In 1994, Republicans won the majority of our first home in 40 years on a contract with the US. Two years later, we became the majority of the GOP House, who was re-elected for the first time in 68 years. We learned many lessons in this process. These are lessons that can be used by the majority of Republican homes today.
First of all, doing the right thing is not enough. To maintain the trust and support of Americans, we must do the right thing in the right way. (Related: Carter and Ellis: Trump's tax cuts won't come soon enough to fix Biden's economic turmoil)
If you do the right thing in the wrong way – without buy-in from the Americans – you will be dumped. The enemy will then be a majority and will soon abolish all the good things you have done.
I have been thinking specifically about the budget adjustment bill that Republicans are about to pass. I realized that there are five principles Republicans should follow to communicate the right policy in the right way.
Numbers are meaningless
Don't speak in numbers. I'll talk about my values. We successfully reformed welfare because it was about the moral obligations of work and independence. Reform happens to save money.
Similarly, the benefit of Medicare is to increase the range of options for retirees, which happened to save money. Republicans should always lead in value discussions and answer questions at a value level. Leading with numbers and discussing numbers will lose people's attention and get buried in mathematical problems.
Talk to Americans every day
Republicans need to explain all of their policies in a way that the average family can understand.
What does this new policy mean to them? Why is it the right policy for their lives and future?
If you can't clearly explain your policy to the average American, you shouldn't do it. Remember, President Abraham Lincoln's advice is that popular sentiment will not fail anything. Without popular emotions, nothing can be successful. Don't risk doing the right thing in the wrong way. Your opponent will lie about your policy – and replace you with an office.
Don't say “cut”
Always talk about slowing down your qualification growth. I will never talk about eligibility reductions. Medicare budgets are increasing every year. That's true.
But the Congressional Budget Office is a liberal fortress that sets a mythical baseline to acquire conservative bills as Medicare cuts, even if they increase Medicare spending. In 1996 we trained all Republicans and talked about growth and slowing growth. Those who used the word “cut” had to put dollars in a jar in public or in closed discussions.
Expels swamps
In some areas there is reduction. These are usually due to the elimination of waste, fraud and outdated programs. The country is a strong and strong support of “swamp drainage” and Washington waste (over 70%).
Find some useless examples of waste, fraud, and obsolescence, and always repeat them in speeches, interviews, city hall meetings, and discussions with the enemy.
Patriotism wins
Patriotism is the strongest value in our political language. America constantly reminds people that Washington needs to be cleaned. America needs to end wasteful spending and huge deficits.
America needs prosperity, allowing for less deficits, lower interest rates, lower taxes and lower regulations. A prosperous America is a good thing for all Americans and is necessary for our survival in a dangerous world. Federal budgets shrink and ultimately balance are acts of patriotism and good citizenship.
Passing the settlement bill is considered a great success at the grassroots level when all Republicans learn and use these five principles. That means 2026 will be a stronger election.
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