Crafting a National Message

As we look forward to the 110th Congress, and the already over-reported 2008 Presidential season, it is important that we start thinking about a national message that WE define and can get behind as a simple guiding philosophy.

Some of the “candidates” are already moving in one direction or another with their public appearances. Obama, for instance, seems to be going toward a message of hope. Sounds like a good start. In the coming months others will follow with their take on a vision for America.

I think we all know that slogans are just that, and without something to back up those slogans all you end up with a bunch of empty talk and wasted paper. That’s why the first month of the 110th is going to be so important. The opening of the 110th will mark our first opportunity in 12 years to legislate from the majority. What happens during this first month will set the tone, both in how the two bodies of Congress will operate, defining how the media will cover us, and will somewhat define how the voters view our ability to lead.

First impressions are everything. For the past 6 years members of the media and our opponents have consistently defined us with little or no real resistance from our leaders. Blame this on whatever you like, we let them do it. We have to take charge of our image. In order to do this we have to come up with something that defines us as a whole without fracturing the party. I submit the following for your consideration:

Building a Stronger America
Restoring America
Working for American families

These all work for me, but as I stated above, slogans don’t mean much if you don’t have anything to back it up. It’s our job as citizens of this nation to hold our representatives in D.C. accountable. We need to stay on them like a cheap suit, and make sure that they are really doing their job; otherwise we can expect to find ourselves in the minority in 2008, swearing in President-elect Guiliani.

I say this, not to be a concern troll, but to highlight the reality of our current fragile majority. See, from my perspective, even though we waged an impressive national campaign this year, we benefited from the Republican Party’s internal strife. I won’t go so far as to say that we didn’t win as much as they lost, but I can see where some may feel that way. Additionally, freshman incumbents in the House will not have the luxury of experience, time, nor long term fundraising as they may in future years. It takes a long time to build that kind of political machine.

We need a real plan to keep this baby healthy. I don’t claim to know exactly how to do this, but I don’t see it happening on a national level right now and that worries me going forward. Hopefully, much of this anxiety will be calmed with the beginning of the next Congress, but until then, I won’t need a manicure, because I’m biting my nails to the quick.

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