America is in a state of decline and chaos, with disappointing election results and years of turmoil in various institutions. Fundamental changes are needed in conservatives’ political and philanthropic strategies to reverse this. Superficial changes will not suffice, given the current state of affairs with rampant crime, military preparedness and education compromised, social experimentation in schools, and government and large corporations coordinating censorship. The weaponization of the Department of Justice and the FBI is also a concern.
Republicans’ failure to win a majority in the Senate and only a slim majority in the House in the last midterms is stunning, given the current state of affairs. Conservative donors need to do things differently, and many are now asking the right questions. Democrats had four distinct advantages in the last midterms, including effective absentee-ballot, ballot-harvesting, and early-voting programs, tone-deaf messages from Republican candidates, young voters overwhelmingly voting Democratic, and suburban women not voting Republican.
Democrats gained these advantages through 24-month integrated strategies between elections, while conservatives pursued disparate, often ineffective, tactics and backloaded their spending to the 90-day run-up to elections. Conservatives must compete more effectively on election mechanics going forward. Democrats also work continuously on the “long game” by developing narratives that will transform America’s culture and shape election outcomes. Conservatives must compete more effectively in the long game, and a small group of conservative donors funded the development of a “conservative ecosystem” to push back against the liberal ecosystem.
Conservatives must also compete more effectively for the hearts and minds of the “magic middle” – swing voters who decide elections. Reaching and persuading swing voters requires different messengers, messages, and message amplification from those conservatives currently employ. Conservative talk radio or television does not reach the magic middle. The conservative ecosystem was developed for this purpose.
There is more work to be done to preserve our freedoms and ensure prosperity for future generations. A broader conversation is needed about the fundamental changes that must be made. This is necessary for our children and grandchildren’s sake.
