WhatFinger


It’s Images - Not Issues

Democrats Didn’t Win – Out of Touch Republicans Lost



Long before the 2008 Presidential campaign had begun, Republicans had already lost the election. Why? Because they failed to realize that in modern-day politics, your image is just as important as the issues.

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The McCain campaign spent over $300 million campaigning on issues because their outdated out-of-touch political consultants wrongfully advised them that this was the way to win elections. While the Republicans were busy promoting issues, the Democrats were busy promoting an image, an image that reflected the new rock star American Idol craze, complemented with a campaign theme that implied that the Democrats were the ones who care about the people and their problems. With a well-crafted long range strategy (along with the help of the media), the Democrats changed the image of the Republican Party from being the compassionate Party of Lincoln to a racist party whose only concerned was for the rich and big business. In their 2008 platform, Republicans only referred to Lincoln one time, the same amount of times the Democrats referred to him in their platform – Obama also mentioned Lincoln in his victory speech. The invincible Republicans (so they thought), focused not on how to reach the changing faces of America (a focus that most Americans are comfortable with), they instead focused on two primary issues that only a handful of their loyal followers were pre-occupied with. The old men and women who currently run the party are convinced that Republicans would have voter appeal if they promoted smaller government and lower taxes. To the average citizen this was meaningless. In a society where only 50% of the people actually pay taxes, it is very difficult for most to understand from a people standpoint, how these two issues would affect the average household, particularly those who pay their taxes through payroll deduction (they consider taxes as an acceptable way of life). Today’s voters are fascinated with idols, images and issues that they feel affect people. The Republican Party has failed to accept this reality nor have they made this connection. With the low approval ratings of George W. Bush, and a perceived image of being a party for the wealthy, Republicans have an uphill battle in trying to win the popularity contest that could put them back into the White House.

What Republicans must do:

1. Launch a two-year Public Relations campaign to improve their image 2. Once again embrace the legacy of Lincoln and reconnect with the black voter. 3. Recognize the growing number of people of color and become the party of cultural and racial diversity 4. Connect with people by showing that Republicans have a compassion for people and their problems 5. Stop using political consultants and instead use grass-root organizations who work more closely with the voters 6. Use modern-day technology to promote their image and not depend on the news media to do it for them 7. Let younger people with new ideas take over the leadership of the party. Finally, Republicans must always remember that voters will be influenced by the party’s image before they will be interested in the party’s issues. Rev. Wayne Perryman, a former newspaper publisher and radio talk show host and in his current profession as a fact-finding investigator in discrimination cases for the plaintiff, Rev. Perryman devotes much of his time serving his church and the inner-city community.


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Guest Column Rev. Wayne Perryman -- Bio and Archives

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