"Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your email..."

One of our most agreed upon observations within the Bund is the administration's inability to communicate its successes - especially our war efforts. In 1941, days into our declaration of War with Japan and then Germany, it occurred to Roosevelt's administration that a PR, then described as "propaganda", department was necessary. This when less then 25% of households had televisions; and daily newspapers, along with the pre-main attraction news reels, were the main source of information. Even prior to that in WWI Wilson had an army of 200,000 men sent about the country to "talk up" the war in local communities and with local newspaper editors. Again, this was deemed important even when up to the minute information was nonexistent and citizens marveled at the wonders of "talkies"- movies with sound. Fast forward to Vietnam, and the images broadcast back home of our servicemen in theater were used as propaganda for the anti-war left, another lesson in war time PR. Now, with that historical table set, knowing even when information was scarce and hard to come buy in the early years of the 20th century, wartime CIC's fundamentally understood the need to get "good news" out (WWI & II), combined with the clear example that your detractors can and will use television images to attack you (Vietnam), how can you, as a war time president in 2001 through 2008, COMPLETELY and UTTERLY ignore that aspect of war waging???

USA Today has in today's edition a story explaining that roadside bombs in Iraq have decreased 90% since the full implementation of the surge. 90%. If you're the president and you get news like that, you don't wait for people to pick up the paper. You alert all the major television networks that you want 15 minutes of prime time space and tell the nation yourself. And do that with EVERY major piece of good news. You use email blasts, you award medals of honor on television, the Internet and podcastsed during prime time. You make an Iraqi with the ink stained thumb a postage stamp, have a prime time 9/11 memorial each year, (and show the images) and use that bully pulpit like the mallet it is! How can Wilson, when people still employed the Pony Express in some areas of the nation for goodness sake, understand that aspect of war making, and this president, with communication marvels that would dazzle even the Yankee in King Arthur's Court, not use what is at his fingertips - LITERALLY! Hell, even on the streets of Rome public "announcers" would in dramatic fashion describe the exploits and many success of the Caesar's and commanders in the battle field. Drumming up domestic support has been the hallmark of every successful campaign since time and memorial. But of course, this is an old complaint of ours, and Bush has clearly chosen an "act and let history judge" course. Unfortunately I don't think he understands that "news" is the first draft of history, and you only get one "first."

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A curious aside ... why such disdain for Ridge Titus? I'm not defending him, I just don't recall his name raising any one's ire within our group. A rather bland politician I remember with the single distinction of being the first Homeland Security Secretary. And I've changed my prediction from Crist to Romney with Jindal as a dark horse long shot. Obama? Well, Fidel's retired and has time on his hands now, then they can have an all Marxist ticket ...he,he.

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A prize you say? .... For a new form of energy? .... Perhaps the Bund is read within the halls of power after all? This from The Washington Post today:
The Arizona senator proposed a $300 million prize for whoever can develop a better automobile battery, and $5,000 tax credits for consumers who buy new zero-emission vehicles. The latest proposal is in addition to his support for overturning the federal ban on offshore oil drilling.

"In the quest for alternatives to oil, our government has thrown around enough money subsidizing special interests and excusing failure. From now on, we will encourage heroic efforts in engineering, and we will reward the greatest success," McCain said in a speech at Fresno State University.

Put me in charge of your campaign John, errr sir (he earned that title). From war time success, to energy, to social issues, to fiscal policy, I will tap my renewable resource, we call it The Driveway Bund, and you'll be 20 points ahead of Obama before he can even slap a borrowed flag pin on his lapel.... and that's a promise.