Two groups are pulling the moderates and left down -- the Democratic Party doing lousy messaging and the Media doing lousy negative commentary. We need to put as much focus on upgrading the Media as we do to upgrading the messaging. The Democrats need the kind of messaging that works. Stop the Steal with it's strong verb Stop and the accusation Steal is a very effective format encourage specific action. That's what the rest of us need. The rest of us includes the 40% of voters who are independents which are currently ignored by the Media giving us a distorted picture of what is really going on. 80% of Republicans is about 20% of all the voters. Doesn't sound so threatening, does it? Hearing MAGA winning Republican Primaries is actually positive for Democrats because they will have a harder time in the General Elections because they are the extreme and will not attract the Moderates and Independents votes. I'm feeling very defiant and ready to take on the crazies and incumbents not working for the People. We, the People, all of us including all women this time!
I appreciate always your passion and wise advice. However, I also wish to add that I hope we can all move beyond placing too much emphasis on poor Democratic messaging. Sure, Democrats could do better on messaging. But does anyone believe that Republicans and particularly that Mar-a-Lago Jabba the Hut are great orators or fountains of strategic wisdom. I think rather it is time for Democrats to stop playing down to the level of competition.
Let’s start focusing not only on national office elections and build local Democratic strength and coalitions everywhere. Stop talking about unwinnable districts anywhere. Recruit strong candidates for every office everywhere. There are no unwinnable offices or races with good candidates and strong support networks. Strong local candidates help narrow margins even in those “unwinnable” races, and there will be victories to build on.
Engage with others to build strong coalitions. There is power in numbers. We live in a country and an age where in many elections, even “high turnout” elections the voter turnout is less than 65% of registered voters and many more do not take the time or make the effort to register. Remember it is easier to activate a non-voter than to change the mind of an already committed regular voter. Spend time and energy on efforts to find and activate those not yet engaged.
Also please remember that the least effective message is an undelvered one. Silence and inaction are the enemy of success. It remains important to be concerned about how, where, when, and to whom to deliver a message. Too much attention to the message content resulting in a failure to deliver any message would guarantee failure.
I also find, as with all communication, it requires listening to those you engage with. If you spend all your time and energy delivering what you think needs to be said and not enough time asking questions and listening to those you are trying to engage and activate, that’s not communicating it's lecturing. Lecturing to an audience in any form is a very poor communication technique for engaging, activating, and winning people to any cause.
Just my own thoughts on complaints about Democratic messaging.
Bruce, I also appreciate your valuable comments and perspective. You are making important points about focusing on local and state elections and building strong coalitions that I agree are critical actions for us. Messaging is also important. I've been attending the webinars by Movement Briefing: Freedom Rising with Anat Senker-Osorio and her organization, The Research Collaborative. They are experts on communications and messaging and also do some amazing research on what is effective messaging. To get the coalitions you talk about we need to use words that resonate with people. To join their weekly webinars you can use this form: https://share.hsforms.com/1PksfEo-7SbC8rWa0diTnUAchfhq?fbclid=IwAR1z4gDsFaYeBSRUN1MI8g_P1SK5JD5hq-7dbLQWKmamdnj0K00MuTom-48
I agree completely and have attended several of their webinars. They are excellent. I also would emphasize the importance of all remembering the weakest and least effective message is the undelivered one. Silence and inaction are the enemies of success.
I hope all will participate in the Women's March Bans Off Our Bodies marches and rallies this Saturday, May 14th. They will be happening nationwide. I am sure everyone can find one located relatively nearby. Here is a link to locate a march and rally near you - https://www.mobilize.us/ppaf/?
Well said. What you are saying is not to be a perfectionist because perfectionists never get anything done. So a speaker might not win any Dale Carnegie awards for best speaker, but if he/she is honest and tells the truth, then that is golden.
When faced with almost any challenge, doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. If the course of action you have chosen proves ineffective or suboptimal you can usually change course and take a different approach.
I agree with you wholeheartedly Cathy! I often wonder if hearing so much about the "MAGA winning Republican Primaries" is actually to our benefit. I have a sense that in doing so, the MSM will lead the MAGA GOP to feel they have won this fight , when in reality the voters will show them otherwise in the general election. Wow! Won't THAT be GRAND!
Speaking of messaging: seems to me Dems need to note that if Trump and his cronies take power over this nation, it will take exactly 30 seconds to drop sanctions against Russia, stop the inquiry into the effort to end democracy here, and give Putin the freedom to continue swinging his wrecking ball in Europe and here. To surrender to Trumpism is to empower Putinism. Why do leaders in the feckless Democratic party keep hanging up their boxing gloves?
