The 2024 presidential race is expected to be close, but it shouldn't be, particularly given the widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration and their Marxist trajectory.
Most Americans believe the nation is moving in the wrong direction, polls say, with dissatisfaction spanning party lines. A July poll from The Center Square reported that 65% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, while a Public Religion Research Institute survey from late 2023 found that 77% of Americans hold this view.
These polls indicate that most Americans oppose the anti-liberty and anti-God agenda promoted by the left. Instead, they align with values commonly associated with conservative ideals, such as the American dream, national pride, the nuclear family, faith in God and respect for our founding principles.
If these polls accurately reflect American sentiment, why are conservatives struggling to secure support from 70% or even 50% of these dissatisfied voters?
The answer is simple: Conservatives have an image and messaging problem.
An image problem refers to what people think about you before they have a chance to hear you speak, whereas a messaging problem pertains to their perceptions after they’ve heard you. We can’t solve the messaging problem until we first tackle the image problem.
Conservative Image Problem
Due to conservative missteps, particularly during the 1964 Goldwater presidential campaign, and the left working in cahoots with the mainstream media, the conservative brand has been effectively destroyed.
I don't like giving Saul Alinsky any credit, but he was accurate when he wrote in his 1971 book, "Rules for Radicals," "He who controls the language controls the masses." This is precisely what the left has been doing all these years – controlling language and redefining the word "conservative" to carry racist and Nazi connotations, leading to widespread unpopularity.
In the Black community, the word "conservative" is culturally ingrained to mean racist. This allows the left to exploit the political landscape by falsely labeling all conservatives as racist, sellouts or Uncle Toms. Such tactics undermine the character of conservatives, fostering disdain among voters, giving the left a significant political advantage.
Playing the race card renders everything conservatives say seemingly insignificant or deceitful. This dynamic is a crucial factor in the tight presidential race.
Conservatives could gain valuable insights by examining the ministry of the Apostle Paul, whose approach offers lessons on engaging diverse groups.
The Apostle Paul: A Diversity Engagement Specialist
As a result of his Damascus Road conversion, the Apostle Paul was called and commissioned by God to spread the gospel to the Gentiles – people of diverse ethnicities. Before this, however, Paul was infamous for being a bloodthirsty persecutor of Christians.
Aware of his past history, Christians trembled at the mention of his old name, Saul. This mirrors the challenges conservatives face today, particularly among the Black community, young people and women, who are taught to view conservatives negatively.
How did the Apostle Paul overcome the negative perception that Gentiles had of him to achieve success in fostering the early growth of the church?
As both a Jew and a Roman citizen, Saul gained acceptance and influence by adopting his Roman name, Paul, which was more appealing to the Gentiles. Despite his notorious reputation, Paul reshaped his image and built relationships. This name change was a strategic move indicating his personal transformation.
Similarly, conservatives need to rebrand themselves to regain trust and improve their standing with the American people. Conservatives should adopt the name “Frederick Douglass Republicans” to move beyond the racist and Nazi connotations associated with the term “conservative.” This strategic move, if executed authentically, will affirm their enlightenment and transformation.
Consider the case of Guy LaLonde, a 56-year-old white U.S. Navy veteran and small business owner, who recently won a seat on the Lakeland, Fla. City Commission, a position held by Black Democrats for 55 years. Running as a Republican and campaigning on the Life-Empowering Values™ of Frederick Douglass, LaLonde won 57.58% of the votes in a runoff election held in December 2023.
Post-election, LaLonde proactively engaged with the Black community by organizing a meeting with local Black business owners, community leaders, NAACP members, neighborhood watch leaders and pastors. The meeting, attended by 50 to 60 participants, was an opportunity for LaLonde to reintroduce himself, address community concerns, and propose regular discussions on key issues. His efforts were well received, culminating in a standing ovation when he quoted Frederick Douglass: “I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”
Douglass’ name commands respect with most Americans, making “Frederick Douglass Republican” an impactful name replacement. By doing so, conservatives can counteract the negative perceptions which have increased over the years.
Furthermore, conservatives should leverage Douglass’ liberty message, much like President Abraham Lincoln did. This approach focuses on expressing conservative values through the lens of Douglass, resonating across demographics. It emphasizes values such as individual responsibility, economic empowerment and the limited power of government. By integrating this strategy, conservatives can broaden their appeal and demonstrate that conservatives are not racists or traitors to their community.
The presidential race doesn't have to be tight if conservatives rebrand themselves. By learning from the Apostle Paul's ministry, conservatives can work on improving their image, coupling this with a unifying liberty message inspired by Douglass, thus turning the tide in their favor and addressing the deep-seated negative perceptions that have developed over the years.
To contact KCarl or request a speaking engagement, go to www.kcarlinc.com The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819News.com.
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