All week I've been trying to go to Chick-fil-A. Not due to the boycott or the counter-boycott. I've been trying to eat.
The crowds the past few days have been so big there have been traffic cops in the parking lot directing cars. Tonight, the crowds were so large, not only could I not get into Chick-fil-A, I couldn't get into the shopping center where it's located.
These folks were there to support Chick-fil-A. Most, if not all, are conservative. Duh, Ron.
But it got me thinking. In the 2010 elections conservatives surprised the pundits by turning out unexpectedly in droves. Since then, they, and the Tea Party along with them, have been pretty quiet.
The prevailing political theory this year seems to be that turnout is key for both parties. Today, the First Lady was in North Carolina to encourage turnout, as was President Obama in Ohio.
Could the Chick-fil-A controversy turn out to the be conservative "black swan" event that motivates laconic Republican voters to get to the polls?
A "black swan" event has two main characteristics. First, it comes out of nowhere. Second, it changes everything. A good example is the man in Tunisia in 2011 who, in protest, immolated himself, and in doing so ignited the Arab Spring.
The Chick-fil-A controversy certainly came out of nowhere, and now it's leading the news, is at the top of the page on Google News, and is all over the national networks.
Does this event have the ability to change things in a "black swan" fashion?
Let me offer up a reason it might. In 2006 I was involved in the Wal-Mart wars, as I made a pro-WalMart movie and got caught up in the national controversy surrounding the retailer. I became friends with a few of the national anti-WalMart protest organizers. One night over drinks, I asked a few of them "Why? Why pick on a store? Why are you spending a year of your young careers doing this?"
Here's what I was told. "It's not about Wal-Mart. It's about rallying the Democratic base a year in advance of the general election in 2008." WalMart touched all the liberal hot buttons: union rights, low wages, and health care. It made sense, and it worked.
Curiously, there was never a grassroots effort that sprung forth from conservatives to defend WalMart. WalMart's PR firm at the time invented some phony astroturfing support, but in reality there never was never a groundswell of support for the retailer, which surprised me given the makeup of the typical WalMart shopper.
This is clearly not the case with Chick-fil-A. People started jamming the stores on their own in support even before Huckabee and Palin got involved. And they are pissed. They've had enough. The tipping point has been tipped. Rahm Emanuel et al may have been too clever by a half in making Chick-fil-A an issue, because if people are motivated enough to wait in line an hour (even in Chicago!) for a sandwich in order to send a message, they just might be motivated enough to stand in line at the polls to send another message.
The Chick-fil-A controversy has clearly, absolutely, motivated the conservative base, just as the WalMart wars did for liberals. The best thing President Obama could do for to defuse this right now is to walk into a Chick-fil-A and order a #1 with sweet tea. Liberals would understand, and conservatives would lose what has become an explosive rallying cry. And if President Obama likes the fast food mecca The Varsity in Atlanta (which he does), he'll love the place.
Follow Ron Galloway on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rongalloway
I'll not partake in the madness either way but I do like eating at Chick-Fil-A. I also go to movie theaters.
Is this wrong?
Americans are awakening to the reality that their freedoms are in danger, and are finally standing up for their first amendment rights of religion and speech, before it's too late.
www.flickr.com/photos/84145057@N04/7703135998/in/photostream/
Let's all wake up as citizens of this great country and demand that our politicians start working on the substantive issues such as the national debt, poverty, unemployment...
"For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do."
I read/watch a lot of media. A lot of voters voted for a "historic" President are actually talking about REAL issues. Mr. Obama revealed himself utterly with the "You didn't build that." It was like a slap in peoples faces--and now they are looking at his background....the facts....there are several books out now that detail his real background and influences. The MSM didn't vet him, but people see the job numbers, their friends out of work for years, their underwater mortgage and the abandoned houses on THEIR street.
First it was the "You didn't build that." Then the mayors of major cities trying to turn the Constitution on it's ear, then the grassroots day of support of Chick Fil A. I don't think some on the Left know just how awake the country is. All the angry victim groups...American's see Obama whipping them up. They can feel the anger in these groups--and it's an eye opener.
Now, Reid and his taunting Romney about tax returns. He sounds like a man being blackmailed. And he has a lot to be blackmailed with. Don't believe me, just do 5 minutes of googling. Why else would he make such an utter fool of himself? He said these baseless, slanderous claims on the house of the Senate for God's sake.
To be honest, you're entitled to your opinions. But to compare this lone event to 2006's stand for WalMart's labor policies is a gross exaggeration of the "powers of social media." People will not show up in droves for the election (especially those in PA, thanks to their constituents instituting a ridiculous voter law), because there won't be FOOD involved. If the polls start selling pulled pork sandwiches, there may be a chance. But people care about IMMEDIATE end results.
Take a look at the "KONY 2012" Facebook debacle. Very few wrote to their senators, asking for what their opinion may be on the next course of action. Instead, they proudly shared videos and stayed at their computers. Why? Because they would get NOTHING out of the immediate end result. At least at Chick-Fil-A, people were making a statement while stuffing their faces.
See you in November.
Chik Fil A just cost Barack and his consigliere Rahm Emmanuel (Chicken Salesman of the Year!) their jobs.
People are awake.
Good luck in November. It's going to be a landslide...not so much for the election of Romney....more the firing of the worst President in American history.
The Left is looking particularly desperate with Harry Reid. Wow. Slandering a decent man ON THE SENATE FLOOR? That's quite a low spot you have sunk to Mr. Reid. He must be being blackmailed--he is looking unstable and silly. And this guy is up at the top of the list to take over the Presidency in an emergency?????
The tax return harangue is looking like that is all they have on Romney. They have spent most of their $$$ on media already. What do they have left to smear Romney with? That, at 12 he didn't return a library book and didn't pay the fine?
Romney, on the other hand, just has to focus on NOW. The President's achievements and record. Those debates (which I wonder how Axlerod and Company are trying to get down to only ONE and that one be stacked with the standard water carriers like Stephy) are going to be something. Mr. Obama is in deep, deep trouble.
Obama inherited the problems from the Bush (R) era. And for the term he has been in office he has had to deal with a do nothing congress who just went on a 5 week vacation.
The economy is bad because of our do nothing congress.Obama got Sadam H. and Ben Larden (sp) and has been bring troops home.Employment is starting to improve and he save the auto industry. He also wants people to pay their fair share in taxes. i.e. the 1%. legnotsothrilled thinks Romney is the answer. I think his leg along with the rest of him has gone to sleep like congress.