Watching the Dem surrogates over the past few weeks I have become rankled by their lack of preparation in taking on the Machine.  Had they been better prepared, the message would resonate much more powerfully.  I actually think they have done a better job recently, its a rigged format and our surrogates are rarely given a fair shake in most media formats today, putting us on defense, and engendering hurried speech before we are cut off. Still, refining the discussion will help the message reach many more voters.

So, I am adopting the following practices in my discussions and debates with right wingers, and welcome any surrogates to add these/ invest more in the following:

1.  Plan for the Bob and Weave.  Expect your counterpart to change the argument once they feel pinned down.  Begala nailed the GOP on the Palin Bridge Lie, and Castellanos then tried to justify that earmarks were OK.  Greg Sargeant wrote on this yesterday, that isnt the debate.  The importance is that we are being sold an inexperienced DC outsider as a great solution, largely due to her mavericky ways, the most central proof of which is a lie.

So prepare for some self effacing repositioning and call it out as such, then drive your initial point home.   "Her story on The Bridge has nothing to do with whether earmarks are inherently always good or bad, and you know it.  Its sad you must change the subject in order to continue the lie to America.  But we won't let you disrespect our people.  

This has everything to do with McCain logic-defying claim to Change.  Earmarks are his most cited reform.  This Bridge lie seems a total washout to justify her maverickness, but a home run in demonstrating, again, that McCain's campaign will say anything- even dishonor the American people with bold face lies- to get elected.   Shame on John McCain, and shame on you." 

2.  Draw Them Out.  Make them tell you what they are saying and dispense devil's advocate attacks.  Force them to state it as opinion they cant substantiate it is an accepted fact. 

For example, Obama wants sex ed outcomes that are not included in the four corners of the bill enacted?  What makes you think that?  Who are these "some people" who say there may be other motives and what exactly have they claimed?  If that bill isnt about protecting kids from pedophiles, what is your more reasonable explanation, and why is it important enough to spend national TV type money to discuss? 

And once they are drawn out-Attack (man, Begala was so right)!.  How is this better service for our country (country first right?) talking about sex ed-  instead of the economic plan to revive our economy?  Clarify position, legsweep.  Shame them.  Use simple strong words to do damage, not deference.   

3.  Framing.  Show the audience the impact it will have on their lives.  Show them the injustice of the issues they support and its contrast to the generally accepted American way of life.  We don’t lie, we don’t steal, we don’t bullshit.  We work hard, give freedom to our neighbor to pursue happyness, and make our way. 

As a specific example, I have a problem with “can’t win on the issues.  Its not "issues" versus "character."  Too bland, too hazy.  But issues become Wars,a nd We dont do Bad Wars, plus , they become Biggest Financial Bailouts in History, and We arent about free rides, or Financial Failure.  The issues mean one more car for the CEO's garage while his worker's child's, perhaps yoru niece or nephew, another sickness goes untreated. 

So what is America to you?  What should goverment do to pretect it.  Stand up to prevent Oil Wars for your grandsons to fight, or American Idol?  Issues= the fight for the Future.  Character= distracting us from the American fight, to fight one another instead.  Frame those issues with the moral compass of America.  Both the right and the left have parts of the American story to use, but the left sometimes forgets to remind us of its part in our American DNA

4.  Attach Specific Benefit or Pain to a Characteristic.  Thats why the 3am call and finger on the button comments are always so game changing, right?.  It internalizes the issue, causes a personal reaction, a feeling is owned, and that message stands out in a hectic day.

The Pain of Lying Example.  OK, so they misspoke, the stretched the truth, all politicians do that right?  Hey, lies got us into trillions of dollars of wasted money in the Iraq war, money which could have been used here to help our economy.  Lies start wars.  Lies kill our brave soldiers.  Lies take money out of the working man's pocket and into the billionaire's, when the opposite was promised.  Government lies mortgage American honor.  Lies steal from America’s future prosperity. 

Finally a question:  In the Ad "still," they have McCain with glasses, it reminds me of his Keating Five days.  Perhaps purposeful?  Why no talk of the Keating Five scandal to date?  Is it time for surrogates to attack?