What can Conservatives Learn From Erwin Rommel?

Yes, he was a German Field Marshall during WW II. And, he was a Nazi. That makes him a certifiable bad guy. However, at the same time, Erwin Rommel was one of the best military minds of the 20th century, if not of all time. His ingenuity in mobile warfare has shaped the military doctrine of countless nations, including out own. So, how does that help us, now, and in the political arena? Take a look at this quote.

“What difference does it make if you have two tanks to my one, when you spread them out and let me smash them in detail?”

Rommel said this to a captured British officer. In North Africa, the British outnumbered Rommel’s Afrika Corps, often by several times. But, the British had a failing strategy. They sent their tanks out on dribs and drabs, allowing Rommel to concentrate his forces to defeat them time and time again, with minimal losses of his own. On paper, the British should have been able to push him right back into the Mediterranean Sea. They outnumbered Rommel in every meaningful way, but by not concentrating their efforts, and spreading themselves too thin, they allowed Rommel to fend off their attacks, as well as allowed him to constantly outmaneuver them.

This is what is happening to Republicans and organized labor. Several states have considered taking on the unions regarding medical benefits and retirement plans, which are now bankrupting many states. Or, they are considering Right to Work laws. However, their attempts have been piecemeal and uncoordinated, allowing the unions to adjust, and readjust their resources and tactics to fit the particular situation. Also, they have the lack of conscience that allows them to engage in unethical or even illegal activities in order to win. Consequently, even though they are outnumbered, they have been taking the fight to the public, and their representatives, instead of the other way around.

Rommel would find the enemy’s weakest point, and hit it with overwhelming force. He would determine when and where an attack was coming, and prepare a defense, and a counter-attack. The British never really learned to emulate him, and Montgomery only ran him off with overwhelming numerical superiority, as well as due to the fact that Rommel was at the end of a very tenuous supply line.

Let’s translate that into our situation with organized labor. We outnumber them. They have to be spending their available cash at a rapid rate. Between Wisconsin, then Ohio, and now Indiana, they are spread out. There has to be an upward limit of how many commercials they can run, as well as goons they can hire. At the same time, many states have been waiting to see what happens in the other states before they act themselves. But, what if two, three, or even four other states acted now? Would the unions be able to fend off all of that at once, as well as put millions into the Obama billion-dollar campaign? How many of their resources would be spread all over the place, and how would they engage in GOTV activities for the Democrats? Montgomery defeated Rommel, not by outsmarting him, but by attrition. For us, it means that we need to use our strength against their weakness. Does it not stand to reason that we could stretch their resources until they break?

As always, thoughts and comments are welcome.