Larry D. Lauer

Here’s what history teaches about securing a two-party system:

1. A moral compass required for running for office.
2. Paying attention to research on what the public thinks about basic issues.
3. Realizing that “the right to bear arms” was based on a specific historical period, and today should include licensing.
4. Accept that the right to life should include medically supervised abortion exceptions.
5. Easy access for all voters.
6. Constitution and democracy-affirming candidates.
7. Outright rejection of autocracies and dictatorships.
8. Immigration planning appropriate for a nation of immigrants.
9. Rejection of white supremacy.
10. Support for public education.

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As described in the previous post (Lesson 643) the Texas Democratic Party should form an integrated marketing and communication (IMC) task force. It should recruit the most experienced and educated members possible. Their tasks should include:

1. Strategic planning, communication, media relations, and advertising content.
2. They should select an overall theme, sub-themes (top issues), and build an action plan.
3. They should recruit the best possible candidates, and then help them find resources… people and money.

An overall theme might be something like: “Real Texas Values”

Sub-themes or priority issues could include:…

1. “Voting rights…” easy access for all voters.

2. “Right to life…” should include life-saving and reasonable abortion exceptions. Possibly even funding for childcare.

3. “Gun safety” Polls clearly show that most Americans (even gun owners) think the right to bear arms should include gun registration (maybe even licensing) and a ban on military-style weapons.

Surpluses in Texas can easily fund these activities… without affecting proposed property tax reductions.

We must simply return to freedom-affirming genuine Texas values.

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Before I retired I taught media at TCU and eventually became its communication officer. The university world had become extremely competitive, and I saw a way to “market it” by developing a brand identity that was truly authentic.

I believed that every institution was founded because of an unmet need in the community, and that focus groups could be used to identify those original needs. Upon this foundation the group could now build an authentic, completely unique brand.

The components of that brand might include physical location, curricular features, subject-matter strengths, even architecture style and colors.

An opinion leader marketing taskforce would now be formed to develop a marketing plan… which would include administrators, faculty, students, local journalists, alumni, and trustees.

This same process can be adapted to market political candidates, nonprofits, governments, and most any other kind of organization.

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