Morton Blackwell: An Open Letter To Conservatives
Being right in the sense of being correct is not sufficient to win. The winner in a political contest over time is determined by the number and the effectiveness of the activists and leaders on the respective sides. You owe it to your philosophy to study how to win. You have a moral obligation to learn how to win. ~ Morton Blackwell
Dr. Bill Smith, Editor: Morton Blackwell has posted an open letter on Red State, linked on his twitter account, and shared in The Washington Times under the title, Conservatives must learn how to win. Morton Blackwell is a leader in the conservative movement and has devoted many of his years to developing the base of future conservatives through the Leadership Institute. He begins his letter noting the campaign and election night loss of Barry Goldwater.
I vividly remember Nov. 4, 1964. I was a college freshman and had followed the campaign of Barry Goldwater — the person to save America from godless communists. Yes, I had a lot to learn in life. I had just turned 18, was a recent high school graduate from rural town USA, and I couldn't vote or drink (until 21), but I could be married with a parents permission, be drafted and even die for my country. I understood little about politics but understood the of value hard work. The U.S. was at war in Vietnam. I listened to the election results on the radio with some college friends. I was beyond consolation over Goldwater's loss to Lyndon Johnson. As recall this youthful response, I must note, many years later, I have seen numerous adults rant, rave and cry over election results. The more you are committed to a campaign, the more you feel the loss.
Little did I realize that within 18 months, I would be married, drafted, and quickly volunteering to enlist in the military. My life would now be under the decisions of Commander-in Chief Lyndon Johnson. I did not hide from my responsibility like future president Bill Clinton who would become a future rising star in the progressive movement. My wife and I as conservative Christians learned life values from the Bible and service to others. Once old enough, we voted in every election regardless of where we were in the world. However, we could not participate in the political process other than voting and praying. My commitment remained to God, my family, "duty, honor, country," my Oath and serving under five presidents for over two decades. It was an honor to serve under the last one: President Ronald Reagan.
Please read the following open letter. The battle for conservative values — limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values — is not over:
by Morton Blackwell: I had a very exciting time at the Republican National Convention. My conservative allies and I all worked very hard in the presidential election.
When I woke up the day after the election, everything I had worked for appeared to be in ruins. An extreme leftist had been reelected president of the United States.
Some liberal Republicans immediately began to blame newly activated conservatives for the presidential defeat. I knew they were wrong. It was clear to me that these newly active conservatives would be the key to major future victories for conservative principles.
The day was Wednesday, November 4, 1964.
The Republican nominee, Barry Goldwater, had suffered a crushing defeat. He won just six states and 52 votes in the Electoral College. But from the ashes of that loss sprang a vigorous conservative movement.
The conservative movement grew from modest beginnings to become a major force capable of nominating and electing candidates at the local, state, and national level, including Ronald Reagan.
Waves of newly activated conservatives elected Ronald Reagan, broke the Democratic monopoly in the Congress, and were decisive in the thrilling 2010 elections. The influx of new conservatives greatly benefited the Republican Party then, as it has again in recent years.
It would be foolish for conservatives, defeated for now, to form a circular firing squad and start shooting at each other. Each element of our coalition — limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values — has a long and strong background of working together. These principles will lead to victories in the future as they have in the past, as recently as two years ago.
For those disappointed by the results of this year’s presidential election, remember that it is a long ball game. Politics has a natural ebb and flow.
Now is the time to study the lessons of this election and to chart a course for conservatives to win in the future. The stakes could not be higher. The margins of victory in the public policy process may be smaller now than at any other time in American history.
Conservatives must reach out and identify philosophically compatible individuals among the types of people with whom leftist organizers have had the most success.
Seek out the reasonably conservative people, the younger the better, who happen to be in categories long-targeted for organization by the left, people who share our American view of individual rights rather than group rights. Help them deepen their understanding of public policy issues. Many have strong opinions they already share with us. Then undertake systematic, persistent actions to recruit them into the public policy process, teach them political skills, and place them where they can be effective.
Work hard and wisely to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists in all categories of people. Do all you can to advance and to protect them. Their success will break the leftist organizers’ near monopolies among people like them.
In closing, let me share with you the most important lesson you will learn at any time in your life about success in the public policy process.
Being right in the sense of being correct is not sufficient to win. The winner in a political contest over time is determined by the number and the effectiveness of the activists and leaders on the respective sides.
You owe it to your philosophy to study how to win. You have a moral obligation to learn how to win.
That was the clinching argument Goldwater conservatives used to revive the power of conservative principles in America in 1964. I know you will find it helpful today.
limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values
Conservatives can and will win big again in presidential elections. But first we must learn from our experience, do what must be done, and study diligently to become ever more effective.
You have fought for good causes before. I pray you’ll continue your fight for good causes now. Victories may be just around the corner.
