[Crossposted from www.hiramhover.typepad.com]
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman has issued his marching orders to College GOP'ers--Friday, April 29 is "College Social Security Rally Day."
Perhaps fearful about freelance efforts--remember those Philly College GOP'ers who chanted "hey-hey, ho-ho, Social Security has got to go!" in front of CNN's cameras?--the national office is helpfully providing talking points, sample press releases, and detailed instructions about how to hold events on your campus.
Now I suppose there's no reason the kiddies shouldn't get in on the staged act of lies, half-lies, and sheer idiocy that their elders have been dragging around the country under the name of "Town Hall" meetings.
But it's important that the media--especially the more gullible local media--report these events for what they are: namely, the junior-varsity version of the Bamboozlepalooza tour, scripted from DC to create the appearance of grassroots support for the President's plan among young voters.
Follow me to the flip for some ideas about how to make sure they do so.
First, just to make clear what they're up to:
The media will love these stories. Send out press releases advertising your events. This kind of earned media will go a long way in helping the President as he campaigns for reform.
For any college-affiliated kossacks inclined to do so, you might check out what your campus GOP'ers are planning (but be careful--don't provoke them!). Be prepared to expose the scripted nature of these events by printing out copies of the documents linked above, and posting them on campus or making them available to the media--including your student paper.
To do my electronic bit towards publicizing the same--and just for the sheer silliness of it--I'm posting here my favorite examples of suggestions for events "the media will love" :
Idea #1: The Buffet
The best way to appeal to a college student is through their stomach! Set up two buffet lines to highlight the difference between the Democrats' failure to act and President Bush's plan to reform Social Security.
- Buffet Line 1 - Make it clear that this line is the Democrats' version of Social Security. Serve cold oatmeal or cheap cans of cat food for $5.
- Buffet Line 2 - Make it clear that this buffet line is President Bush's vision for reformed Social Security. Give students a hot dog, bag of chips, and soda for only $3.
...
Idea #2: A Mattress You Can Trust
Did you know that stashing your money in a mattress is actually a better investment than paying into the current social security system!?! Use that fun fact to push for Social Security reform. Find an old mattress, be creative and spread the news around campus!
Somehow, I doubt stuffed mattresses and cat-food buffets will do much for the President's sinking plan. But if he's desperate enough to drag Tom DeLay around with him, he clearly needs all the help he can get.