All politics is local.
Former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill coined this phrase which encapsulates the principle that a politician's success is directly tied to his ability to understand and influence the issues of his constituents.
That's what makes the radio ad you're about to hear that much more important for us to support.Transcript and discussion follows --
Except maybe for tobacco hardly anything in Kentucky is more local than mining. I'm just guessing, but I'll bet that news coverage of the rescue in Chile received extraordinary ratings in Kentucky households. But the message's quick reference to Chile was just kind of a hook. Throughout this brief message I was struck deeply by the power and Churchillian simplicity of the language employed. Reading the message is as moving as listening to it. Here's a transcript:
Narrator (somewhat grizzled male voice with authentic Kentucky twang): Kentucky miners have always known what Chile taught the the whole world this week, that four miles deep in a mountain, it's not every man for himself -- but teamwork that ensures our miners come home safe every day. Because mine safety is everyone's business -- miners, companies, and government. But Rand Paul's position on mine safety?"
Rand Paul: Sometimes accidents happen.
Narrator: That's what Rand said after Kentucky miners were killed by the negligence of an out-of-state company. During the Gulf Spill, what did Rand Paul say?"
Rand Paul: Accidents happen.
Narrator: Maybe Rand Paul doesn't understand because he's never been down four miles inside a mine.
Narrator: But Kentucky native, Jack Conway, does understand. He knows miners four miles deep in a mine aren't made safer by a survival of the fittest mentality but by Kentucky teamwork. On November 2nd, vote for Kentucky's miners. Vote for Jack Conway.
Consider these aspects of how this bit of prose is put together:
It is almost entirely words of one syllable.
The few three syllable words are all powerfully thematic --
Kentucky
everyone
companies
government
business (really 2 syllables as widely pronounced in Kentucky)
position
accidents
negligence
understand
survival
mentality
"Accidents" is repeated twice both times by Rand Paul to emphasize the message's issue of mine safety and miner survival
"Understand" is repeated twice to distinguish the fundamental theme of the ad, that Jack Conway gets it and Rand Paul doesn't.
"Jack Conway" is repeated twice and comprise the final two words of the message.
There are other, equally strong thematic thrusts:
teamwork
safety
mine safety (twice)
miners (five times!)
killed
Within 10 seconds after listening to this ad, I was hitting my ActBlue account for the 2nd time today (the front page made me do it) to plop down $25, enough, they say, to play this one time on the radio. Actually, $20 will do that, as will 2 $10's or, well, you get it. Tonight we'll nosh on something from the freezer instead of going out for Chinese. Even Steven as my late mother might have said.
This off-year election, like no other I ever worked in or followed closely (1964 - present) requires those who can to support the most effective and efficient responses to the insanities and inanities of the opposition, massing secret political slush funds from plutocrats who think of working folks as fungible, disposable goods.
I don't live in Kentucky. I've hardly ever been there but once found it beautiful to drive through in places. But I know a stinker when I see one and I can see Rand Paul from my house. So, I've taken to writing diaries every time I find I can give Jack Conway a little more fiscal love. He's become my #1 out of state project.
This ad is a great way to support Jack Conway's wonderful campaign in a way that is quintessentially local. Folks in Kentucky who aren't miners are either related to miners, have friends who are miners, know miners at church, and so on.
This radio add speaks to Kentucky working people with simple and elegant effectiveness. Working folks listen to the radio at work if they can or driving to and from jobs. It deserves the support of anyone who can still give this election cycle. The ad forcefully demonstrates the bankruptcy of Libertarian thinking and its devastating influence on working men and women.
The responses to my previous KY-Sen diaries suggest that nearly a fifth of Kossacks might still have money to find a few coins to send the way of this interesting little PAC, Americans for America. Kossacks who can't give? Bless you and see you next time. Those who can, must.