Medicare and PAC-sponsored PR

This post was going to be focused on improving Hillary's image, but as I was watching a PAC commercial about John Cornyn's "rejection of increasing medicare prescription costs", I thought this is exactly the type of pro-image commercial Democrats should run more often.

I will be the first to admit that we collect too much money for political campaigns. We overspend and saturate the market with commercials during campaigns - it is wasteful. We should be more methodical in our spending, pushing the agendas and improving images of those already elected.

In this case, of course, the PAC is asking you to call Cornyn's office to thank him for holding the line on Medicare prescription costs. Although the goal is to prevent Congress from cutting expenditures on Medicare. It comes across as a pro-Cornyn commercial for those who don't use Medicare.

As long as healthcare costs increase, America will have to pay more for Medicare. As long as doctors prescribe more medications, prescription costs (total costs of the Medicare program) will increase. I would be in favor of increasing the funding for, and increasing the coverage of Medicare to cover any American who is not covered by another insurance program. Medicare is, after all, government-funded healthcare.

Imagine a commercial that started with a clip of Hillary Clinton supporting Medicare, followed by a clip of John Cornyn supporting Medicare. "Thank you Hillary Clinton and John Cornyn for protecting America's healthcare." Wow, that would freak Republicans out.

Any time we have agreement with Republicans on a position, we should spin it as a favorable message towards the liberal agenda because in reality, most Americans want these benefits. A good example, is people lined up in Lubbock to get their flu shots. Most of them, I bet, were Republican voters. An example of government healthcare programs that work for all Americans.

Outrage

I watched Outrage tonight on HBO. There are some good keys to victory in that documentary.

Liberals don't politicize disgraced Republicans enough. The situations are embarrassing, they make good jokes, but that's about as far as they go.

Maybe its because to do so, would turn hate towards hate - and potentially inflaming it? I think it is worth the risk myself. It is not for the weak hearted. Here's how my ad would look:

Slow fade from black:

Republican Senator Larry Craig

Arrested for disorderly conduct in a public bathroom...

Fade in news report audio, "Republican Senator Larry Craig was arrested yesterday, pleading guilty to charges of disorderly conduct in a Minneapolis airport bathroom... " Fade out news report audio.

Crossfade (slow zoom to Mark Sanford's face):

Fade in news report audio, "Republican South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted today that he lied to his family and staff, and was secretly having an affair... His travel is being investigated by the State Ethics Commission, and lawmakers who've urged him to resign are considering whether to try to force him from office..." Fade out news report audio.

Crossfade:

Fade in news report audio, "Former Gov. Terry Branstad is contemplating running for office again... he is criticized by the Republican party for approving the introduction of state-sponsored gambling and legalization of same-sex marriage..." Fade out news report audio.

etc. This ad paid for by "Americans for an honest America"...

I'm sure there are several more good examples. This is a bit outrageous. (I am pro gambling and pro gay marriage.) But my point is - these are Republicans who do not portray "Republican values" which has long been an anchor of their popularism.

Forcing Republicans to push their party hard right will ultimately alienate the majority of Americans. This tussle, albeit for only several months, distracted Republicans from winning the Presidential election. It was fun while it lasted.

I had a thought somewhere during this article, that Hillary Clinton needs better PR. I'll save that topic for next time.

Copenhagen vs. Afghanistan and Economic Policy

A classic conservative trick is to throw a soft jab, followed by a hard right. Sometimes that combination is reversed, but the desired outcome is to throw the opponent off balance - to lure the opponent into defending an offensive move that does not need defending.

This week the soft jab was outrage over President Obama's trip to Copenhagen. Liberals (and the media) are so easily drawn into this cheap conflict that the real punch took Liberals by surprise - higher unemployment figures and the Afghan military options.

It is so easy to get into cheap arguments that conservatives laugh when we do. When has Obama gone to his ranch to clear brush and drink whiskey, while ignoring policy decisions? Hah. Your "president" is driving us further into debt, pushing socialist healthcare and making us look weak by debating military options.

The easiest way to take conservatives off balance, is to move right when they jab. I learned today that the President met with Gen. McChrystal while in Copenhagen. That was the right move, but it came up short.

People respect down-and-dirty workers not lovely jet-setters. The next time you meet a General, take a short outdoor trip, go fishing and get some photo ops. Work out your differences and make yourself real at the same time.

Presidential To-do List: You need to get yourself outside. Meet the families that need your policies to succeed. Do something that will make your liberal friends cringe (we can deal with it). The people of Maine would love to get you outdoors with a gun. Imagine the horror on the right when you show up with a shotgun in bright flannel, all bought from a local shop. While you're out there, make your military policy clear.

Learn more about US-Afghanistan policy at

http://kabul.usembassy.gov/