And what's the plan after that? Is that where it ends?
Nope, doesn't end there young grasshoper...
This is about the movement, not just the candidate.
I think what Bradley is trying to say is we need to keep focused on the task at hand first. We need to stick by our candidate in his decisions, and see this through, or what good are we as a movement? What other candidate would want us down the line if we can't stay the course when times get tough? RP is smart...let's back him till this plays out.
This movement is like a child...growing. We need to stop whinning, throwing temper tantrums, and crying. We also need to stop jumping around, settle down, and focus. We need to campaign from now till the convention like we were still garning votes for RP. We need to get the message out. We need to learn to grow into maturity.
We're probably gonna stumble through this a bit the next few weeks, but we need to learn to sharpen our focus, our strategies, etc.
BTW, for all those still speculating on an independent run, since he only mentioned not going 3rd party....while I wouldn't hold your breath, think about it for a minute. If that were to ever happen, it would be best to stay the course, campaign all the way through the convention and try our best to make our voices behind RP heard loud and clear to the Republican party. We would gain nothing by going independent at this junction anyway, as the media would still block him out. If his run stops there, we do not, and the message gets out to many more in the party that this is NOT going away.
However, if McCain becomes a lame-duck by the convention due to massive campaign in the trenches by us (and any turn of event this spring/summer), and general dissatisfaction by many in the party, then who knows...or maybe an "independent Republican" run isn't out of the question. I don't know...anything could happen. Many conservatives are sick of the Republican leadership. I woke out of the fog not so long ago...and I was a hard core party type years ago, but slowly drifting for a while now. There are many more that are just in disbelief right now and upset where this is headed.
Just a very lame analogy...but often it is easier/less costly to keep the foundation of a house (which once was good...very long ago), gut it a bit, and build it back up, then to totally start from scratch (or move to a different foundation). The Republican part hasn't had the proper upkeep for years now. It looks nothing like the original house it was...and while we are at it, we could make the original foundation even better, fill in the cracks, etc, to make it would it could be, not just what it was, we can make it stronger by shoring its base with the Constitution...we can redefine what the house is, and what it looks like to all....if we stay the course.
Bottom line is it wouldn't be in our best interests to do anything now but stay the course till the convention. We just need to sharpen our focus, hunker down, and keep in the overall war. The opponents may take a breather from now till the convention thinking it a lock....grassroots during this time for the message is key. The more people we reach in the mean time, the more pressure on conservative leaders, talk radio, etc. We should in a way be excited. Many can't stand what is going on, and we do have time...time is on our side if we use it wisely. I don't see any of the others going to have the same effectiveness between now and then, because their messages aren't truly different. They all spout change but they aren't.
Real ID's ugly head rearing this spring will help us. RP is the only candidate that spoke out to repeal it. He is the only one that disagrees not just due to funding, but on civil liberties. There are several groups against it, and I'm gonna see if we can't coordinate better across all levels.
Personally, while you need to tailor the message to your audience. I think two things to become well versed on are the economy and Real ID. Both will be playing out in coming months. 2nd amendment right isn't a bad one either. Many in the military have just realized the legislation lately is aimed to try to take away gun rights to those who know how to use them, while they are away defending our country. Many of us in the military are not happy about that, and even some that didn't really care if they were gun owners in the past, are exercising the right to own and purchase now for the first time in a quiet form of peaceful protest....as a way to support the gun shops and others standing up for the 2nd amendment...to show people do still care and purchase guns, and we don't want that right to go away.
Bottom line, we all need to shake off the past week, and get back to work. There are many more to reach.
