In this post we will finish our examination of Part 2 of Robert G. “Delegate Bob” Marshall new book, Reclaiming the Republic: How Christians and Other Conservatives Can Win Back America. Here is our progress thus far.

• First Post: We introduced the book.
• Second Post: We reviewed the prefatory material.
• Third Post: We summarized the first two chapters of Part 1 of Marshall’s book, Think Like the Founders.
• Fourth Post: We summarized the last three chapters of Part 1 of Marshall’s book.
• Fifth Post: We summarized the first two chapters of Part 2 of Marshall’s book.
• Sixth Post: We summarized the last three chapters of Part 2 of Marshall’s book.

In this post we will summarize the content of chapters of eleven, twelve, and thirteen, the last three chapters of Part 2 Marshall’s book, The Playbook: Terms, Strategy, and Tactics. These these three chapters focus on what we each can do as individuals to be effective Conservative political activists. That is, how do we join our efforts with the efforts of other Conservative political activists to effect positive changes?

Chapter 11 – Stick to Your Principles and Get Involved Or Reagan Proved That Conservatives Can Win

This chapter focuses on the role of political parties. In America we have a two-party system. As a practical matter, that means our candidates must have either the Democratic Party’s on the Republican Party’s nomination in order to win elected office.

Marshall uses the example of President Ronald Reagan to explain what is required to get the nomination of one of the two major political parties and win election.  However, instead of writing from Reagan’s point-of-view, Marshall explains the process of getting a candidate elected from the citizen’s perspective. He talks about activities we each can get involved in.

Note that Marshall makes a point of talking about the role churches can have in our elections. Churches cannot take sides in an election, but churches can inform their members, churches can register their members to vote, and churches can encourage their member to vote. That is, churches can help get out the vote of their members, and getting out the vote wins elections.

Chapter 12 –   Let’s Vote

Here Marshall talks about the mechanics of voting process and the various issues we put on the ballot. In addition to choosing candidates for public office, we vote on such things as bond referendums and recall elections. Marshal also explains that political parties can stage their own nomination processes. That includes conventions and caucuses.

Chapter 13 – The Building Block of American Politics: The Precinct Or All Politics Is Local

Most of the people in any army are foot soldiers. These are the people who carry out the fight. Fortunately, we fight political battles with ballots, not bullets. We don’t shoot the opposition; we try to persuade the opposition to join our side, and we work to get our own people (our soldiers) to the polls to vote.

Where do we fight our political battles? Most citizens who serve as the foot soldiers for political parties and workers in political campaigns do their best work at the precinct level. That’s why Marshall describes precinct level operations in detail in this chapter.

What’s Left?

Marshall’s book includes three appendices that address several different topics:

• Appendix I: Judicial Supremacy Reconsidered
• Appendix II: Presidential Appointment of Supreme Court Justices, or Put Not Your faith in Princes (or Their Nomination to the Supreme Court)
• Appendix III: Transgender: The Next Domino to Fall….Unless We Act

Check out Marshall’s perspective on these topics. Because of the years and the energy Marshall has devoted to political activism, it is worth our trouble.

Conclusion

So what should we do about Marshall’s book. Buy it and read it! Share it!

• Do you want to know your role as a citizen of our great republic? Do you want your family and friends to understand their roles as citizens of our great republic? Do you want our republic to remain a great republic? Then buy Marshal’s book both for yourself and as a Christmas present for your family and friends.
• Is the pastor of your church extremely wary of politics? Then buy him or her a copy of Marshal’s book. Explain that churches don’t have to take sides in political campaigns, but pastors do have a moral obligation to encourage their members to participate in the political life of our communities. If we love our family, friends, and neighbors, then each of us has a moral obligation to do what we can to protect each other’s God-given rights. Marshal’s book explains how the members of a Christian church be salt and light in politics without compromising their church’s primary purpose, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Do you want to fight growing moral degeneracy within our nation? Then buy Marshal’s book. If you don’t know what you can do, then how will you know what you can accomplish?

Note that sharing the Gospel is the most important thing we can do for our fellow citizens. Just the same we all have bodily needs and wants. That is one reason why James included these words.

James 2:14-17 Good News Translation (GNT)

¹⁴ My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? ¹⁵ Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. ¹⁶ What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don’t give them the necessities of life? ¹⁷ So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.

Good government is one of the necessities of life. Good government is critical for the safety and prosperity of our communities. Therefore, those Christians who can must get their hands dirty and participate in the sound and fury of politics.

For those who have yet to see it, here is the presentation Bob Marshall gave the PWMFA’s spring fundraiser.