Search And Destroy Part 2

I read this Next Right item Instapundit just linked last night. The problem with it is it re-states the obvious, which even Patrick acknowledges, but offers nothing regarding a solution beyond a vague the Right must do more. There are some specific suggestions to be made.   

In case you've been living in a cave or something, the left has lately gotten good at campaigns to delegitimize and destroy up-and-coming Republicans long before they have a chance at running for President.

The right needs a serious investigative capacity to channel raw information in politically important directions. Op-eds and Fox hits don't add value. Raw information about Democratic hypocrisy does.

I see at least three ways in which this could start to change for the better.

One is better coordination between elements of the GOP infrastructure and the blogging Grass Roots. The GOP is better positioned to spot Democrat weaknesses and rising stars, as well as providing some background and information the Grass Roots can then run with and even improve upon.

Another way would be for some existing Right-side publications on line to re-orient themselves to some degree so as to start providing more value than the latest Bill Kristol or (insert name here) happy to tell us how much they know without adding any practical value to the game.

The third way, and my personal favorite, would be for some GOP-related dollars that go to funding their old line institutions and publications to start funding an on line zine or group blog, empowering serious and more activist efforts in this regard.

Until some of the above starts to happen, or something else different, we may as well all write our next here's what's wrong, do more of something post and date it to publish sometime next year.

Comments

[mark l.]

The conservative net needs to go after the nutroots, bigtime.

The best forum?
debates.

My first choice would be a deabte on the economy. Let the conservative blogs choose their 'champion' and let the libs choose theirs. If the conservatives produce their guy and provide a forum, the left would not resit their chance to show up.

Some casual observations about the left repeating the same mistakes of the right:

They must decide between defending the policies that are being enacted or hammering down on the conservative 'nails' that are standing. watching the left trying to demonize the right, in the face of the fact that they hold both houses and the presidency is like a bad case of deja vu. If they want to go after jindal, a young, intelligent, successful, popular governor- prepping the ground for a potential 2012 run, by all means, let them go. Their immediate problem is 2010.

[Southern Values]

Your side could start by coming up with any legitimate / cohesive idea that resonates with the non 25% hard core Right. You do realize that the reason the Dems won big in the last election and is winning in the area of public opinion is that the country has seen no substance or real ideas other than “NO” from the Right? Lastly, the Right owns the majority of the problems we now face. The average American understands this and until you admit that and offer up something other than the same old platitudes, you’re going to be a marginalized party.

[Jim Durbin]

Platitudes worked fine to work Obama - most people still don't know what he wants to do.

Here's what you set up - the RNC, or some other enterprising group, is tasked with states or regions of the country to drive raw intelligence in the form of youtube video of incumbents, votes, local newsstories, and candidate press releases.

Using a group of just 10 savvy researchers, you can gather the information for 635 races nationwide, and even help out some with governor, lt gov, and SoS.

This raw intelligence is then sectioned off for state and local bloggers, as well as candidates, to use for their own ends. Simultaneously, good local and state bloggers are identified and their stories and ideas aggregated for national use.

We've been accused for years of having a VRWC - might as well create one. Make it non-profit - funded by donations after a grant, and don't let the people involved become the story - their job is research, not driving news.

Add some SEO experts and a database manager, and you can build up the grassroots power. The result in a year would be an alternative media channel used by every conservative online.

The problem with current operations is they 1) don't identify talent, and 2) are interested in specific issues they are paid to push, and not building the strength of those they're pushing information too.

You don't have to be as slimy as CAP or Media Matters (you get around that with researchers and not PR folks), but you need to create a place to go to (think Heritage or AEI), but with an eye towards building talent in your base.

Finally, you actually hire marketers to train political consultants on using social media, video, and blogs in local campaigns. Make it clear this has the greatest impact 6-12 months prior to the election. It's not something you do 3 months before the vote.