The prospect of losing the tamper-proofness of the House of Representatives combined with the lame-ducking of the loudest-quacking liberal in history is certain to engender some extremely muddy, bloody, desperate down-and-dirty campaigning.

 

Round up the usual suspects:

• Personal attacks and smearing of opposition candidates.

• Continued Bush-bashing...

• ..."Change takes time....it took Bush eight years to get us here."

• Vast [add the word "organized" here] right-wing conspiracy

• "Do you want Rush Limbaugh [substitute Ann Coulter] as your congressperson?

• Demonize the "religious right", gun-toters, seniors...anyone with a voice.

• Blame the minority for thwarting and/or diluting Obama/Congress initiatives.

• Attack any opposing view..."Uninformed nay-sayers want Obama to fail!"

• "We have the experience to get the job done."

• NEW!!! "We're brave enough to stand up to extremists at town hall meetings."

So where do you start if you're running for Congress? 

 

First, you memorize the top-ten liberal attack talking points du jour and you recite them at the onset of every contact with your potential constituents.  By doing so, you not only take the air out of your opponent's balloon, you also gain the opportunity to mock the contrived-ness of it all when he uses them against you.

 

Next, you tick off the attack talking points one by one and counter them with logical new-speak.  Short and sweet, it sounds something like this...

 

"I'm here today at [your doorstep, this town hall debate, this meet the candidates night] seeking your support in my effort to help you change what has gone so very wrong in Washington, DC since you last voted for a representative from our district. 

 

Your current congressman will attack me personally, will continue to attack the former administration as though it were still in power and as though the last quarter of its tenure was not spent battling the Democrat majority in Congress. 

 

He will demonize those of you who have raised your voices in the name of decency, discretion and democracy [pause for long ovation] and those of you who have always stood for the rights defined in the First and Second Amendments.

 

Even your right to religious freedom will be marginalized and challenged for its ancillary philosophies, particularly anti-abortionism and the popular view that the Biblical definition of marriage is not in need of revision.  That, despite the fact that the US Constitution never mentions these issues.

 

Those commentators and spokespersons with whom you identify -- for their ability to express your own thoughts about broken, bloated government and runaway liberalism -- will be demonized.  You, in turn, will be mocked for allowing such tails to wag the dog.  YOU, of course, will always be considered the dog.

 

By the time he is finished, my opponent will expect you to believe that it was his idea to hold town hall meetings so the extremist attendees would never be able to say that he's afraid to hear the voice of so-called nay-sayers. Instead of the real truth -- that every socialistic hyper-spending bill endorsed by the president has been rammed through Congress with as little debate and consideration as possible for one reason and one reason only.  BECAUSE THEY CAN.

 

Is that the change you voted for; change for the worse that could take forever to reverse even if your next vote changes-out the complacent Congress and the vote after that makes this dangerous president a one-termer?

 

You have shaken them up.  Now shake them out."

 

Finally, think hard and long about the legislation that would benefit the nation and your district the most.  Lay out a clear, realistic plan of implementation. 

 

Unlike your opponent, you must never forget that voters understand the issues as well or better than you do and that they will be paying your salary.