For too long conservatives have allowed liberals to define us.

It really is that simple. Millions of people who hold common sense centrist to conservative views are put off from us because they believe the caricature presented by the MSM of our views.

Liberals give out talking points, the MSM picks them up and repeats them endlessly, and conservatives meekly try to defend themselves and lose the rhetorical war.

“Why do you want to kill trans people?”

“Why are you a Nazi?”

“Why are you a Putin-loving whore?”

“Why do you want to throw grandma out on the street?”

It’s tiring, and infuriating to see politicians stumble and fumble around trying to convince people that we are a bunch of racist buffoons who really do share the Left’s values, just not their methods.

That’s why I have been impressed by Ron DeSantis and Canadian conservative MP Pierre Poilievre. They refuse to concede the Left’s misrepresentations without scaring the average person. Trump is generally right about the MSM’s lying ways, but he tends to reinforce the center’s fear of him by using too much hyperbole. Most centrists find him distasteful, even when they agree with him.

Townhall (subscribe using the code SAVEAMERICA) just posted a great video of Polievre absolutely destroying a liberal hack without missing a beat, or even a bit of the apple he is eating.

Great smack down. More republicans need to start acting and talking like this when confronted with the typical hearsay from reporters

— Ron Arnone (@224RMA) October 17, 2023

“Some say” is the all-purpose phrase to sneak in the reporter’s view, and a simple “Who?” is enough to destroy them. Don’t defend. Don’t argue. Don’t shout. Just pivot to your message.

The accusations are absurd, so make them explain their absurd accusations. They can’t. No need to even counterpunch.

DeSantis’ superpower is his extreme competence, and given that Republicans like a more pugilistic approach his tactics make more sense here than they would in Canada. Canadians, on the other hand, demand a more muted “nice” approach, and Poilievre delivers his counterpunch in the most muted way possible while conceding not an inch.

As you all know I have mixed feelings about Trump. He doesn’t just shoot from the hip; he shoots at everybody indiscriminately, firing on automatic. All 3 understand that the MSM is the enemy of common sense; I just happen to think that DeSantis and Poilievre are better at undermining the credibility of the Leftists to the center and center-right.

Over the past few weeks I have come to believe that Trump has a decent chance of winning the 2024 election, mainly due to the utter incompetence of the Democrats. What I don’t yet believe and likely will not is that Trump can build an enduring coalition that survives him into the future. He is sui generis, and likes it that way. That is why he attacks other Republicans when he should ally with them.

No matter who wins in the US or Canada, the MSM will be wounded. Many of those wounds are self-inflicted, but the bleeding will be caused by smart conservatives who know how to strike back.

Of the three, Poilievre is, I believe, the best communicator; DeSantis the best at governing; and Trump the best at firing up the troops. Governing from Parliament is tough; firing up the troops is useful but insufficient; governing builds enduring coalitions.

That is why I am a DeSantis supporter, although were I Canadian I would be Poilievre’s biggest supporter. Should Trump be our nominee will crawl over broken glass to support him, but worry that his movement will die once he is done. His base of support is for him, not for a set of principles or a governing coalition. If it were he would be inviting America’s best governors to join him in transforming America into a beacon of hope.

Still, it is good to see all three taking the press down more than a few pegs. They are a vital component of the Left coalition, and taking them down is a good first step in reversing the decline.