Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1243IR // #c1243Synthesis

"That helped inspire my own mantra in the 2022 election cycle: If you care about democracy, talk about roads."

— In our words · Source: This Is the Plan (Ben Wikler)

[Use when]

You care most about a big principle and your audience cares about their daily problems.

[Why it matters]

A De Pere city council candidate ran against an opponent tied to a national scandal. She campaigned on eviction help and a highway connector project, and won. Voters trust candidates who talk about their lives, and the abstract stakes come through by contrast.

Filed under situations:When you need a yes and they’re not there yet

More from This Is the Plan

#c1233"Here’s the operating principle: All other things being equal, you’ll be most persuasive to the people with whom you have the closest…You want to change minds and are about to start with the widest, least personal channel available. #c1234"Keep a CONSTANT WATCH on the DOUBTFUL VOTERS, and from time to time have them TALKED TO by those IN WHOM THEY HAVE THE MOST CONFIDENCE."You need to win over a wavering group and are deciding who should deliver the message. #c1235"Whenever a new way to reach someone unsolicitedly and cheaply pops into existence—mail, texts, Facebook messages—it has a brief twinkling…Your team is excited about a new cheap outreach channel because early numbers look great.

Same situation, different book

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