I think few would disagree that 2012 was a pretty brutal political season. On More than a few occasions, I noticed that conservatives seemed baffled at what they perceived to be cheap shots at one another, Going so far as to say we “eat our own.” Perhaps. But just maybe more sinister, underhanded liberal forces are work, pitting conservative front-runners against one other so they kill each other in the primaries. Then, become so bitter, there will be no breaking bread in the general election, nor will polarized supporters come together afterwards to win.
In a largely Democratic County, conservatives don’t have to become all that divided to lose elections. Democrats don’t have to be rocket scientists to observe the division already present–and know that a bit more division will ensure it’s in the bag. Don’t misinterpret, as I’m not denying the inevitable mud slinging that is politics. Certainly, candidates will criticize one another, highlighting their opponent’s weaknesses. But when the nastiness rises to a level that is truly harmful to good men and women who devote years of time and incredible sums of money to serve their communities and brings bitter strife to an entire party, you have to wonder.
Do you really believe an unethical incumbent slug and his crafty, weasly sidekick (who still has fangs in the 4th largest city’s largest paper) sat back doing nothing–the perfect gentleman–and it was fortuitous for him that the conservative candidates did the work he would otherwise have had to do? Hardly. I’ve not read Rules for Radicals because I prefer to not read garbage dedicated to Lucifer. But I’ve no doubt that one incumbent Democrat endorsed by the Houston Chronicle has, along with his coward “not the Campaign Manager” sidekick.
Perhaps it ought to be required reading for conservative candidates in Harris County. A Democratic stronghold, it’s already an uphill climb for those challenging liberal incumbents. But the first rule of thumb in going into battle for anyone is knowing who your enemy is. This election, I believe conservatives forgot this and tended to credit each other with the schemes of the true crafty, weasly coward. The old Divide and conquer! Works every time. Consider Obama: 47% v 51%.
When you have the support of the bought out Press, you can manipulate many things your advantage, like making sure they endorse one of your opponents and trash the other. Even better, trash them both and make it look like they’re doing it to each other. It’s not hard to start a war of words if you’re crafty enough. Once supporters of your opponents begin reacting to attacks that are believed to have originated from the other, your work is done.
The Republican Party has lost many significant elections simply by becoming divided and polarized against one another. Consider 2012. Most supporters of Newt Gingrich who I know did not like Mitt Romney–in the beginning–United behind him only to discover what a wonderful man he is. But some Tea Party voters (none I know) and Ron Paul supporters dug their heels in the sand and stayed home in protest.
Democrats don’t always have to instigate division because we do it to ourselves. But it certainly is an effective no brainier strategy, isn’t it? They can simply pour some gasoline on the conflict already there and BOOM! I have enough information (as do others) to confidently say a scoundrel was lying in wait with the gasoline and a bag of popcorn. Why do I have this confidence? Good old fashioned legal work, turning over every rock. Common sense. The sad thing is–it worked. Some very good people suffered things undeserved by the underhanded schemes of one corrupt politician–whom we are stuck with 4 more years.
So, where do we go from here? I’m going to continue with my mission of helping special needs kids. Politics was merely a diversion–not a place I ever intended to camp out and stay. But I’ll be around. As for our Party, whether we lost by massive fraud or not, we would do well to learn from this. We can be our own worst enemies, but if you think the nasty left has abandoned their covert schemes, I have some ocean front property to sell you in Arizona. O.K, George Strait said that one, but you get my drift. It was awfully quiet on the left, don’t you think?
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