By Matthew Hayward In the intricate dance of political strategy, the story of Michele Caldier's 26th legislative campaign in 2014 serves as a compelling case study. Tasked with the formidable challenge of unseating a Democratic incumbent who had held the seat for 14 years, Caldier's campaign was a testament to the power of strategic pragmatism in action. Despite criticisms of her moderate stance, Caldier's consistent support for Republican leadership in the House underscores a nuanced understanding of political realities. An ideologue supporting a moderate is a strategic choice, prioritizing the advancement of broader political goals over strict ideological alignment. This narrative is not merely about the outcomes of a single campaign but illuminates the broader implications of strategic voting in swing districts. My experience managing Caldier's campaign highlights the delicate balance between principle and pragmatism, a balance that is necessary in having success in...

If past actions by government union leadership are any indication, it's fair to assume unions will spend hundreds of millions of dollars targeting the presidential election and conservative candidates across the nation. Two big questions exist: 1.       Will labor unions change their model back toward the workplace issues the rank-and-file care about, or will they remain hyper-partisan political players? 2.      W ith public employees now having the option to cease all union dues payments, and organizations like the Freedom Foundation working 24/7 to make sure they're informed of their rights and able to exercise them, will government unions still be able to generate enough revenue by overcharging their members to make record donations? Let's travel back to 2017 to assess these questions. With the death of Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked 4-4 in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association . Had Scalia cast a tie-break...

Did the Tea Party really shut down the government? With the last federal shutdown behind us and the possibility of another one looming in the months to come, there is a lot of misunderstanding and blame-shifting going on. I hope to clear up the smoke and mirrors both parties, and the media throw up. Please understand there is a big difference between political theory and political reality (most of the time). I’m going to save us all time and myself some embarrassment by leaving out, for the most part, political reality. I’m not going to get into political reality because it is rarely taught in college or high school, and most people who are involved with politics or follow it closely are truly clueless about how things work. Let’s not pretend we are an informed public; instead, let’s ensure we all are on the same page with how things are supposed to work. In theory, how our government was designed to function “of the people, by the people, and for the people” is much b...

by Matthew Edward Hayward on Sunday, November 22, 2009 Preserving one's principles amidst political affairs presents a challenging undertaking. It necessitates a profound comprehension of the political mechanism and a reflective understanding of one's own values. Succumbing to political strategies that clash with personal beliefs marks a compromise of integrity. The prevailing sentiment in mainstream discourse suggests a necessity to capitulate for the sake of success. Politics, it is said, is the art of compromise. Yet, this does not imply the concession of values and honor. Drawing on Jefferson's ideal of "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations – entangling alliances with none,” the same wisdom might be applied to political pundits and party affiliations. Aligning one's principles with an erratic power structure geared towards manipulation is a trap to avoid. The 'big tent' philosophy might seem attractive if the intent is a pursuit o...