OK EGGHEADS. Homework assignment.

[txaslftist]

I'm preparing a campaign dossiere of talking points for a Democratic Candidate here in West Texas. I decided not to run myself, because this other fellow stepped forward, but I promised to help him put together his campaign.

The incumbent is Randy Naugebaur, the district is steeply red, and the largest city is Lubbock, Tx (second most conservative city in the nation). Republicans outnumber Democrats by about 60 to 30, with a conservative 10 independents between.

What I need is short, precise talking points that my candidate can use. Quotes would be great, as long as the people being quoted are undisputedly conservative (Ie- Ghandi no, Pat Buchanan yes, Ronald Reagan yes).

What I have in mind is "War without an exit strategy is dumb" -GWB; "A trillion dollar national debt is outrageous" -Ron Reagan.

The talking points need to be short, to the point, and simple (but not stupid). An emphasis on West Texas values would be appreciated, such as: "Spending money you don't have is NOT a West Texas value."

"Sending Naugebaur back to congress is like sending your kid to the mall with your credit card. He may bring back presents (pork), but you've still got to pay for them."

I'll be out of my office until tomorrow, please keep this page kicked so I can have something to present to him by tomorrow lunchtime.

Muchas Gracias.

[MissMarple]

1. Straight from the mouth of a Colorado Republican: I kid you not.

"The Republican Party in Larimer and throughout the state has "spent the last 20 years telling people the government is no good," Kaufman said. "I will never tell you that government is perfect. I will never tell you that government can't improve. But you have to have government. And the never-ending denigration of government is wrong."

http://www.denverpost.com/spencer/ci_3047660

Also, Peter G. Peterson in "Running On Empty" makes several cogent points about budgets and deficits. It is easy read. He was in the Reagan administration, and actually, he makes a lot of sense. He talks a bit about the concern of the founders re political parties, and how divisive and destructive to the republic they can be. How they devolve into partisan interest groups controlled by special interests. He also discusses the history of deficits, and how we avoided them until this century except for the Depression and for wartime. It makes Cheney's "deficits don't matter" sound treasonous.

[newswolf56]

2. Don't know your candidate's stance on the war or the Patriot Act,

but if the Right trashes him on these points (or on any other criticism of the Bush Administration), here's the perfect Barry Goldwater rejoinder:

"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

Hope this helps.

[txaslftist]

3. Thanks so far. Kicking.

[txaslftist]

4. Thanks so far. Kicking.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Shoot. I saw a whole list of those kinds of thing recently. Probably here

but maybe on TDS or common dreams. Let me look around.

[Wizard777]

6. KISS it, Keep It Simple Stupid. 60 to 30 is 2:1. That's less intimidating.

[txaslftist]

7. True, but to fit in the independents I have to go 6-1-3.

[txaslftist]

8. Thanks for the help and links. The meeting went very well.