Only the Dull and Stupid Fight Head-on: Some Strategic Thoughts

[LoZoccolo]

Believe it or not, that's not my title. It's from the author of The 48 Laws of Power, from his blog:

Lure them into an unreasonable position: In a fight in which both sides seem deadlocked, the temptation is to rely on 'bunker mentality,' and hold on to your position no matter what the cost. Your emotions and pride become engaged and trump your reasoning powers. The best way out is to seemingly give in to the form of your opponent's argument, while controlling the substance. You come up with an alternative that incorporates their ideas, but in a way that serves your interests in the long-run. You control the options, but it appears you are giving in, being reasonable. If they still hold their ground, they are revealed to be unreasonable, only interested in power. It is a soft form of counterattack.

http://www.powerseductionandwar.com/archives/only_the_dull_a.phtml

Someone else posted a thread that said that if we wanted a liberal version of Bush*, we voted for the wrong man. I'd agree with that. We want someone smarter than Bush*. That person is Obama.

[Occam Bandage]

1. And that would be entirely what has just happened. nt

[LoZoccolo]

3. True; we are letting them act stupid, the Republicans. n/t

[leftstreet]

2. But you have to start out with a viable opponent

The Republicans r toast right now

Reaganomics r dead

:shrug:

[Occam Bandage]

5. ...

[damonm]

6. Ahh, but you see...

THEY don't know that. So Obama will "force" them to entrench themselves further into a losing position. Soon they WILL be as obsolete as you think they are.

[DevonRex]

4. Excellent piece. Thank you. Obama is doing exactly what that author

describes. :hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

7. As someone else here at DU said, Obama is playing chess while the repukes are still playing checkers