BOBBEE BEE: TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PARTISAN WARFARE

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF PARTISAN WARFARE 1.KEEP IT SIMPLE

A long-winded, complex, nuanced argument is a guaranteed ticket to disaster. To be effective, you need to be able to fit your basic message on a bumper sticker.

2. PERSONALIZE THE ISSUE.
Don’t talk about issues in an abstract way. Persuade by talking in terms of how issues impact people, relate your own experience, and highlight your opponents’ self interest (e.g show them how Democratic policies mean better-paying jobs, cleaner air or cheaper anti-psychotic drugs.

3.FRAME THE ARGUMENT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Make your case by presenting each issue according to your beliefs and values, not theirs. Never, for example, let a sanctimonious conservative lecture you about what real American values are.

4.FIND COMMON GROUND
5.EXPOSE HYPOCRISY
Nothing undermines an argument faster than exposing hypocritical behavior, contradictory statements, and wholesale fakery-either on the part of your opponents or the part of the politicians they’re defending.

6. EXUDE CONFIDENCE

Always project the courage of your convictions.

7. DON’T SERMONIZE

No one likes to be lectured to, and no one likes a self-righteous windbag. Ranting from atop your soapbox will only harden your opponent’s position and make him or her more hostile. If you’ve made an enemy, you haven’t won an argument.

8.MAKE YOUR OPPONENT LAUGH

Humor can be potent weapon in political debate. Making humorous observations and demonstrating an ability to laugh at yourself-will help disarm your opponents and keep them engaged.

9. BE OPENED MINED

It’s the civilty, stupid. Be prepared to listen respectfully and concede a point or two before moving in for the kill. You can learn a lot from people with whom you disagree-even those you believe to be outrageously misguided –and fine tune your arguments in the process.
10.PICK BATTLES YOU CAN WIN

Don’t expend too much energy trying to win over a staunch conservative. You’d have better luck trying to coax a rock to grow. Target the fence-sitters and the more easily converted.
List created by Daniel Kurtzman from his hiliarious book "How to Win A Fight With a Conservative