When Newt Gingrich scolded CNN’s John King at the South Carolina debate, he didn’t just stand up to the media; he smacked down the Saul Alinsky method. When a candidate does that, he can deliver a knockout blow to Barack Obama, Alinsky’s prized ideological protege.
Take a look at Rule number five of the Alinsky method in Rules for Radicals, which states:
Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon. It’s hard to counterattack ridicule, and it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage.
This is exactly what King attempted to do by bringing up the charges made by Newt’s ex-wife in an interview with ABC’s Brian Ross. Did King infuriate Gingrich by asking the question right out of the gate? Yes. Did Gingrich react to King’s advantage? Absolutely not. He channeled the fury of conservatives and delivered a counterattack squarely on the jaw of a liberal media bully; King had been stunned in epic fashion.
Conservatives know that the mainstream media is running interference for Barack Obama while attempting to portray objectivity. Gingrich exposed this dynamic thoroughly and with perfect timing, by making the charge as that reality was on full display for all to see. He connected the dots as the offense was being committed. The more King attempted to hit Gingrich, the more forcefully the former was beaten back by the latter.
One day after the debate, another CNN reporter – Erin Burnett – attempted to wound Gingrich with Rule number five of the Alinsky method. She asked him to respond to charges that he was hypocritical by going after president Bill Clinton in the 1990′s during the Monica Lewinsky scandal, while he was committing similar indescretions. The question was intended to trap Gingrich but it did the opposite; his response made Burnett look foolish for not seeing the clear line of distinction. Clinton committed a felony by perjuring himself; Gingrich did no such thing. Burnett wilted and reacted to Gingrich’s advantage.
Rule number five of the Alinsky Method includes a premise that says the target will be placed on defense whenever it’s used. When that happens, the rule works. However, when the target effectively goes on offense, the rule backfires. No other candidate has demonstrated this ability. Sarah Palin seemed to have some of it in 2008 but she was muzzled by her running mate, who was clueless and instructed his campaign not to go after Obama over Jeremiah Wright, which was exactly the wrong thing to do.
There is a narrative afoot that says Mitt Romney is the only candidate who can beat Obama. The media seems to be perfectly willing to echo it. Why would it do so if it is interested in getting Obama reelected? The answer is simple; the Obama camp wants to face Romney. Once Romney gets the nomination, he will be the target of Alinsky’s method rule number five and he has shown no indication that he is capable of overcoming its intended effect. He’s already said he won’t call Obama a socialist. By not telling the truth about Obama, Romney will be an ideal target for ridicule; he will succumb to rule number five and he will react to Obama’s advantage.
Barack Obama will have untold amounts of money at his disposal when he faces the eventual nominee. He will spend a great deal of that money implementing Alinsky’s method rule number five; it’s part of his wiring. It’s simply not enough for the Republican Party to nominate a person who can neutralize rule number five; it needs someone who can reverse its intended effect.
It must nominate someone who can Newtralize Alinsky method rule number five.
Ben Barrack is a talk show host on KTEM 1400 in Texas and maintains a website at benbarrack.com
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Two things I’d like to address. First, Saul Alinsky from my understanding is Jewish much like George Soreass is. They BOTH are traitors of and to their race. Saul, the ancient King of Israel, chased David, the man after God’s own heart, relentlessly attempting to kill him. Modern day Saul is trying to kill America through OJUDAS. Secondly, America needs to get personality and charisma OUT of this election. It’s far too important for those silly notions. We have an opportunity to reclaim all that America was by electing Newt Gingrich as President. We MUST at all cost stay focused on WHAT IS BEST FOR AMERICA. I could care less what Newt has done in his private life, that’s none of my business. He will have to answer for any indescretions he may have done. Right now America is hemorrhaging and I believe that Newt is the doctor on call. I would also like to see Newt pick Allen West as his running mate. That would strike fear in the hearts of every liberal in the country and would assure that WE THE PEOPLE get our country back. If you haven’t figured it out by now Romney is nothing more than OJUDAS LITE or WHITE as the case may be. Ron Paul needs to start looking for a nursing home with bars on the windows. I do not want to allow myself to become entangled in personality contest in this election. It is apparent what happens when that is allowed to happen. All you have to do to figure that out is look at the white house. Elect Newt and I promise you will be glad you did.
I couldn’t have said it any better myself, brother!
I agree. Apparently the media is frustrated because they are still pushing Romney, but Romney is killing himself by his deceitful attacks on Newt. More than once he has suggested that Gingrich is “potentially criminal” and mentions an “ethics violation”. Romney’s people know that is a lie because it’s a matter of public record. Newt was accused of 84 different ethics violations during a witch hunt, BUT he was exonerated on all counts by the committee as well as the IRS. Romney lies about Newt being fined $300,000. Newt volunteered to pay half the cost of the investigation, and since he was cleared of any wrongdoing, there was NO fine assessed.
I understand mudslinging and “dirty politics”, but if Romney is willing to lie that easily, he isn’t any better than the present occupier of the White House.
I agree with Eddie!! I believe Romney has some good qualities, but we have an unusual opponent in the WH. He will lie continually and I think Newt is the only one who can quickly respond to his “inaccuracies” and show him up for what he is. I think the WH is desperate to run against Romney for that reason. Although I think it will be tough for Newt to fight the old battles of his Speakership and they will hammer him with the old “ethics” events and his personal life, but hopefully he will be able to react positively with explanations most people will accept. We need a tough candidate…a REALLY TOUGH CANDIDATE!!! We need to keep the focus on that!!
Ok let me tell you my observation on this GOP process, the majority politicians will sell their souls to get to the office and when they get what they want they betray the same people who helped them to get their position. I see it very clear with Obama and since a lot of people made sure that public did not know much about the guy’s past and covered up his entire life story: his school records, his fake birth certificate and the list is going on and on. And sure enough as soon as Obama got to the White House he had a lot of favors to repay, and we see in case with Solyndra and that disaster, Nancy Pelosi’s brother-in-law who got hundreds of millions in loan for another solar company and that list is going on and on. They all owned him and he has so much dirt on them so they keep silence to make sure they keep their warm spot in administration and suck up all the money they can from taxpayers. I see exactly the same in Romney, the republican establishment is so convinced that he is the guy and they spear no expenses to push him on us, but we resist the man. Sorry but he does not represent the interests of the middle class family. He cannot even relate to the middle class, every comment he makes is insulting to an average American. And I sure do not want to see another man in a White House who has a lot of favors to repay for getting there. Let’s us, Americans, decide who we want to be our president. Where would Romney be without his super PAC money? Would he even win a state without destroying the opponent? I am so tired of establishment telling Newt to quit, I say shut up and let the man to deliver the message on how to turn this economy on how to deal with media and a radical president. I love Newt Gingrich and see no alternative to him in this race. I would consider Allen West if he runs, but he is not. But can you imagine if it would be Newt and West on a ticket? OMG! It would be a nightmare for liberals to see two great men with a vision and love for this country to make a difference in our corrupted government and our broken judiciary system. I applaud Newt for fighting for this race. I admire this man for resisting establishment, I see a leader and I am proud to support this man.