The ABCDE's of Politics

Note. It is difficult to avoid politics. I have fallen victim to my own disclaimer of "no politics." Here is an account, in the abstract, of how campaigns operate. This piece is made non partisan, but is fully adaptable to whatever your preference is.

I read about it everywhere, but still I was going around in circles trying to figure President Obama’s and Governor Romney’s campaign strategy, until it hit me. Their campaign strategies are going around in circles – in a clever way. Let me explain…

The wrapper, or model, proposed here is as easy as ABCDE. These are Achievements, Blame, Central Issues, Distrust, and Excellent me. It does show how the campaign can be contained, classified, categorized, understood, and interpreted. Each candidate positions themselves in these, the “Big Five.”

A – Achievements- what have I done in this world. How have I made it better.

B – Blame. Blame the previous administration on whatever happened. They are the bad-guys, they have caused the problems. I’m only trying to fix them.

C – Central Campaign Themes. Focus on your central campaign issues. These can be negative, positive, or neutral.

D – Distract, Divert, Divide, Distrust, Disrespect, Demonize, and Deceive. Seven "D's." Here are the nuts and bolts of the campaign. It is important to paint the competitor as disingenuous, unable, incompetent, or dishonest – even two more "D's."

E – Excellent me. Here the candidate should shine with genuine credits of how he/she is a worthy person. This can involve family, friends, colleagues, and anything else that demonstrates excellence. A typical example is shown below.

In the example above, we see the campaign as coming in at 50-80% negative, not unusual for politics. Campaign themes can be either really negative or positive. This depends on the candidate's proclivities.

What is important in most games, and this political game has enormous stakes, is to notice what’s not there. Here are a few points of great importance. Each should fit neatly into the ABCDE’s.

Vision for America – what does America mean and how do I address this?
Moving forward – We are here now and need to move on. Continue what I’ve been doing (incumbent) or change course (challenger).
Issues and beliefs in the broad scope – I believe this; my opponent believes that. The choice is clear.
Building on what we’ve done – for the incumbent.
Exceptionalism – this, the national state of mind, is what made America great.
World leadership – America is, want it or not, the leader of this world, this planet. Without our stabilizing influence, the world reverts to a mixture of destabilizing events and petty squabbles- and wars..

In actuality, this simple ABCDE container appears fit most campaign strategies of most candidates.

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