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“Winning Again” May Not Be a 'Winning' Slogan

Hello Virginia Republicans from the 11th Congressional District,

So many in Our Party are saying “We Need to Start Winning Again”. This phrase, or one like it, is pervasive. It’s seen and heard everywhere you turn. It seems to be used as both a reason and strategy in and of itself. But when you examine that slogan closely, it seems to ring hollow.
Here are three (3) reasons why “Winning Again” may not be a ‘Winning’ slogan:

1) It’s a Message only to the Republicans: Think about it. I can see where that would stir-up the home team. But when was the last time you were convinced to cheer for a different team – or especially an opposing team – because their slogan was “We Want to Win Again” or “Let’s Start Winning Again”?

We have to market principled messages in powerful ways that appeal to a broad majority of voters. Not just Republicans.

2) “Winning Again” is not a Reason – It’s the result of Reason:
Unaccompanied by a reason to win, this slogan is empty because it does not speak to “Why” we need to win. This is troubling because it is dangerously close to claiming a naked desire for power, for power’s sake. In my view, one of the key things that makes Republicans different from our adversaries is - We believe in the power of ideas. Our adversaries believe in the idea of power.
This certainly does not mean we should not want Republicans to win. Our Party has the better ideas, by far! But we need to understand our purpose in winning – what we will accomplish if we do so. Only then can we be prepared to give people a reason to vote for our candidates.
- We Need to Give All Virginians, not just Republicans, a Reason to Vote for Us -

3) “Winning Again” is not a Strategy – It’s an Outcome of a Strategy: Unaccompanied by a strategy, “Winning Again” is just wishful thinking. Winning is what happens when you do better than your competition. Wanting to win a football game does not get the job done. You need a plan – a strategy.
So, what is our plan? What is our strategy to win the majority of votes in our races? May I suggest we begin that development by considering two initial objectives:
o Know and Understand Our Own Principles
o Study and come to a clear understanding of the principles we stand for as Republicans and how they benefit everyone in our communities
o Help Others to Know and Understand our Principles
o Convincingly communicate those principles to folks – both inside and outside the Party – explaining why they benefit all people of our communities – from the neighborhood to the nation – when they are employed
As we do this, it will better equip us to properly develop messages that apply these Principles to the issues of our day.

Our Nation has been blessed by these Principles. Principles that Republicans reclaimed and carried forward. So we have much to be thankful for in both our American and Republican Heritage. But like a Family History that hasn’t been told to the upcoming generation, the history dies in the silence and the knowledge of family heritage is lost. Family Histories only live on in the re-telling. And so it is up to us to re-tell this story – not just to Republicans so they can know it by heart – but to all Virginians.

Yes, we want to win again. But it is because we have a reason for winning – a reason that benefits all Virginians. Accordingly, we don’t want to only reach Republicans with this message. We want all Virginians to hear our message, so that we might re-secure the blessings of “…Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…” for all of our Commonwealth.

So let’s come up with a better slogan or slogans.

See you next time.

Working to Bring Back Founding Principles
to the Governance of Our Commonwealth,
While Giving the Voice Back to the Grassroots of Our Party

Your Fellow Virginian and Compatriot,
Roland Smith
Candidate for State Central Representative
11th Congressional District

(See the link to the Website in the footer below. Please feel free to use the “Contact Me” page on the Website, or the email address below, to send me any questions or comments you might have.)

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Working to Bring Back Founding Principles to the Governance of Our Commonwealth,
While Giving the Voice Back to the Grass Roots of Our Party
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