November 21, 2006
 Now that the proverbial "dust has settled" a bit since 11/7, several "blame camps" have assembled. One camp blames the Iraq war. Another camp says "out of control spending!". And there's the Illegal Immigration camp (one that I find myself visiting at times).   And then there are those poor, confused individuals who contend that there should be no finger pointing. There are just some uncontrollable, negative, (and invisible!) forces at work, sabotaging the Republican efforts.  You can't really isolate the exact problem and you shouldn't try! 
 
And then there is my camp. I find myself mostly alone sitting around my little camp fire. Because you see, in my camp I do "blame". I point my finger at specific individuals. Its Finger Pointing Time!  Most consider that unpleasant and don't want to partake in this necessary duty of individual evaluation. Why is it that it is acceptable and common to fire a losing sports coach?  This coach was responsible for planning and implementing a winning strategy/game plan. But if that strategy yields a pattern of loss, then the team owner must fire the coach.  Even if he/she may be fond of that coach. This happens all the time in the sports arena's.  But not in the Republican political arena.  We simply blame the players on the field (Congressmen and Senators). They're easy targets.  Everyone loves to throw rotten vegetables at politicians.  Even me. Especially me. But during this very rare, remarkable and historic time that would be a cowardly action.  Just like a crowd booing a football team out on some cold, muddy  field. The team is given the plays by the coach, executed the plays well given their all and then, of course, reaped losing results because of the poor play calling by the coach. . Not the teams fault!  Not that the team members are a bunch of blameless little angels, either. But in the end the coaches must be held responsible.  Likewise, those influential folks that are planning and implementing strategies within and for the Republican Party - well - they must go.  And soon. Not in January but now!  Those at the top  of the heap, Mr. Rove and Mr. Mehlman, should have already resigned.  The longer they wait the more its going to hurt them personally, long term.   Many coaches fail miserably with a particular team and are released. They take some time, soul search and come back to win a championship.  Mr.'s Rove and Mehlman are both brilliant men and they'll be back. But now is not their time.  Gentlemen - do the right thing. Resign.

But my camp is not only about Finger Pointing. I do have some suggestions.  Most of the suggestions I hear or read about remind me of mowing weeds. You mow them - they grow right back.  We've been mowing weeds too long in the GOP.  We need to get to the core/root of the problem.  My strategy would  be simple.  Attack!  Attack with a Double Column advance, envelop and annihilate! Politically speaking, of course.  Column 1: would be a very well financed, George Soros style propaganda machine.  Only difference is, instead of propaganda we would use truth and facts. Of which we have an abundance on our side. The dem's have almost zero. And I know the American voter would respond  to this positive information campaign. Only problem is trying to find the financiers. Even though there is a lot of "monied" folks in the GOP, they seem to be stingy with their money. Well to those I ask you, "how do you like your Constitution? As a Living Document that can mean anything?"  And, "wouldn't you like to see Hillary signing off on the Kyoto Treaty? And then watch our economy tank? Your investments go south?  Because in this country our Main Stream Media would make sure that we did abide by every line of Kyoto."  And I could go on and on with other nightmare scenarios.  Hope you get my point.
Column 2: We've made some progress  over the last few years in trying to curb voter fraud. Not much progress but some - ie: picture id's, etc.  We must hold that ground.  We need to pressure the politicians [that we have left] and use the courts to make certain that we do not digress on this front.  Its always been my belief that if we were magically able to deduct all the dead vote, all of the non-U.S. citizen vote and all of the convicted felon vote, we (the GOP) would have seen, in our elections, much wider winning margins over the last several  decades. Again, we must not lose the precious ground that we have gained.  And we had best not be deluded. The dem's have that reversal first on their list of "things to do".
DD
http://streetlevel.townhall.com

