Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 05:38 am:

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Ryan's Masterful Speech: A Fireside Chat With a Nation in Crisis
by Joel B. Pollak, Breitbart.com | 29 Aug 2012

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a politician connect with a nation quite like Paul Ryan did it tonight. Ryan has the simple charisma of sincerity. It helps that he is adept at explaining complicated subjects in clear, concise language. But there is something more there, a skill that I’m not sure can be taught or rehearsed. It’s a way of relating to the world, to other human beings--even family and intimate friends--through ideas. Through reason.

It’s a form of leadership we rarely see. In 2008, Barack Obama impressed pundits with his intellect and rhetoric, but beyond his high-flown hyperbole, much of what he offered was mere sophistry. Obama is a man of words, not ideas--of letters but not leadership, as Ryan pointed out tonight. Ryan’s own ideas are not only substantively better but also seem more deeply felt, more passionate and authentic--without trying too hard to be so.

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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 03:49 pm:

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SpinCheck: A Factory and the Media's Ryan Derangement Syndrome
by Mike Flynn, Aug 30 2012

With even Democrats acknowledging [see referenced article below] that Ryan gave a strong performance last night, the media is in full spin mode attacking the Vice-Presidential candidate. They are hyperventilating that Ryan "lied" in a story about Obama promising to keep open a Janesville, WI GM factory, which eventually closed during Obama's first year in office. And by "lie" I guess they mean that Ryan told a true story they don't like. Such is the state of political reporting these days.

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Dems acknowledge Paul Ryan gave an effective performance
By Erik Wasson, Aug 30, 2012

Democrats are acknowledging GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan gave an effective performance Wednesday even as they launch an all out assault on his honesty.

“He played the role of vice presidential attack dog. I think he did it very well,” said President Obama’s deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter on Thursday.

But Cutter also criticized Ryan, saying his "lies" and "vitriol" are not what the American people deserve.

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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 05:24 pm:

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According to Alinsky, the organizer — especially a paid organizer from outside — must first overcome suspicion and establish credibility. Next the organizer must begin the task of agitating: rubbing resentments, fanning hostilities, and searching out controversy. This is necessary to get people to participate. An organizer has to attack apathy and disturb the prevailing patterns of complacent community life where people have simply come to accept a situation. Alinsky would say, "The first step in community organization is community disorganization."

Through a process combining hope and resentment, the organizer tries to create a "mass army" that brings in as many recruits as possible from local organizations, churches, services groups, labor unions, corner gangs, and individuals.

According to Alinsky, the main job of the organizer is to bait an opponent into reacting. "The enemy properly goaded and guided in his reaction will be your major strength."

RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.

RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.

RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.

RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.

RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.

RULE 6: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.

RULE 7: “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.

RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.

RULE 9: “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.

RULE 10: “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.

RULE 11: “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.

RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.

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