Tags: Morton Blackwell, conservative grassroots activism, conservatives, limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, traditional values, moral obligation, study how to win, elections To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Dr. Bill Smith, Editor: Morton Blackwell has posted an open letter on Red State, linked on his twitter account, and shared in The Washington Times under the title, Conservatives must learn how to win. Morton Blackwell is a leader in the conservative movement and has devoted many of his years to developing the base of future conservatives through the Leadership Institute. He begins his letter noting the campaign and election night loss of Barry Goldwater.
I vividly remember Nov. 4, 1964. I was a college freshman and had followed the campaign of Barry Goldwater — the person to save America from godless communists. Yes, I had a lot to learn in life. I had just turned 18, was a recent high school graduate from rural town USA, and I couldn't vote or drink (until 21), but I could be married with a parents permission, be drafted and even die for my country. I understood little about politics but understood the of value hard work. The U.S. was at war in Vietnam. I listened to the election results on the radio with some college friends. I was beyond consolation over Goldwater's loss to Lyndon Johnson. As recall this youthful response, I must note, many years later, I have seen numerous adults rant, rave and cry over election results. The more you are committed to a campaign, the more you feel the loss.
Little did I realize that within 18 months, I would be married, drafted, and quickly volunteering to enlist in the military. My life would now be under the decisions of Commander-in Chief Lyndon Johnson. I did not hide from my responsibility like future president Bill Clinton who would become a future rising star in the progressive movement. My wife and I as conservative Christians learned life values from the Bible and service to others. Once old enough, we voted in every election regardless of where we were in the world. However, we could not participate in the political process other than voting and praying. My commitment remained to God, my family, "duty, honor, country," my Oath and serving under five presidents for over two decades. It was an honor to serve under the last one: President Ronald Reagan.
Please read the following open letter. The battle for conservative values — limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values — is not over:
 |
| Morton Blackwell |
When I woke up the day after the election, everything I had worked for appeared to be in ruins. An extreme leftist had been reelected president of the United States.
Some liberal Republicans immediately began to blame newly activated conservatives for the presidential defeat. I knew they were wrong. It was clear to me that these newly active conservatives would be the key to major future victories for conservative principles.
The day was Wednesday, November 4, 1964.
The Republican nominee, Barry Goldwater, had suffered a crushing defeat. He won just six states and 52 votes in the Electoral College. But from the ashes of that loss sprang a vigorous conservative movement.
The conservative movement grew from modest beginnings to become a major force capable of nominating and electing candidates at the local, state, and national level, including Ronald Reagan.
Waves of newly activated conservatives elected Ronald Reagan, broke the Democratic monopoly in the Congress, and were decisive in the thrilling 2010 elections. The influx of new conservatives greatly benefited the Republican Party then, as it has again in recent years.
It would be foolish for conservatives, defeated for now, to form a circular firing squad and start shooting at each other. Each element of our coalition — limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values — has a long and strong background of working together. These principles will lead to victories in the future as they have in the past, as recently as two years ago.
For those disappointed by the results of this year’s presidential election, remember that it is a long ball game. Politics has a natural ebb and flow.
Now is the time to study the lessons of this election and to chart a course for conservatives to win in the future. The stakes could not be higher. The margins of victory in the public policy process may be smaller now than at any other time in American history.
Conservatives must reach out and identify philosophically compatible individuals among the types of people with whom leftist organizers have had the most success.
Seek out the reasonably conservative people, the younger the better, who happen to be in categories long-targeted for organization by the left, people who share our American view of individual rights rather than group rights. Help them deepen their understanding of public policy issues. Many have strong opinions they already share with us. Then undertake systematic, persistent actions to recruit them into the public policy process, teach them political skills, and place them where they can be effective.
Work hard and wisely to increase the number and effectiveness of conservative activists in all categories of people. Do all you can to advance and to protect them. Their success will break the leftist organizers’ near monopolies among people like them.
In closing, let me share with you the most important lesson you will learn at any time in your life about success in the public policy process.
Being right in the sense of being correct is not sufficient to win. The winner in a political contest over time is determined by the number and the effectiveness of the activists and leaders on the respective sides.
You owe it to your philosophy to study how to win. You have a moral obligation to learn how to win.
That was the clinching argument Goldwater conservatives used to revive the power of conservative principles in America in 1964. I know you will find it helpful today.
limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, and traditional values
Conservatives can and will win big again in presidential elections. But first we must learn from our experience, do what must be done, and study diligently to become ever more effective.
You have fought for good causes before. I pray you’ll continue your fight for good causes now. Victories may be just around the corner.
Tags: Morton Blackwell, conservative grassroots activism, conservatives, limited government, free enterprise, strong national defense, traditional values, moral obligation, study how to win, elections To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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