Wonderful line: "To surrender to Trumpism is to empower Putinism." Also, I think we need to start plastering Steve Bannon's grizzled face on everything....I don't think suburban Republicans would allow him anywhere near their homes.
Well said. That is my greatest fear. If the MAGA crowd takes over, there will be no more aid to Ukraine, we will be out of NATO and out of the World Climate Change Agreement as well as WHO again. God help us!
Seen in a twitter thread: Scottsdale Arizona, poster overheard two men - clearly retirees - one maybe in golf clothes. One says to the other."I'm a life-long Republican but I can't anymore. This thing about abortion is too much." The other responds, "I know, me too." This gives me hope.
It bears repeating over and over: Stirring up despair by people like Mitch McConnell and his GANG is the effective tool to stay in power! I grew up in South Africa -- talk about despair in a one party police state. My representative was HELEN SUZMAN - the lone member of the Progressive Party in Parliament. It was her monthly visits to Robben Island that kept Nelson Mandela alive --- for which she had to endure screams from the Nationalist Party. "shut your screaming Jewish mouth !! and yet ---- she ended up being the only member to outlast them alll She never gave up - neither should we. Derek
"Despair is a delusion of confidence that asserts it knows what’s coming, perhaps a tool of those who like to feel in control, even if just of the facts, when in reality, we can frame approximate parameters, but the surprises keep coming. Anyone who makes a definitive declaration about what the future will bring is not dealing in facts. The world we live in today was utterly unforeseen and unimaginable on many counts, the world that is coming is something we can work toward but not something we can foresee. We need to have confidence that surprise and uncertainty are unshakable principles, if we want to have confidence in something. And recognize that in that uncertainty is room to act, to try to shape a future that will be determined by what we do in the present."
At 85 I am another discouraged disgruntled, depressed Democrat, but I am forcing myself to take some action so I am attending a Reproductive Rights Rally Saturday and contenting to write letters for Swing Left. If all of us who are disappointed would take a little action it would make a huge difference,
I'm 70 with limited mobility but am attending 2 similar rallies in 2 states today and tomorrow and have signed up for writing 100 letters for Vote Forward and possibly more since they aren't due till October. I've done 50 postcards for NH voters which I'll mail today or tomorrow.
I have read Rather's blog post and I can relate to his comments on doomscrolling. I do it all the time and I want to stop.
My therapist sugggested setting a certain time of day to stay informed about the news. But I have OCD, so I am constantly searching for any signs of hope for the future.
The idea of the future being "bleak" or "grim" haunts me as an LGBT person. I am almost 30 years old and I fear growing old and dying in a world where I will never see true tolerance for people like me. Where I'll never be able to come out of the closet and get married. I only have one life and the idea of it ending tragically hurts.
So to compensate, I constantly scroll the news every hour of the day hoping for some signs of hope that things will at least work out in the long term. Without "Pollyanish Optimism" I have to face the fact that a good future is not certain, and there's not much I alone can do about it.
I vote, I donate, and I do what I can. But I am weak when it comes to politics. Talking about the subject makes me sick and I constantly feel like the world is getting meaner and nastier, and all anyone seems to care about is their gas prices. That's what it feels like at least.
I appreciate posts like this because they let me imagine a better world. Trump is almost 80 years old, and I believe deep down that the GOP's culture war can only go so far. Abortion is one thing, but if they try to take gay marriage or criminalize homosexuality, I will be in the streets. They will have crossed the line with members of their own party.
The fact that I have to type this makes me feel sick. I grew up thinking that the struggles of the past were in the past and that I could just enjoy my life without worrying about factors I can't control. But all of this is overwhelming and I want it to stop. I am struggling with a doomscrolling addiction and I just want to live my life in peace.
Sorry to be difficult, and this may feel like hitting you when you are down, but why aren’t you willing to go into the streets over choice? Not abortion—choice. Those who want to deny bodily autonomy to women don’t just want to control women’s bodies. They want to control their lives. They want to cont men’s lives, too, if they are not among the elect. If you want to wait until people in your community are attacked, I suggest that you remember the words of Martin Niemoller: “First, they came for the Communists…”
PD, I am not LGBTQ, but I feel the same way as you do. I am almost 73 years old and I keep falling into despair and end up in depression. I want to live in peace, too. I am pretty much homebound due to mobility issues. I will be having several orthopedic operations soon and I pray that I can make myself get out and enjoy life after I have healed.
