...by taking down her minions. We can't do much to San Fran Nan here in the Heartland. Her constituency loves the fact that she is in a position to cram their values down our throats here a thousand miles away and is going to keep sending her back until they've remade us in their image.
So, we have to take her out. Of her position. And you do that by making her a member of the minority party. One seat at a time. Here in Kansas, we have only one Democrat in our federal congressional delegation. Long time reader Jim B is working to change that, by capturing Dennis Moore's seat, and moving it to the Republican column.
So, we have to take her out. Of her position. And you do that by making her a member of the minority party. One seat at a time. Here in Kansas, we have only one Democrat in our federal congressional delegation. Long time reader Jim B is working to change that, by capturing Dennis Moore's seat, and moving it to the Republican column.
We are within days of launching our first national candidate for Congress campaign. Can we win? We are underdogs. We are darkhorses. And yet we are winning support from surprising places. Places that prefer us to establishment Republicans.On the web at Veterans for a Strong America, www.v4asa.org
It is almost as if there is "divine intervention". Serious office holders and others across the country are supporting us. Our opponents are many in the Republican party. Yet some real heavy hitters are supporting us in the primary. I am really amazed.
Our candidate, Danny Gilyeat, is a veteran. He has national recognition. This is a true grass roots campaign. It is supported by former Marines to start with. It is staffed by former Marines.* But our candidate is inspirational. He lost a leg in Iraq. He overcame. He inspires others. He is selfless. That is his appeal. He gets standing ovations when he speaks.
Thank God. Our goal is to take back our country by ballot. We are now picking up our second candidate. He is also a Marine. We hope to pick up our third... he is not a veteran but he is conservative.
We hope to pick up support from some Army types in Fayettenam soon. Naturally we are not accepting active duty types. Former Military, and Retired, and conservative civilians.
The FEC rules are choking. We are overcoming. We have our intermediate objectives, working on tactics and in many cases flying under the radar for now.
Updates later. Failure is not an option. More details later.
For the Pelosi Poodles currently in office we have this advice.
Career.com
*[But spell-checked by retired Army, which makes sense when you think about it.]
The subject of interest is the total Executive and Legislative Branches of Our National Government, both sides equally. I'm not interested in parties, ideologies or talking points, just the facts. Since this imaginary "After Action Report" will only be handled by you, you are also the only person most likely to be harmed by any foolish games.
Well, Marine, what do you think of the mission? Personally, I feel like, I've found just the right person to do this mission, a smart, but stubborn Marine. Am I wrong?
I'm a NJ resident, Good Luck!
To Grumpy, thank you for your comments. I forwarded them to the directors of V4A and to Daniel.
He is the right man. I have never heard him complain about anything. He is far too busy building his campaign, and helping other people by visits to VA hospitals, speaking to organizations such as Wounded Warriors et al.
He started his march by making motivational speaches to those who needed help/
Before his decision, he prayed for guidance. His faith is strong. He has good people like you to provide guidance and help. His mission is clear. Failure is not an option.
Here is alink to Daniel's bio.
Granted, I'm a pointed headed intellectual type, though I do back breaking work for my daily bread, who hangs around Der Castle Bar with you guys, but it *is* a little off putting. At the end of the day I ask, what's relevant about being a Marine to being a good Senator? It is implied that because he's a Marine that he's somehow superior thereby. Maybe. Maybe not.
Remember, Palin was a polarizing figure even within conservative circles---and not just the blue blood big money types. Charles Johnson and his lizards weren't too happy. I was not impressed. I hope you've got a strategy that will not alienate chuckleheads like me which I think you'll need to get the seat once you're passed the primary.
I hope you guys have a contingency in case this aspect doesn't play well in some circles you'll need to win the man a seat at the table. Lord needs we could use some honest, straight talking men and women at in the 'Hallowed Halls'.(ANd, no, I don't think being a Marine/Serviceman makes one a straight talking and honest person. I know too many who aren't despite having served several enlistments to believe that is necessarily true. Plus, then there's Jim Webb.)
Good luck.
(loyal, but contrarian)= ry
To use a food analogy, you're telling me he's got pickled relish, mustard, diced onions, and shredded lettuce but nothing about why this hot dog will end my hunger better than another. That's disappointing.
What's he intend to do? So far all I see is 'nothing liberal!' Okay, fine. But there's got to be more than that.
You've got a couple of slogans(warrior heart, failure is not an option) but I'm not seeing a whole lot of substance yet. I don't want this to be a house of cards ala Palin, Jim. Really. Patton could've run the same story based on his injury from WW1, and I'd never vote him into congress. No freakin' way. Even if he was a fellow Californian.
Again, not trying to be offensive about it, but trying to get the 'well, what's he going to do for me' angle of this. Yeah, I'm an Indianan via California, but there's goofballs like me in Kansas. If you want to win votes from guys like me you need to be able to talk about issues more than providing inspirational stories. I don't vote on emotion, and I'm seeing a real heavy reliance on that in the two things you've provided.
