Well the gig is up!!! For almost a year now, we've pranced and preened about the PCREC and various streets holding signs and pounding our chest regarding how "WE" were going to clean house. Well, the establishment smiled and welcomed us in, but at the same time they backed their candidates. Now the time has come and it was time for us to show our hand. And what did the establishment see? They saw that we have a lot of bark, but absolutely no bite. They observed that they can win races without us!! That they can get whom ever they want elected and we can't do anything to stop them.

In essence, we've lost all credibility. How can we again ask citizen candidates to place their necks on the choping block if we can't get them across the finish line? How can we call and write our elected officials and threaten them when they know we can't deliver on our promises to "vote them out"?

This is a teaching point everyone. A lesson that can be applied later if we truly learn from it. This is what happens when you do not have a plan of attack. So, what have we learned?

First, we learned that we cannot fight on multiple fronts. Just like in war, if you are fighting everywhere you are in essence not fighting anywhere. We do not have the resources (time, money, people) to dedicate help to everyone we want. There are good fights and bad fights. There is low hanging fruit that can and should be picked. It is our job to identify which fruit needs to be picked and go after it.

Second, we learned that these groups cannot simply be a soapbox for candidates. Instead, these groups must be the motors that drive our chosen candidates across the finish line. If you are a leader or organizer, learn this lesson and please please please apply it. These groups need to have direction and should not simply become gripe sessions.

Third, holding a sign on the side of the road does not make you an activist. It makes you a sign holder. Politics is no longer a spectator sport and we must get involved. So, get off the bench, get out of the stands and truly get involved in affecting elections. This is the only way to effect policy. Politicians don't fear the phone calls and they don't fear the stinging letters. They fear getting voted out!!! Until we can prove effective at accomplishing this, policy will not change. To paraphrase an old saying; winners do things that make a difference, losers do things that make them feel good.

While this primary election was a loss, let its sting be the reminder of what needs to be done in the future. A loss is only a loss if we don't learn the lessons from it and apply what has been taught. You can't tell me that 200 people moving in one direction, behind one candidate with a singular focus can't win any local election. These groups must provide not only a home and a voice for like minded individuals, but they must also provide a direction and focus that allow these individuals to come together and combine their efforts.