They can’t criminalize homosexuality. We won’t let them. My beloved nephew is gay and I will March and fight for his rights as will every member of my very large family. So will the families of other LBGBQ people all over the country. Don’t worry. We have your back!
I fear for my niece and her wife and their 2 little girls, given that the RW SCOTUS members now are a religious organization and legislating from the bench, rather than applying the rule of law. They were installed by the Federalist Society and it's dark money for those views, not for law skills and knowledge.
There is supposed to be separation of Church and State. How can we stop this? They have no right to impose their religious beliefs on the citizens of this country! They should be impeached for that!
While MAGA Republicans are getting all the media coverage with their wild oratory, even negative publicity is publicity as Trump has shown. Where are the Democrats? It’s time to take the gloves off and put some firebrands out to give speeches and get the media’s attention. Not just one, but flood the airwaves. Whether it’s famous actors, sports heroes or politicians, Democrats need to find a way to get the attention of the public. State in no uncertain terms what Republican autocracy will look like. Say what you will about Mitch McConnell(the lowlife), he owns the Senate. Democrats need to demolish the filibuster and GET SOMETHING DONE! Mitch has already shown them how it’s done and he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again to get what he wants. I’m so frustrated. Angry as Hell and Not Taking It Anymore would be an effective slogan.
This past Sunday, I participated in a pro-choice rally. It was exhilarating to stand with like-minded people from the area. The age range was inspiring--high school students and grandparents. And for those of us who are the grandparents we shared stories of friends who had either died or become infertile because of botched, illegal abortions, or who had their lives upended because of unplanned pregnancies.
Yes, it's exhausting to continue to the same argument and to be in the same place. And yes, I wish we were able to move on to more current and pressing matters like climate change.
While talking with other protesters, we discussed the issue of "messaging". I asked a number of people what changes they would make to be better--unfortunately there were no ideas. Just complaints. Messaging is difficult if it comes down to a slogan of 3-4 words. But here is one thought and it's extreme: REPUBLICANS ARE THE PARTY OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND ILLITERACY.""
I am with the messaging crowd. Where is the DNC? I repeat: Where is the DNC? We need short and catchy messages that attack the Republicans. All the thoughtful commentators like Stephens and Rather don’t matter except to the already-convinced. Fox News runs a grotesque story about gender groups in schools and Rs say: See - this is what Ds will do. And independent voters in swing states say: Yessir. And vote R. We should fire everyone at the DNC and start over with people who really understand modern communication.
Hi, Doug. I agree with your comments, with a caveat: Although the DNC has fallen short, the DNC includes many battle-tested veterans who represent a reservoir of talent and commitment. We shouldn't fire everyone; they need better leadership.
The Democrats have been terrible at messaging for the majority of my lifetime—and I’m old.
Clinton was good, and stayed good after being elected. Obama was good campaigning, then…Warren is excellent—for the wing of the party primarying sitting Democrats—circular firing squad. Or—just business as usual for us. Sigh
Yes, I think one of the most horrid, vile messaging labels that the right is trying to attach to the left is that we are "grooming" children. This shows how low the right will go in their efforts to retain power at any cost. We need DNC leaders to adopt the Mallory McMorrow method of messaging ASAP.
While I like the term "gaslighting" as it suits Collins and Murkowski and Manchin, I don't think it is persuasive word for many. Double speak? Flip flopping? Or just back to good ole, underused LYING. A crowd favorite here.
These people lie all the time, to use the correct word. So do politicians who find "lawyer-speak" as I will call it, to frame their "denials" with escape clauses. So do SOME supreme court justices--you can figure out which ones.
Hello. Try to read Leonard Pitts Jr, Miami Herald columnist - If the court loses legitimacy, can its authority be Next? Mostly addressing Clarence Thomas' speech Friday at a judicial conference in Atlanta, but the Supreme Court in general.
They should start worrying about that! While they are deciding cases in the way that the Republicans, the minority, the Democrats and Independents, the majority, are getting fed up!
This morning, whilst reading the morning paper, I looked over my potted vegetable starters. The Italian pepper plant that looked to be on the verge of dying yesterday is bouncing back this morning. It is a truism that nothing in the Universe really disappears-it just changes form.
It was thus highly encouraging and energizing to see President Biden taking on the forces of exclusion and revanchism that are on the fading side of history.
