by Thomas Craig

Last night was a perfect example of how far the Democrats have come regarding their marketing to the People and how dismal a job Republicans are doing.  First let's address the President's speech.  The President made a strategically excellent move last night.  With all the noise in the media coming from all directions and confidence in our markets and our economy hitting a new low, the President came out with an inspiring, ambitious, optimistic and vague blueprint for this Nation.  Well done, sir!  Visually the President had the advantage which all President's have by standing at the podium back dropped with the American Flag in a historical room filled with applause from both sides.  The image alone always inspires Americans and instills a sense of leadership.  He outlined ambitious goals such as healthcare and education reform, as well as cutting the deficit in half.  Based on his speech, it seems that his only details in regards to how to accomplish all of this is to remove the Bush tax cuts.  Any reduction of spending in Iraq is just being offset by the increase of spending in Afghanistan.  His goal last night, however, was not to offer details- it was to inspire Americans to support him, which it did.  He told Americans what they wanted to hear from pulling out of Iraq to curing cancer.  Americans as a whole don't want details, they just want to know that everything is going to get better and that is what he told them last night.

Gov. Jindal on the otherhand is another story.  In the words of Frank Luntz, "it's not what you say, it's what they hear" (and also see).  Visually I saw a backdrop of a bland hallway with a sprial staircase, not exactly something every American has.  On the two far edges of the screen were slivers of the American and Louisiana Flag.  Only a sliver showed because they were too far out to be fully in the frame.  Gov. Jindal came out from around the corner as if he were hiding in the shadows and awkwardly walked to his mark.  He seemed a bit slouched over and nervous as he approached.  Without a moments hesitation, he began his speech which seemed poorly rehearsed, amateurish, and anything but genuine.  His anecdotes were poorly delivered and the tone and overall syntax were dismal at best.  I felt like I was in kindergarten and my teacher was telling me about the Little Engine that Could.  It was a terrible response and it made the hill which Gov. Jindal plans to climb to run for President that much steeper.  (I have posted the speech on the Video page for you to see what I mean.)

My suggestions to Gov. Jindal would have been this.  Move the setting to someplace much more public.  Make sure the American Flag is in full view in the background and well lit.  Behind you (but not too far back), have families standing and filling out the frame of your shot.  Acknowledge one or two examples of small business owners or heroes of Hurricane Katrina who are standing with you (such as the sheriff he spoke of).  When you enter, enter from the rear and give yourself time to move through the crowd, acknowledging and shaking hands with the families; say hello to their children.  Approach your mark with your head up high and your chest out.  When you hit your mark, don't immediately speak- instead give a smile to the camera and let the viewers take you in for a moment.  When you begin speaking, speak slowly and confidently.  Don't just rush out the words, take your time to effectively get your message across.  Don't speak to the viewers as if you're giving a high school oral exam, instead speak to us as if you were speaking to three of your closest friends.  This should help relax you.  Remember, your message is just and genuine and you have a lot of supporters out there but the truth is that what we see and hear is just as important as what you say.

While we all have been distracted by the small matter of the economy and the generational theft bill being signed by President Obama today, I thought it would be fun to point out a couple of other matters our Congress has been discussing.  Two bills in particular caught my attention.  The first bill is yet another attempt to undermine the 2nd Amendment and continue the process of peeling away our individual rights.  The good Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) sponsored this bill.  We will be discussing gun rights in a future post, but for now I just wanted us to all consider what the Democrats are doing while we are distracted.  The other example of beneficial politics I wish you to consider is the tiny bit of legislation proposed by Rep. Jose Serrano.  His proposal is to repeal the 22nd Amendment, thereby removing term limits for the Office of President.  That's right.  Rep. Serrano feels that we should open the way for a permanent President.  You can view both bills on our Cogitation page.  We will continue to monitor them.

Distract the People.  Dangle impossible promises, rob them and their children by burying them under an unbelievable debt, and woo them with collectible plates, honorary coins, and colorful t-shirts... all the while you carefully strip away their individual freedoms as they smile and thank you for it.  Americans need to snap out of it before they wake up one day and can no longer remember the Democratic Republic which was once the United States of America.

by: Thomas Craig

Bipartisanship seems to be the word of the day lately.  Sure, Americans all say they want a "bipartisan" government, yet the meaning of the word seems to have lost its meaning.  Under President Obama's administration, bipartisanship seems to mean that we all come together and do what the Democrats want.  I'm not one of those people who complain that the President didn't try and involve the GOP on the stimulus.  He in fact did make an effort.  The problem is that he underestimated the resolve of our Party.  Republicans get it now.  We understand that the last eight years marked a sharp turn away from our core principles.  We grew government, we expanded it's power, and we increased borrowing and spending.  We did this and we suffered the consequences.  Unfortunetly for the Democrats, we did in fact learn this lesson and we aren't going to go back to bad habits.  That is why (all but 3) Republicans voted against this Bill.  If by being bipartisan, the President wants our Party to enter into talks with an open mind and be willing to negotiate, that is fine but that is not what is happening.  Thankfully, Obama is at the least willing to listen to Republicans, which is more than I can say for the closed door policies of Pelosi and Reid.  One last note on this... the only thing worse than a government torn apart by partisan politics is a government ruled by one Party and one thought.  I wouldn't want our government to be 100% Democrat just like I wouldn't want it to be 100% Republican.  It is difference of opinion and different ways to solve our problems which make America great.  Don't believe me?  Ask the Cuban people how one Party rule is working out for them.