Saturday, 11/11/06, Veterans Day 
I catch myself being optimistic over the last few days. I scold myself for it. But, like the unwanted pop-up on my computer screen, there it is again popping up in my brain trying to sell me. I'd rather be sullen and pessimistic after Tuesday's blood bath. But I'm sold. I'm buying off on this "optimism".  Here's a few reasons.
First. Thank Heaven that this happened now instead of 2008. It gives us an opportunity to clean our own dysfunctional house. Problem being - 2 years is so little time for such a monumental task. But it can be done. It must be done.  Or we might just as well get ready for 8 years of President Clinton II. Do the math. Thats until year 2016!   
Also, I keep watching those Dem's.  They seem to interpret the election outcome as some kind of a voter mandate to move the nation back to left of center. I believe this to be their tragic flaw.  We can only hope that they will continue in this thinking. Its my belief that they are very wrong. I'm in the camp of those who believe that we lost this one because too many in our own base Stayed at Home and not that the Dem's turned out that many more voters. 
Finally. Over the next year or so we will watch the Republican Cream rise to the top.  What will we see? How will we recognize them?  I can tell you what they are doing right now. They have snuggled up this weekend with a very interesting How-To book. Its called the "Democratic Play Book". And in particular the chapter on "Obstructing and Blocking for Dummy's".  These valiant Republican Women and Men will spend the next 2 years Obstructing/Blocking every shred of bad legislation that is being pushed forward by the Dem's, the Rino's and even our President.  And they will do this at a cost. They will put their own careers and reputations in extreme peril.  But, because they are true Patriots, they will charge on into the withering barrage.  So watch for them. And one more thing - once surfaced they will need our unwavering support.
So I am optimistic. But it is a Cautious Optimism. Our most daunting task is that of getting our own Republican party back on track.  And that starts by taking a long hard look at our Republican leaders.  Of course that starts with the President. He's elected and has 2 years left.  Not much can be done there. So lets go on to Ken Mehlman and Karl Rove. I am disappointed in both of these gentlemen. They should have already resigned. They must own up to their responsibility now. Not in January. Now! For the sake of our Grand Old Party. Gentlemen Please! Do the right thing and resign.  My advice to both of you - go out and get a job for a few years. In a border state and a big city. Commute to work every day. No limo's. No gated communities.  Work and live among the people.  Your both brilliant men. We need you!  But you've err'd.  You need to take a "time out".  Come back in a few years when you're more in touch with reality. And Michael Steele to run the RNC? No! He's a moderate. Would've been a great Senator for Maryland, though. But not what we need at this point in time. We need a fire breather. An eater of raw meat. Someone who understands the difference between "winning" and "trying not to lose". Maybe a former winning coach?
I'd like to return to President Bush.  We have much to thank the President for. No attacks in 5 years. A fabulous economy. Super Judges on the Supreme and lower courts. I, for one, am grateful. But most of all I want to thank him for proving, without a doubt, that the "New Tone" method of doing business will not work at the Federal Level.  No!  D.C. = nothing like Austin. Bob Bullock does not resemble Harry Reid in any way. That is a very important lesson for us to have learned. No one could have tried harder than our President Bush. He has demonstrated to us that it is not wise to bring a knife to a gun fight.  We owe him our thanks. And many showed their gratitude last Tuesday even though there wasn't much enthusiasm.  But it was our duty and a vote of confidence for "W" even though we were very disappointed with other aspects of his performance. 
And a short aside here. To those former Republican voters who chose to Stay Home, or vote for a Dem or throw their vote away on some ridiculous 3rd part candidate. There a some folks who want to thank you. UBL wants to thank you! Ayman al-Zawahiri wants to thank you! Hassan Nasrallah would give you a big bear hug if he could! Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore want to send you a Hallmark Thank You card! And above all San Fran Nan Pelosi is so grateful to you for her new plush office and private wash room.  Way to Go Folks! You really showed us didn't you! You focused on your own little self interests issues and ignored the wide panoramic view.  I would hope that you're feeling a little embarrassed and ashamed. You ought to.  To those  I say - we need you, too. The 2008 election is a looming terror before us. We're going to need an army of right thinking troopers to win a victory.  I just ask you to take a little break from politics and do some soul searching. Get back to the basics.
So how do we wrest control away from the RNC power brokers?  There's only one way. Stop sending money. Immediately.  To any kind of Republican or GOP organization that does not conform. Dry them up. Instead send them protest letters (or you can print and send this piece). We need to see some action. Significant changes now! There's no time to dilly-dally around.  The clock is ticking.  Remember that 2008 is looming like Godzilla.  This Godzilla monster has the face of Hillary. Ha!  This is no laughing matter, however.  We're about to lose our Constitution if we don't form a united, conservative battle front.
DD                        http://streetlevel.townhall.com

