If It's Not Close, They Can't Cheat : Crushing the Democrats in Every Election and Why Your Life Depends on It

by Hewitt, Hugh

• ISBN13: 9780785263197
• ISBN10: 0785263195
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-07-11
• Publisher: Harpercollins Christian Pub

Summary

This is a book about winning elections in an age when security has trumped almost every other issue and the technology of political effectiveness is evolving with lightning quickness. Hewitt offers real-world tactics for individuals who (1) care about the future of the United States and (2) want to work effectively to help elect candidates who will lead the country-on a national or local level-in the right direction. In this book, Hugh Hewitt does more than rehash conservative grievances, preach to the choir, or even preach to the choir plus the undecideds. He aims to change the behavior of the choir, one reader at a time. Hewitt includes material targeted to people of faith when appropriate and appeals to all readers who consider themselves conservative or center-right. The recklessness of our leaders on security and many other crucial issues has never been clearer, and acting in response to that recklessness has never been so urgent. The silly response is anger. The smart response is winning elections .

Author Biography

Hugh Hewitt is the host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show and a Professor of Law at Chapman University Law School where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt received three Emmys during his decade of work as co-host of the PBS Los Angeles affiliate KCET's nightly news and public affairs show Life & Times. He is a weekly columnist for The Daily Standard, the online edition of The Weekly Standard, and a weekly columnist for WorldNetDaily.com

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
PART I: THE STAKES
``I Don't Like You Because You're Going to Get Me Killed''	2	(5)
The Six-Party System	7	(7)
The National Security Collapse of the Democratic Party	14	(11)
Remembering Howard Dean	25	(4)
Understanding John Kerry	29	(8)
George W. Bush and the War	37	(13)
Allies, Opponents, and Enemies	50	(4)
PART II: A BRIEF HISTORY OF DEMOCRATIC CHEATING
The Reputation	54	(3)
The Legacy of the Machines	57	(3)
Democrats and Close Elections: Whatever It Takes	60	(8)
PART III: PARTIES
Parties Matter a Lot	68	(3)
Parties Can't Govern Without Majorities or Pluralities of Seats	71	(8)
Regulars, Occasionals, Principled Pragmatists, Movement Activists, and Fanatics: The Five Orders of Political Partisans	79	(5)
Majorities Require the Votes of Some Not-Very-Bright People	84	(6)
People Change Their Party Affiliations Slowly and Are Embarrassed to Do So	90	(8)
People Like to Win (and Hate to Hear They Won't)	98	(3)
Transitional Voters Don't Like Movement Activists or Fanatics	101	(5)
Party Regulars Don't Like Movement Activists and Fanatics, and Movement Activists and Fanatics Need the Regulars	106	(5)
There Aren't Enough Targets That You Have to Shoot at Your Friends?	111	(7)
PART IV: MONEY
Give	118	(7)
Give Until It Hurts	125	(9)
Give Some More	134	(3)
Celebrate Junk Mail	137	(3)
Opening Your Home	140	(2)
The 527 Threat	142	(7)
Don't Expect to Be Thanked	149	(3)
PART V: MESSAGE DELIVERY
Know Your Stuff: The Key Facts	152	(3)
The Media Tilt Way Left, So Live with It	155	(4)
Controlling the Information Flow, Part 1: The Rise of the New Media	159	(4)
Controlling the Information Flow, Part 2: The Use of Talk Radio	163	(6)
Controlling the Information Flow, Part 3: The Letters Page	169	(2)
Controlling the Information Flow, Part 4: Using the Blogosphere	171	(7)
Winning Converts	178	(3)
Support the People Who Support Your Politics	181	(3)
Subscribe to the Magazines That Usually Support the GOP	184	(4)
PART VI: ``DANGER, WILL ROBINSON, DANGER!''
Abortion, Guns, and the Environment	188	(7)
The Edge of the Knife: Immigration, Judges, Gays, and God	195	(11)
A Majority That Endures	206	(6)
PART VII: TONE AND FOCUS
Perfect Pitch	212	(4)
The Stakes	216	(5)
Appendix A: President Bush's Remarks at National Day of Prayer and Remembrance	221	(3)
Appendix B: President Bush's Address to a Joint Session of Congress and the American People	224	(7)
Appendix C: President Bush's State of the Union Address	231	(9)
Appendix D: President Bush's Commencement Speech at West Point	240	(6)
Appendix E: President Bush's Remarks to United Nations General Assembly	246	(6)
Appendix F: The Crucial Campaigns of 2004 on the Web	252	(1)
Appendix G: Political News from the Web	253	(1)
Appendix H: A Beginner's Guide to the Blogs	254	(1)
Appendix I: The Ten Key Talking Points for 2004	255	(2)
Acknowledgments	257	(2)
About the Author	259