RNC Finance:'Absolutely Shameful'

Off Topic Politics & World Issues
1


Was this image made by a PWI poster or RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart?

The video on the link says it all

[i]
The Republican National Committee plans to raise money this election cycle through an aggressive campaign capitalizing on â??fearâ?? of President Barack Obama and a promise to “save the country from trending toward socialism.”

The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how â??ego-drivenâ?? wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and â??tchochkes.â??

The presentation was delivered by RNC Finance Director Rob Bickhart to top donors and fundraisers at a party retreat in Boca Grande, Florida on February 18, a source at the gathering said.

In neat PowerPoint pages, it lifts the curtain on the often-cynical terms of political marketing, displaying an air of disdain for the partyâ??s donors that is usually confined to the barroom conversations of political operatives.

The presentation explains the Republican fundraising in simple terms.

“What can you sell when you do not have the White House, the House, or the Senate…?” it asks.

The answer: "Save the country from trending toward Socialism!â??[/i]

Read more: Exclusive: RNC document mocks donors, plays on 'fear' - POLITICO

2

Motivations of PWI’s regular posters (as listed by the RNC):
-Fear
-Extreme negative feelings…
-Reactionary

It’s true, but I didn’t expect the RNC to be so blunt about its base.

Are you, personally, buying what they’re selling? (my guess is “yes” for 75% of PWI)

3

This would be a MUCH more interesting thread if you knew anything about copywriting, direct mail of even marketing in general.

Oh well…

4

[quote]cremaster wrote:
This would be a MUCH more interesting thread if you knew anything about copywriting, direct mail of even marketing in general.

Oh well…[/quote]

And how, pray tell, would that be more interesting?

5

Yep the RNC really has their finger on the pulse of America.

6

You have to admit that the Evil Empire Pictures are comical. The Reid and Pelosi picture with the pitchfork is down right funny.

7

Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?

8

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

9

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

You’re conflating fear and problem solving.

Healthcare is a problem: we pay too much, and get too little. And costs keep going up and up.

The FEAR approach would be: Pass Bill X Right Now or You’re All Gonna Die. Despite the RNC talking points, there’s been an open, and detailed public debate on this issue for well over a year… in fact, remember all the way back to grand-ol-2008, and recall that the guy who was elected actually ran on a pretty liberal healthcare platform, much more liberal than what’s passing, and he was elected.

This is in contrast to something like the patriot act, which over-night took away freedoms and rights to “keep us safe”.

Just because you don’t like the way the national debate turned out, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

However much you may disagree with something, there’s no FEAR mongering involved, when over the course of a two-year campaign, they articulate their position on an issue, get elected, and then try and follow through.

This is in contrast to the self-proclaimed civil-libertarians on the right, who have a track record on running as pro-individual rights candidates, and then letting an event “change everything” thus requiring all sort of limitations on our freedoms.

10

Do you actually believe the government can fix health care?

They purposefully limit the supply of it and cause prices to rise.

Oh, I can’t wait for a visit to my doctor to be like going to the DMV.

:confused:

11

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

I agree with your above points Rockscar. However, the absolute KING of exploiting fear is Dick Cheney.

12

[quote]Spartiates wrote:

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

You’re conflating fear and problem solving.

Healthcare is a problem: we pay too much, and get too little. And costs keep going up and up.

The FEAR approach would be: Pass Bill X Right Now or You’re All Gonna Die. Despite the RNC talking points, there’s been an open, and detailed public debate on this issue for well over a year… in fact, remember all the way back to grand-ol-2008, and recall that the guy who was elected actually ran on a pretty liberal healthcare platform, much more liberal than what’s passing, and he was elected.

This is in contrast to something like the patriot act, which over-night took away freedoms and rights to “keep us safe”.

Just because you don’t like the way the national debate turned out, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

However much you may disagree with something, there’s no FEAR mongering involved, when over the course of a two-year campaign, they articulate their position on an issue, get elected, and then try and follow through.

This is in contrast to the self-proclaimed civil-libertarians on the right, who have a track record on running as pro-individual rights candidates, and then letting an event “change everything” thus requiring all sort of limitations on our freedoms.[/quote]

Well, I DID agree with you Rockscar, but I think Spartiates makes some excellent points here.

13

[quote]Spartiates wrote:

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

You’re conflating fear and problem solving.

Healthcare is a problem: we pay too much, and get too little. And costs keep going up and up.

