I’ve been asked to speak with a group of large-dollar Republican donors in the coming weeks. These donors are long-time GOP backers but feel that they’ve been duped in recent cycles. An increasing number of them are saying their money has been wasted on inferior candidates with campaigns run by grifters. As they begin to look ahead to 2024 they want a plan to beat Joe Biden but are worried about a large, divided Republican field that could potentially waste a ton of money fighting Donald Trump. Here’s what I’m going to tell them:
Can you mention the fact if you are running for office in say Arizona a grassroots donor in Florida is not funding your campaign. Too many emails from Republicans are directed to junk email. Can’t afford you.
Narrow the field...focus on core values...restore the relationship between the states and the federal government with the latter responsible for what it was intended to be responsible for...rein in the bureaucracy by eliminating agencies if not departments...appoint sound conservatives to the judiciary...
I tend to look at national politics today as being another arm of marketed pop-culture and needing a strategy that attracts consumer groups. The Democrats already figured this out and it is why they are kicking GOP butt while the GOP should be in charge today given the clear mess created by Democrat leadership.
My problem with this advice is that it lacks that piece of the assessment. Sure the candidates need cash and it has also been proven that cash gets the job done. Just like I come up with a new canned beverage brand in the crowded canned beverage market, assuming my products are good enough, where if I have millions to spend on marketing I will capture a bunch of market share. However, if my products attract a niche and can go viral, I can escape the requirement for money advertising. Of course, if my products suck I can spend a lot for a market splash and then be killed by negative viral reaction. But it is amazing how spending on brand marketing in the media can overcome suckiness. Just look at Joe Biden!
Democrats are doing both today... their ownership-control of the MSM combined with their fund-raising infrastructure allow them to take beneficial platform issues viral. And they also rake in the funding to plaster the media with advertising... mostly negative branding of their opponents. But the way they do it is by targeting their messaging to the various political "consumer" groups.
The problem with the GOP is it is just a blob of non-targeted ideas... generally inadequately explained to a shallow-thinking electorate. Trump was the first GOP presidential candidate to target specific political consumer groups with his messaging... and his messaging was designed to be understood by the shallow-thinking electorate.
So, cut out Trump and fill the primaries with a cast of bit players lacking his connection with the working class and minorities, and I think we risk giving the political market share to the Democrats as they pander to each of the groups. I think the Democrats will even take back the working class in this case as they run the fake caring narrative of unionization, mandated wage hikes and more regulations to benefit employees over the evil corporations.
My advice to the big money donors is to put their money behind the candidate(s) they think can win. Maybe Trump has lost too much of his shine at this point. However, unless DeSantis or someone else steps into his appeal, the GOP is going to lose everything by only supporting and funding ideological purity.
Dr. Oz and Hershel Walker were just terrible candidates despite Trump backing. Remember that Trump devastated anti-Trumpers in the primaries. I think the narrative that Trump is behind us is only valid if someone else steps in to fill that same bucket.
I agree 100%--fewer candidates and force King Midas to spend his own treasure. Maybe he will be squeezed right on out of the picture. I do so hope some other really great candidate will rise to the top of the list and folks will rally around him or her.
I truly hope they listen. We ended up with Trump last time because the field was so crowded. If they want to avoid that again, starve him of cash to run. Pick two at most each and donate to them. However, those who run must also realize that if they themselves hang on until the bitter end, they enable Trump or a Trump-like candidate to do better than he or she otherwise would. Those who run also need to realize they must bow out AND throw their support to someone so their supporters don't stay home as recalcitrant.
Can you mention the fact if you are running for office in say Arizona a grassroots donor in Florida is not funding your campaign. Too many emails from Republicans are directed to junk email. Can’t afford you.
Narrow the field...focus on core values...restore the relationship between the states and the federal government with the latter responsible for what it was intended to be responsible for...rein in the bureaucracy by eliminating agencies if not departments...appoint sound conservatives to the judiciary...
I tend to look at national politics today as being another arm of marketed pop-culture and needing a strategy that attracts consumer groups. The Democrats already figured this out and it is why they are kicking GOP butt while the GOP should be in charge today given the clear mess created by Democrat leadership.
My problem with this advice is that it lacks that piece of the assessment. Sure the candidates need cash and it has also been proven that cash gets the job done. Just like I come up with a new canned beverage brand in the crowded canned beverage market, assuming my products are good enough, where if I have millions to spend on marketing I will capture a bunch of market share. However, if my products attract a niche and can go viral, I can escape the requirement for money advertising. Of course, if my products suck I can spend a lot for a market splash and then be killed by negative viral reaction. But it is amazing how spending on brand marketing in the media can overcome suckiness. Just look at Joe Biden!
Democrats are doing both today... their ownership-control of the MSM combined with their fund-raising infrastructure allow them to take beneficial platform issues viral. And they also rake in the funding to plaster the media with advertising... mostly negative branding of their opponents. But the way they do it is by targeting their messaging to the various political "consumer" groups.
The problem with the GOP is it is just a blob of non-targeted ideas... generally inadequately explained to a shallow-thinking electorate. Trump was the first GOP presidential candidate to target specific political consumer groups with his messaging... and his messaging was designed to be understood by the shallow-thinking electorate.
So, cut out Trump and fill the primaries with a cast of bit players lacking his connection with the working class and minorities, and I think we risk giving the political market share to the Democrats as they pander to each of the groups. I think the Democrats will even take back the working class in this case as they run the fake caring narrative of unionization, mandated wage hikes and more regulations to benefit employees over the evil corporations.
My advice to the big money donors is to put their money behind the candidate(s) they think can win. Maybe Trump has lost too much of his shine at this point. However, unless DeSantis or someone else steps into his appeal, the GOP is going to lose everything by only supporting and funding ideological purity.
Dr. Oz and Hershel Walker were just terrible candidates despite Trump backing. Remember that Trump devastated anti-Trumpers in the primaries. I think the narrative that Trump is behind us is only valid if someone else steps in to fill that same bucket.
I agree 100%--fewer candidates and force King Midas to spend his own treasure. Maybe he will be squeezed right on out of the picture. I do so hope some other really great candidate will rise to the top of the list and folks will rally around him or her.
I truly hope they listen. We ended up with Trump last time because the field was so crowded. If they want to avoid that again, starve him of cash to run. Pick two at most each and donate to them. However, those who run must also realize that if they themselves hang on until the bitter end, they enable Trump or a Trump-like candidate to do better than he or she otherwise would. Those who run also need to realize they must bow out AND throw their support to someone so their supporters don't stay home as recalcitrant.
There money was wasted