Messaging for Republicans: What I Sent to GOP Leaders

You are leaders in Michigan’s political arena. As you move forward to build the gap between grassroots and the “establishment”, please consider the following talking points for messaging and communication strategies. I implore you. After 20 years of serving in statewide politics, with a passion for good communication, I have observed our side drop the ball in a massive way. But if we can recalibrate from this moment forward, we can make incredible gains for the future. 

ADDRESSING RINOS
Many of today’s grassroots activists consider Republicans In Name Only a classification of the lowest status and respect. It is most frequently shortened to RINOS and tossed around with animosity and abhorrence by the grassroots. It feels like most who use it don’t completely understand the process of how politics work, believe whatever they read or hear online, and take things out of context in the greatest measure. Many well intentioned activists are new to the process and have done very little to understand the official arena by walking in the shoes of experience. 

Some will consider it hard truth, but I argue it is all truth nonetheless. 

Believe me, it is very easy to get annoyed and dismiss their ongoing criticism. To those of us who have existed with blood, sweat, tears, prayers, and grit for a long time in this space, doing our very best to stand for truth and freedom, fight for the sanctity of life, build relationships to be more effective in the long run, repair bridges instead of setting off landmines, and seek to understand before we assume to know it all - it is very painful to be constantly mis-understood and demonized. 

However, in spite of their lack of understanding and the overuse of the name it is important to not overlook and ignore the growing cacophony of their criticism.

Instead I would advise that we need to let them know we hear them. We can acknowledge their barbs hurt, we feel they do not understand, but they need to know we acknowledge their own frustration. And then we need to be leaders and change the conversation - or narrative paradigm. Let it go something like this:

PROBLEM: What is a RINO? Republican in Name Only 

SOLUTION: Following are some thought out answers that could help change the narrative and offer clarification. 

• “If I may, let me pose a clarifying point: America is a nation of the people, by the people, for the people.” 
  
• “To citizens who have been sitting on the sidelines for decades, doing nothing but claiming the GOP party yet not being involved in the process beyond voting, perhaps they are the “RINOS” - Republicans in Name Only - we should be most worried about. Wouldn’t you agree?” 
  
• “This nation was never meant to be rallied around a party. A party is and never will be the answer. America’s success is based on the participation of citizens, engaged in every element of civics. 
  
• “Sadly, for too long citizens have washed their hands or played the critic on the sideline not realizing how significant their involvement is: attending school board meetings, serving on Township committees, tuning into City Council meetings, speaking up at County Commission meetings, and volunteering to get candidates elected.”
  
• “So when newcomers point fingers at those of us who have been in the arena for a while, we will be reminding them, they are the RINOS that have the greatest responsibility. They are the ones who have been MIA. They are the ones who they should be concerned about - not the few who are in politics for the wrong reasons. 
  
• “It’s easy to point fingers at someone who has been doing the task that should have been theirs all along.
  
• “We look forward to all Americans looking in the mirror to see those who have the greatest responsibility are staring right back at them.”  
  

It is beyond time that we help reframe the narrative and push back on these empty bullish tactics by those who know very little about how the arena works, have served no longer than 2 seconds in the arena and many are more interested in throwing verbal punches than rolling up their sleeves to be part of the process and learn through a mentor what they do not yet know. 

I am tired of my side taking the position of the silent victim. It is time we understand our audience, listen to them, and then clarify our position. And in the few situations that the title RINO is justified to those who serve in the marketplace of politics, it is completely justified for them to be replaced in the next election by someone who is more committed to the principles and ideals of the Republican Party. 

Watch for my next message for those who criticize The Establishment. 

-Amy Hawkins (Jackson Michigan) is a small business owner with 20 years in statewide politics, movement building, and inspiring action for civic engagement. 

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