The FEAR approach would be: Pass Bill X Right Now or You’re All Gonna Die. Despite the RNC talking points, there’s been an open, and detailed public debate on this issue for well over a year… in fact, remember all the way back to grand-ol-2008, and recall that the guy who was elected actually ran on a pretty liberal healthcare platform, much more liberal than what’s passing, and he was elected.

This is in contrast to something like the patriot act, which over-night took away freedoms and rights to “keep us safe”.

Just because you don’t like the way the national debate turned out, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

However much you may disagree with something, there’s no FEAR mongering involved, when over the course of a two-year campaign, they articulate their position on an issue, get elected, and then try and follow through.

This is in contrast to the self-proclaimed civil-libertarians on the right, who have a track record on running as pro-individual rights candidates, and then letting an event “change everything” thus requiring all sort of limitations on our freedoms.[/quote]

You say a lot, yet you say nothing to refute my point…at all.

14

[quote]DBCooper wrote:

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

I agree with your above points Rockscar. However, the absolute KING of exploiting fear is Dick Cheney.[/quote]

I’m not saying fear tactics are not used by the Republicans.

I was saying it’s silly to say it’s shameful, as the OP title says. Both sides use it, and with good right. It’s always been a platfom in politics.

15

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

I’m not saying fear tactics are not used by the Republicans.

I was saying it’s silly to say it’s shameful, as the OP title says. Both sides use it, and with good right. It’s always been a platfom in politics.[/quote]

  1. I was quoting a former republican congressman.
  2. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t talking about “fear” per se, although I would say there should be a certain amount of shame in that too.
16

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.
[/quote]

Fear is fine. I;m afraid of higher taxes, crappier health care, and runaway spending.

17

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]Spartiates wrote:

[quote]Rockscar wrote:

[quote]John S. wrote:
Is that evil empire supposed to be shameful?

Isn’t this kind of the pot calling the kettle black? And by that I mean democrats expressing outrage of republicans labeling their president?[/quote]

Exactly. If leveraging FEAR is “Shameful”, then let it be known the DNC uses fear as well

-Economy Fear/Government Stimulis act (Act now or else we will be in BIG trouble)

-Global Warming Fear (Fear it so we can tax you to stop it.)

-Health Care Fear (Your rates will go up, Our economy will suffer further and you may lose your job…Babies and 45,000 Americans die because of no coverage, except, get to a hospital and all are covered for free).

-Swine Flu Fear (Fear was used to line the pockets of the administration donors with a cool vaccine!)

Anyone else care to add, please do… there are lots of fear tactics, and it’s always been core to politics.

[/quote]

You’re conflating fear and problem solving.

Healthcare is a problem: we pay too much, and get too little. And costs keep going up and up.

The FEAR approach would be: Pass Bill X Right Now or You’re All Gonna Die. Despite the RNC talking points, there’s been an open, and detailed public debate on this issue for well over a year… in fact, remember all the way back to grand-ol-2008, and recall that the guy who was elected actually ran on a pretty liberal healthcare platform, much more liberal than what’s passing, and he was elected.

This is in contrast to something like the patriot act, which over-night took away freedoms and rights to “keep us safe”.

Just because you don’t like the way the national debate turned out, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

However much you may disagree with something, there’s no FEAR mongering involved, when over the course of a two-year campaign, they articulate their position on an issue, get elected, and then try and follow through.

This is in contrast to the self-proclaimed civil-libertarians on the right, who have a track record on running as pro-individual rights candidates, and then letting an event “change everything” thus requiring all sort of limitations on our freedoms.[/quote]

You say a lot, yet you say nothing to refute my point…at all.

[/quote]

So let me get this straight. You list three examples of the DNC supposedly using fear mongering, but Spartiates’ fairly accurate description of the handling of the health care debate by the DNC as cautious and rational - and hence not fear mongering - doesn’t refute your point at all?

This is why I hardly come around here anymore…

18

It is difficult to understand why any given individual could view government as a problem solver or possess the capabilities necessary as an entrepreneur and business manager. Social security, medicare, medicaid, the post office, and the monetary system and a myriad of any other given government programs are fiscally bankrupt. Unfortunately, government does not appear to be a problem solver but rather one that creates or severely exacerbates, particularly in the long run, currently existing problems.

19

Holy shit I would be so stoked if we were actually anywhere near being socialist.

20

[quote]ckallander wrote:
Holy shit I would be so stoked if we were actually anywhere near being socialist. [/quote]

In a socialist country 100% of the GDP goes through the state, at least theoretically.

In the US it is somewhere around 50%.

Assuming that the USSR had a black market of about 30-40%, how far away are you?