Courage of Conviction

You’ve got to give Russ Diamond credit - He’s made it a possibility that more judges will be non-retained on election day.  Russ is a great example of what entrepreneurism is all about.  How you ask?  Think about what an entrepreneur does - takes an idea that others think is impossible and finds a way to make it reality. 

What Russ is doing is a great lesson in marketing as well.  Having taken on and beaten incumbents before, I can say that the most important thing for an underdog candidate to do is to get the incumbent to respond to your candidate.  Russ is making this part look easy.  Take a look at just the past couple of days.  He appears on SmartTalk on WITF to debate the head of the PA Lawyers Association, and wins that debate.  Why do I say he won - Russ is a walking encyclopedia on the constitution, legislative process, and judicial history.  The other guy attempted to argue points but came up short on each occasion - Russ just embarassed a lawyer on TV.  The lawyer had to resort to saying that Russ’ message was irresponsible, more of an insult than a logical arguement. 

Then today I read GOP State Chairman Rob Gleason is criticizing Russ for wanting to non-retain all but one judge.  His argument is based on political necessity - “we don’t want to lose all those Republican judges.”  Russ is now a threat to not only lawyers who have an interest in the status quo, but also the political parties who have an interest in the status quo. 

The big win for Russ is the criticism by former Gov. Tom Ridge.  Talk about snagging a huge credibility boost.  About the only way to gain more credibility is if the President came out and criticized Russ for something. 

Here’s the effect - what is everyone talking about?  The possibility of not retaining 67 judges.  Who’s message is that?  Russ Diamond and PACleanSweep’s that’s who.  Guess whose winning? 

And don’t worry that I’m giving the establishment any kind of advice on how to deal with Russ by not responding - they wouldn’t lower themselves to read this blog anyway. 

Great job Russ!

I’ve been receiving Richard Viguerie’s e-mails for awhile.  I’ve found him to be rather, how should I put it, rigid.  I’ve been truly enjoying the last few e-mails over the last couple of months.  He’s been attacking Fred Thompson.  If I were on the Thompson campaign I’d be rejoicing.  Here’s why:

First off, when someone who is either a leader, or self-proclaimed leader, of a movement or part of a movement attacks you, you are a threat and more importantly, a legitimate threat.  That means someone who has, or thinks they have credibility thinks you have credibility.  Forget what the attack is about - it doesn’t matter.  The benefits far outweigh the negatives.  In this case, Thompson is the focus and the topic - not what Viguerie’s message is.  He should know better, he’s supposedly an expert on messaging. 

Secondly, Viguerie is giving Thompson plenty of fundraising material.  I can just see the fundraising letters now - I’m being attacked as …  Just fill in the blank.  It’s the same thing that Hillary Clinton does to boost her fundraising.  You think she wants to be loved by everyone - hell no.  If you are loved by everyone, then there is no need, in the current state of poilitics to give you money.  Politics is about fighting, not love.  You have to be up against something or someone.  That’s what politics is about.  Look at the great leaders - they fought against great odds and great opponents.  Reagan against the Evil Empire, FDR against tthe Nazis, Lincoln against teh South and Slavery, Washington against the oppressive British.  That’s how it works. 

Bush tried this approach, but the problem is that terrorism isn’t restricted to a geographical location with boundaries, unlike the other great enemies we’ve faced. 

Here’s a personal example for me of all this in play - When I did Jessica Brewbaker’s District Judge race, I was thrilled when I learned that someone had taken some of our yard signs, ripped them into pieces and shoved them into people’s mailslots on their front doors.  Yes, someone actually got that upset - amazing.  It thrilled me because it rallied our supporters, helped us raise some last minute, much needed funds to finish the campaign, and showed me that our message was working. 

Thompson’s campaign should be loving the criticism - it means he’s doing the right thing.