WInning the Battles Ahead by Karl Rove

Winning the Battles Ahead

By Karl Rove

O

ver the past held the upper hand. year, I have It seemed liberal engaged health care reform thousands of was inevitable. Even young people the public favored it while visiting by more than twostudent audiences to-one, with support nationwide through particularly strong Young America’s among seniors.

Foundation’s campus Yet conservatives lecture program. in Congress and College campuses outside were not are often hostile for deterred. Rather conservatives and than staying silent conservative ideas, or acquiescing but they provide to the actions of tremendous venues the new President for introducing and his Congress, young people to conservatives conservative ideas— actually read the principles that have bills being proposed advanced freedom and turned a bright and prosperity light on obnoxious Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush and popular campus lecturer Karl throughout our provisions.

Rove offers words of wisdom to Foundation activists at a 2009 program in Washington, D.C. nation’s history.

In the face of The Conservative the President’s high Movement has enjoyed numerous victories these past few approval ratings immediately after his inauguration months, and I offer my thoughts on our achievements— and the natural desire of Americans to give a new particularly in regard to the health care debate—below.

Chief Executive the chance to press his agenda, it Recent events show why we must step up our took courage to oppose him, but oppose they did with efforts to reach young people with the ideas of limited respect, patient attention to the facts, and relentless government, traditional values, free enterprise, and a energy. strong a national defense. Young America’s Foundation Fortunately, liberals had ill-prepared the country for does just that, and it is an honor to partner with this such a radical change. Instead, candidate Obama had organization to advance our shared cause. run television ads that called “government-run health Despite Congress’ recent actions, conservatives won care…extreme.” a tremendous battle for public opinion on health care.

So when liberals said people could keep their existing This provides valuable lessons—and important coverage if they like it, conservatives showed the warnings—for the resurgence of our movement’s ideals legislation would encourage companies to dump their in the 21st century. existing plans.

Last spring, a popular new president and When liberals claimed legislation would lead to overwhelming Democratic majorities in both houses better care, conservatives explained it would result in

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Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

rationing, long lines, and poorer And conservatives made a conquality of care. vincing case that ending junk and When liberals argued reform frivolous lawsuits with medical would extend coverage to more liability reform would reduce the Americans, conservatives pointed cost of health care for everyone. out it would come at the cost Conservatives advanced our of every other family’s existing ideas with a one-two punch: arrangements. describing in detail what was When liberals implied their wrong with the liberal prescription measure would not add to the and then drawing on conservative deficit, conservatives showed it was principles of individual freedom, built on a house of gimmicks that competition, and markets to would surely generate a flood of describe a better way. Despite the red ink. passage of the President’s health When liberals suggested it care bill, conservatives must strengthened the power of patients, continue to fight this important conservatives demonstrated it battle for freedom. instead gave more power to It’s hard to be something with government at the expense of nothing: conservatives opposed patients, families, and their doctors. health care by thoughtful and When liberals implied it would passionate advocacy, not simply be financed by taxes paid by drug against wrong-headed liberal companies and medical device ideas, but also for answers arrived “Conservatives advanced manufacturers, conservatives at by applying our timeless pointed out that patients who conservative principles to the our ideas with a one-two needed those drugs and devices challenges America faces. would pay the higher taxes.

It’s a strategy worth using in the punch: describing in detail This helped flip public opinion many fights we have ahead. what was wrong with the to opposing the liberal change by ———————————————— two-to-one. But as importantly, Rove served as senior advisor liberal prescription and then toKarl when liberals said conservatives President George W. Bush from had no ideas or constructive 2000 to 2007 and deputy chief drawing on conservative proposals, we were ready with of staff from 2004 to 2007. He principles of individual our own attractive reforms, based is now a Fox News contributor, solidly on conservative principles. writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall freedom, competition, Conservatives advocated Street Journal, and is a Newsweek and markets to describe making health insurance truly columnist. He is also a member portable, so workers aren’t stuck of Young America’s Foundation’s a better way.” in a job they hate for fear of campus lecture program. losing benefits, but can take their His memoir, Courage and coverage with them.

Consequence: My Life as a Conservatives argued families should be able to save Conservative in the Fight (Threshold Editions), is on sale more money tax-free for out of pocket medical expenses now. For more information, visit Karl online at www. and pair a health savings account with a low-cost, high Rove.com. You can also connect with him on Twitter deductible insurance policy. (@karlrove) or on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ Conservatives pointed out that allowing people to KarlRove). buy insurance across state lines and permitting small To inquire about bringing Karl Rove to your campus, businesses to pool risk to get the same discounts big contact Patrick X. Coyle at 800-USA-1776 or pcoyle@ companies receive would expand access and lower yaf.org. costs.

Young America’s Foundation • Libertas

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