his principles with character, Reagan focused his attention upon building a stronger America and world that would draw diverse people together instead of focusing upon meaningless differences that would drive neighbors apart.
Look around you...if you're a candidate, are you willing to faithfully represent and serve ALL the citizens of your district upon being elected --including those citizens who openly opposed you? Now THAT demonstrates your character. If you are a supporter of a candidate or a ballot measure, are you willing to engage in peaceful and respectful two-way (listening & speaking) dialogue with opponents of your candidate or ballot measure? THAT demonstrates your character.
Don't compromise your principles, but also don't forget how to be a neighbor, an American. Yelling, besmirching character, negatively stereotyping, and mischaracterizing positions with broad slogans may fan the flames of the already faithful, but will do NOTHING to win the hearts and minds (and votes) of the ever critical Independent voters. 50.1% looks a whole lot different than 49.9% the morning after Election Day.
TODAY'S QUESTION: In the hours that follow the closing of the polls, will you be receiving or will you be making the concessionary and congratulatory phone call? [Your connection with Independents will determine the outcome.]
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