A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand

If there is one thing I've learned since my first campaign in the early 1990s is that state politics isn't bean bag, and I do not have all the answers. But, let it be said, that no longer can the MA GOP campaign in just 75% of the Commonwealth and expect 51% of the vote.

Two years ago, (after the 2010 Gubernatorial Cycle), Malden City Councilor David D'Arcangelo and I initiated a conversation for CHANGE. Our goal 24 months ago, was to develop a detailed, game-plan on how BEST to RE-ORGANIZE, with more effective campaign strategies that WINS MORE ELECTIONS.   

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/03/19/to_survive_the_party_needs_a_new_playbook/?camp=misc%3Aon%3Ashare%3Aarticle 

There is an ancient Chinese Proverb which says: “May he live in interesting times.” Like it or not, we live in interesting times. Therefore, I am announcing my candidacy for Executive Director/Co-Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.

Similar to the successful, teamwork model followed by Former (R) Governors Weld and Cellucci, I am joined in this race by my friend and colleague, David D'Arcangelo who has been elected in the City of Malden, with only 5% of voters being registered Republicans.

From our point of view, there is so much work that needs to be done, no quick fixes, we are concerned less about our titles than we are about tackling the enormous amount of work that lies ahead.  At the outset, no single activist, no candidate or volunteer be marginalized.  No longer can the various sub-groups or factions be greater than the sum of our parts.

There simply are not enough of us to battle the Democrats by being divided or splintered or disregarded any longer.  A house divided against itself cannot stand. 

Our ultimate goal is diligently replicating David’s local success statewide, and over time, restoring Massachusetts as a viable, 2 party state, with Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers.  We are embarking on a sincere attempt to run our campaigns differently and more effectively.

We step forward, not to oppose any one person or group, but to offer new policies. The other (R) candidates running are our friends, colleagues and valued members of our Party. We look forward to this long overdue debate of how best to reform our tactics, our message and most importantly, our operations.  So, what should be our new campaign principles going forward?    

Well, here are some we believe in. All can be found a www.NewMassPlaybook.com

1. Compete Everywhere (The Metropolitan Boston/MBTA service map is a good place to start, as an example). We simply cannot lose large, geographic areas 90%-10% or worse any longer.

2. Own New State Issues (What are broad based public policy reforms or ballot questions that appeal to new Mass. voters beyond our base?)

3. Win The Youth Vote

4. Develop GOP Star Candidates and Operatives  (All candidates, their volunteers, and staff should be the MA GOP's loyal customers) 

Isn't it time we change the framing of our issues, the allocation of our finite campaign resources, and minority outreach at the MA GOP; to re-organize and win the battle of public opinion by going to ALL urban and suburban areas of the Commonwealth, by leading on the issue of school choice and public education, and by truly developing our grassroots over multiple election cycles?

We have a lot of work to do.  But, David and I know in our hearts things can get better. We want to use our 30+ years of combined MA political experience to make this next race for Chairman/woman of the MA Republican Party a positive turning point for years to come. 

Republican President Theodore Roosevelt once said: "Far better it is to dare mighty things, win glorious triumph's, even though checkered by failure. Than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither gain much nor dare greatly; for they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.  Because Life is a Great Adventure....and the worst of all fears is the fear of living." 

The MA Democrats will NOT STOP until the Commonwealth and America resemble a European Socialist Model - a framework only responsive to the narrow, special interest groups who continuously get them elected. Our charge is to be equal to the task. Our mission is to re-organize and rise above to meet the enormous challenges that lie ahead.

Will you join us?  We look forward to speaking to the MA State Committee members and all of you. We look ahead to moving beyond the 'Grey Twilight' that President Roosevelt (the one - even FDR looked up to) resisted with all his being.

Please visit www.DeanCavaretta.com andwww.NewMassPlaybook.com for more information. 

Happy Holidays,

David D'Arcangelo

Dean Cavaretta

http://www.facebook.com/#!/newmassplaybook

David D'Arcanagelo is a Malden City Councillor At Large. Dean Cavaretta is a MA Certified School Teacher and the 2012 (R) Candidate for State Senate in the Middlesex and Worcester District