Cross posted at my blog
GrassrootsGrowth.org
A call to action to every progressive blogger:
- Find one candidate (for any race, in 2006 or 2008, national, local, state) who you think could and should get nominated to run in the general election.
- Figure out how Republicans will attack that candidate.
- Build up a wall of defenses now.
- When challenging other Democrats, focus on issues only - don't do the work of the Republicans by definging our candidates as personally flawed or being otherwise "unelectable."
more below fold
Find one candidate who could get to the general election
Find someone who you not only support but who you also you think has a reasonable chance of making it to the general election. Look for local, state and national candidates. Choose one. You'll be focusing on this candidate until they win in either 2006 or 2008.
Figure out how Republicans will attack that candidate.
Know that it won't be attacks on the issues. It will be personal and involve simple labels (she's a liberal, etc.).
Build up a wall of defenses now.
Here's how:
- Create a blog network of support that (a) monitors and discredits the Republican blogger attack network that will be assembling against your candidate and that (b) establishes a netroots presence for your candidate.
- Expose any and all attack organizers against your candidate as extremists who should lack creditbility with the media and public.
- Provide a voice to counter any "fair and balanced" coverage, and use that voice to counter attacks using the same kind of "over the top" tactics of Republicans if needed. Let no charge go without being countered and discredited.
- Make it clear that your candidate has supporters based on positive reasons.
- Do any all things to project your candidate as "electable," "honest," "principled," "a person of the people," and "strong."
When challenging other Democrats, focus on issues only.
Every time we say that one of our own is weak, dishonest, unelectable, out of touch with the voters, etc. we add to the impression that Republicans want made about Democrats.
We don't have to agree on everything, but we should keep our attacks on Democrats to the issues, and leave personal attacks to the Republicans.
The fact is that one Democrat will make it to the general. Don't add baggage that the Republicans will exploit to that candidate.
Issues, yes. Personal attacks, no.
disclosure