11/8/06, 12:01am 
The blame must rest squarely on the shoulders of President Bush as head of the Republican Party. But those formulating GOP strategy also deserve severe criticism. We can't blame the Dem's. They probed, found a weakness and exploited it to the max. They're masters at that.  Maybe not masters but they are willing to do it.  Our side feels they're too good for these tactics but instead opts for the higher ground of "the new tone".  Marquis of Queensbury rules. Which is no high ground at all. We deceive ourselves.  Our opponents fight dirty. But do we have an effective strategy against them?  We have what I call a "quarter strategy".  Twenty-five percent. Like a V-8 engine firing on 2 cylinders. Its allowed very minimal victories over the last dozen years (when decisive victories were within our reach). Nail biters. Extreme stress for republican voters/supporters. To the extent that many are washed out zombies that have simply had to turn away.  This is one category of GOP voters that did not show up at the poles today.  Because our strategy was not a strategy to "win" but one of "trying not to lose".

Another category of GOP voters that did not show up today are those that have been insulted.  Directly insulted by President Bush. To the extreme. His continued neglect and lack of concern over the severe problem of illegal immigration.  A huge blunder by the President was to insinuate or imply that the Minutemen were vigilantes. A huge blunder! This comment and the continued use of the phrase (regarding illegals) "they're all just good people coming up here trying to feed their families" was like throwing gasoline on a fire.  His vow that we "would not militarize the southern border" when we all know that is exactly what is needed. Also, his comments just a few months before the election kicking off Hispanic Heritage month when he "celebrated" the recent street demonstrations by illegals waving Mexican flags. As if it were a good and positive event! This simply infuriated his once solid base of supporters.  Exasperated them.

Lets look at this "once solid base".  These are the folks that were on fire for "W" during the 2000/2004 elections.  Remember when the Bush Campaign boasted of their small dollar contributors? Those that gave $50. and less? Individual donors gave huge amounts to the Bush Campaign in 00 and 04.  This was the Presidents solid/dense base.  They had a right to boast. It was a beautiful thing. I liken it to a large titanium ball.  Solid. Dense.  And Magnetic!  It attracted fence sitters and other undecided's. Pulled them in.  That once solid base is now very porous and brittle.  Why? Because they have been ignored and insulted by the President. You just do not treat your most loyal supporters with that kind of disrespect.  Its political suicide!

The irony is that I don't believe the President is even aware of what he has done to his base. I believe he is not getting the best advice.  And I believe that those limp wristed wimps  in his periphery are too timid to get nose to nose with him. 

So whats next. Well 2008 is just around the corner. The GOP must confront its shortfalls head on and begin to construct a "full" strategy. Someone other than a democrat needs to confront the President.  One of our own.  If he can't be turned from this wrong headed stance regarding the southern border then he must be viewed as the opposition.   That is if we care about 2008.  Because republican voters will start contemplating that if the President is so wrong headed about the illegal issue maybe he could be wrong about the war, too.  And how would they come to that conclusion? Look at the Taliban funeral debacle where we had an opportunity to take out almost 200 terrorists with one of our drones.  But some PC general nixed it. Nothing was ever done. Not a word from our President.  What I'm saying here is the whole process could (and probably will) come unraveled for the President.  I think a good first step, at this time,  would be to get that 700 mile fence funded asap. And it wouldn't hurt to apologize to the Minutemen.

Let me make a few things clear. I'm not a member of the Minutemen org but I admire what they do and they are not vigilantes. Secondly, I waited until 11/8 to begin my criticism of the President. And 3rd,  I did cast a vote this election - straight Republican ticket.  It was not pleasant but I did my duty.  But I know many that just Stayed at Home.  We have 2 years to get them enthusiastic again.  Lets get to work. DD