My company has sent me travelling this week. As I drove around central Virginia I became aware once again that it's not enough to be correct about public policy. Given the complexity of social problems and economic theory, having it right or even close to right is plenty difficult. But the real genius is being able to convince the man and woman on the street that the ideas have value.

The opposition has proven that it is absolutely without scruples. We should learn to expect that from them. The media is more interested in sales and ratings than truth. I guess that's to be expected, too. Unfortunately it seems that the combination of these two features make for a tough combination to beat. It's easier to generate a lie that is "sexy" in a journalist sense than it in to attract equivalent attention for the truth. In our short-attention-span world the counters to lies struggle to be noticed. By the time they are out there, the common attention has moved on. Basically it becomes a contest of who can tell the most instantly believable lies. If you are really good (Karl Rove is a Jedi Master at this) you can build the next set of lies on the last set while it still has some life. So what do you do.

First of all, be absolutely scrupulous about what you say and do. Don't provide the opposition with easy ammunition. And second, be very sensitive to what the opposition is saying. Counter quickly and directly. Don't let the lies have any oxygen to thrive on. One must not let the media off the hook either. As they try to slant their stories for mass appeal, be prepared to counter the slant with honesty and directness.

I don't know how long it is going to take to break through to the popular consciousness. But when it happens we all will win, both on the right and on the left.