Today, the effectiveness of activism often depends on understanding the tactics needed to win. We all know what social media is. Most of my readers probably use it, but how effective is it?

Young, forward-thinking leaders of the conservative movement like James O’Keefe, Ben Shapiro and Stephen Crowder, catch attention of many young conservatives and a major reason is because, whether declaring it or not, they operate using Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals. The entire list can read here and a highlight is typed out below.

It’s easy to recognize the Left’s current guidebook and “Bible” is based on these rules. Today I’m highlighting only five of the rules below which conservatives can easily adapt into their political tactics with the Left. Just because the tactics are hard-hitting doesn’t make them wrong. From stories in the Bible like that of Abraham and David, to modern leaders like Robert Bruce and General Patton, tactics that are unusual or particularly sneaky aren’t wrong. They’re just smart and sometimes unorthodox.

Acting on these rules of power, control and communication can help conservative activists, leaders and bystanders to see how they can best combat progressive leaders we face daily. Whether it is confronting and exposing Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s hypocrisy in the recent alleged sexual abuse scandal, or preparing for the New Mexico legislative session.

A couple of an incident and how someone with Alinsky tactics responded are below:

• This past week Democrat consultant and former staffer for Governor MICHELLE Lujan Grisham, James Hallinan claims that Lujan Grisham had sexually and physically abused him. In response Governor Grisham accuses Hallinan of slander. Governor Lujan Grisham, has previously stated from her congressional office, “We must send a clear message to empower sexual assault survivors to tell their stories.” In another instance gubernatorial candidate Lujan Grisham demanded Lieutenant Governor candidate Michael Padilla end his campaign (and he did).
• Alinsky Tactic Response: Make Governor Lujan Grisham live up to her own standards that she set. Demand she call for Hallinan’s story to be heard as she did in the past. Demand that she not receive any new leadership roles and resign from any other leadership roles she holds. Rules used: 2, 4 & 8.

 

• Progressives try to carry and pass a legislative bill that places heavy restrictions on the mining industry in a small community. Legislators brazenly support the bill and the Governor gives her silent nod to the bill. A county commission meeting will be held and a resolution will be considered that opposes the legislative bill in Santa Fe.
• Alinsky Tactic Response: Call legislators, make a stink on Facebook and Twitter and threaten to run a competitive campaign against the bill’s sponsor. Put together a social media campaign that gets citizens to attend the commission meeting. Due to interest venue is changed to a larger building. Over a thousand people attend the commission meeting, it is reported on social media. The mainstream media reports that 700 people opposed the anti-mining industry bill and about 7 supported it. The legislators let the bill die. Rules used: 1, 2, 5, 8.

Call to action: Demand Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham treat her former campaign operative the same as she’d treat any other accuser if she were not being accused.

Tweet using these Twitter handles or talk about the incident on Facebook on Grisham’s Facebook page:

@Michelle4NM @GovMLG and demand answers from her consultant @dominicgabello. Make it personal and passionate, but still respectful and always use the #nmpol hashtag. You can also tag @SenPadilla and ask if why she has a different standard for him than for herself.

Read the rules for yourself:

RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.

RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.

RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity’s very credibility and reputation is at stake, because if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to chip away at the damage.)

RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (Pretty crude, rude and mean, huh? They want to create anger and fear.)

RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new. (Attack, attack, attack from all sides, never giving the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover and re-strategize.)