I think if you want to win you've got to be able to do both. Don't go for the all things to all people crap, but don't try the facade approach that the McCain/Palin people did. It didn't work. I don't think it'll work. And I'd rather see a good man win because he was challenged from within instead of clubbed from without like we did with Palin.
Thanks for your thoughts. I am forwarding them to our team because I believe you are right, and you put those thoughts together very well.
In short I agree. We are working up the "Where's the Beef" content item by item.
We are working to polish this diamond in the rough. It's amazing how much work is involved in this thing. The blog is about 2 days old and lacks content. So is the web site. Soon we will be adding what his positions are, and what his priorities are, put them out for "criticism and review"
Soon we will have enough printed material to start " walking the district", and learning from the experience of face to face conversations. That is the best way I know for Danny to take the temperature of this group of people and the district. To walk the entire district will take 72 weeks. We cannot cover it all in time. But we know the numbers of voters in all parties. We know how many votes it will take in the primary (low voter turn out) and the general election (medium turn out). There are a few folks who are really helping us ... Dennis Moore ... Barak Obama. There is now a growing and vocal group who would vote against Moore no matter who runs against him. They would even vote for you!
There are a lot of people who hate the military and will vote against him no matter what. We do have the guidance and help of several seasoned local politicans. Our message will continue to develop and grow.
Again, thank you for your thoughts. They are valuable to us and help keep us balanced.
Semper Fi
JimB, you write about his prayer for guidance, strong faith, clear mission and failure not being an option. One question, Can God say, "No!" These are important, faith has a place and politics has a place, but not together. They are a volatile mix.
While some voters will be swayed by his compelling story, most will want to know "What's in it for me? What will he do that I want to see done in the disgusting mess that is Pelosi's House?
Recommend you dust of the old 1994 "Contract with America" and build around those points. Stick to a dozen key themes and be ready to admit "I don't know or have not decided" on other issues. (A favorite "gotcha" by the media and opponents." Rehearse and role play these points over and over with staff until you are comfortable with them and responding to tough political questions.
Better read up on the legislative process to understand the nuances of House organization and the process of getting a bill passed.
Being a great warrior is not the traditional route to elected office, so it will be a tough one.
But, I really think your point about "sending 'qualified' people to Congress has really gotten us into a mess" will resonate.
Get organized and break down the mission and assign tasks and delegate, delegate, delegate.
Contact the news media and get to know the reporters and the editorial boards now. They probably have been following the "usual suspects" for years and you need to convince them you are sincere and qualified and then ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
You may want to check out the strategy used by Jason Chaffetz from Utah who took out an incumbent Republican in 2008. Largely done with grassroots efforts and little money. You need to get dozens of small units with small unit leaders working out in the community to build up name recogntion, to ID likely voters, to convince them to vote for you, and then to follow up to ensure they vote. Early voting is good, but election day turnout can be critical as well. Work hard on voter registration to empower those who feel they do not have a voice and have not voted in the past. Let them know you care about them and want to provide OPPORTUNITIES, not FREEBIES, but they need to get involved. Get people assigned to work the senior circuit- they vote in great numbers and DEMs are experts at that, so you need to get access before the Dems show up to get Grandma at the nursing home to sign her absentee or early ballot. Maybe some older vets from the VFW can help with the geezer vote. Ditto the college or military community- find Young Republicans or Family support groups and work the registration and absentee ballot process with them. (Non-partisan with FSGs of course, but their natural affinity will be to vote for the vet.)
If you need to win a nomination within the party, get started now contacting the people involved in the party caucus or primary process so they know you and your name and story.
I wish you well, and think we need Congressmen like this. But getting there will not be easy. It will be essentially a full time job until November 2010.
Then if you win, the hard work starts.
I will be cheering for you, and cannot wait to see you kicking butt with an artificial leg!
True enough Grumpy. And yes the answer to any prayer can be NO. We are prepared for that. Danny's faith is very personal. He doesn't preach about it. It gives him inner strengh. Kinda like General Patton.
Good points all John. Thanks for the input. Rest assured I am copying this and sending it out to the team.
I hope to set up a coffee or breakfast or something in the near future before his life is no longer his own, so you can talk to him and get a read on him. Perhaps a Saturday. I believe we have gotten together a team to support him that is professional and competent. On the 11 of Aug I go back to work. That will cut down on my time. Later in August we are hosting a fund raiser in Missouri to help fund V4A and recruit other candidates for local elections.
Like Pinky and the Brain .... we are gonna take over the world. One guy or gal at a time.
Ah, sounds like a good guy. We really appreciate all the input we are getting here. It has raised conversations with the staff.
The think I cannot convey is the excitement of the standing ovations Danny receives when he speaks. The meat of his speeches is what he believes and what he stands for.
For whatever the kid has charisma. He also has national recognition.
We know that is not enough. Danny has been adopted by some current and former Kansas politicians, they are holding school with us weekly.
Did you ever examine a coin from another Nation? You can only look at one side at a time, many politicians try to inter-mangle these two values, many time the result is a law-breaking failure. The truth will find a way out.
By the way, the Rabbi's name was Jesus.
Jim, *THANK YOU*, for your service, if everybody will do what they can for the Nation, It'll be easier.
V/R - Grumpy