For those readers in Miami, Florida, here is the link to sign up for the Bans Off Our Bodies March this Saturday, May 14th. Let’s have a huge turn out!
I did not know Bret Stephens until I saw him on JUDJ (Jews United for Democracy and Justice) last night. Was already a fan of JUDJ, and from what I learned last night, now Bret Stephens, too!
For readers who are not familiar with Jews United for Democracy and Justice, it is a great organization with an unmatched speaker series. See https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/
Two groups are pulling the moderates and left down -- the Democratic Party doing lousy messaging and the Media doing lousy negative commentary. We need to put as much focus on upgrading the Media as we do to upgrading the messaging. The Democrats need the kind of messaging that works. Stop the Steal with it's strong verb Stop and the accusation Steal is a very effective format encourage specific action. That's what the rest of us need. The rest of us includes the 40% of voters who are independents which are currently ignored by the Media giving us a distorted picture of what is really going on. 80% of Republicans is about 20% of all the voters. Doesn't sound so threatening, does it? Hearing MAGA winning Republican Primaries is actually positive for Democrats because they will have a harder time in the General Elections because they are the extreme and will not attract the Moderates and Independents votes. I'm feeling very defiant and ready to take on the crazies and incumbents not working for the People. We, the People, all of us including all women this time!
I appreciate always your passion and wise advice. However, I also wish to add that I hope we can all move beyond placing too much emphasis on poor Democratic messaging. Sure, Democrats could do better on messaging. But does anyone believe that Republicans and particularly that Mar-a-Lago Jabba the Hut are great orators or fountains of strategic wisdom. I think rather it is time for Democrats to stop playing down to the level of competition.
Let’s start focusing not only on national office elections and build local Democratic strength and coalitions everywhere. Stop talking about unwinnable districts anywhere. Recruit strong candidates for every office everywhere. There are no unwinnable offices or races with good candidates and strong support networks. Strong local candidates help narrow margins even in those “unwinnable” races, and there will be victories to build on.
Engage with others to build strong coalitions. There is power in numbers. We live in a country and an age where in many elections, even “high turnout” elections the voter turnout is less than 65% of registered voters and many more do not take the time or make the effort to register. Remember it is easier to activate a non-voter than to change the mind of an already committed regular voter. Spend time and energy on efforts to find and activate those not yet engaged.
Also please remember that the least effective message is an undelvered one. Silence and inaction are the enemy of success. It remains important to be concerned about how, where, when, and to whom to deliver a message. Too much attention to the message content resulting in a failure to deliver any message would guarantee failure.
I also find, as with all communication, it requires listening to those you engage with. If you spend all your time and energy delivering what you think needs to be said and not enough time asking questions and listening to those you are trying to engage and activate, that’s not communicating it's lecturing. Lecturing to an audience in any form is a very poor communication technique for engaging, activating, and winning people to any cause.
Just my own thoughts on complaints about Democratic messaging.
Bruce, I also appreciate your valuable comments and perspective. You are making important points about focusing on local and state elections and building strong coalitions that I agree are critical actions for us. Messaging is also important. I've been attending the webinars by Movement Briefing: Freedom Rising with Anat Senker-Osorio and her organization, The Research Collaborative. They are experts on communications and messaging and also do some amazing research on what is effective messaging. To get the coalitions you talk about we need to use words that resonate with people. To join their weekly webinars you can use this form: https://share.hsforms.com/1PksfEo-7SbC8rWa0diTnUAchfhq?fbclid=IwAR1z4gDsFaYeBSRUN1MI8g_P1SK5JD5hq-7dbLQWKmamdnj0K00MuTom-48
I agree completely and have attended several of their webinars. They are excellent. I also would emphasize the importance of all remembering the weakest and least effective message is the undelivered one. Silence and inaction are the enemies of success.
I hope all will participate in the Women's March Bans Off Our Bodies marches and rallies this Saturday, May 14th. They will be happening nationwide. I am sure everyone can find one located relatively nearby. Here is a link to locate a march and rally near you - https://www.mobilize.us/ppaf/?
Umhuh! Ah-ha! That's what I'm talking about! Good - and very realistic - pep talk. Thank you, Bruce!
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for that.
Well said. What you are saying is not to be a perfectionist because perfectionists never get anything done. So a speaker might not win any Dale Carnegie awards for best speaker, but if he/she is honest and tells the truth, then that is golden.
When faced with almost any challenge, doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. If the course of action you have chosen proves ineffective or suboptimal you can usually change course and take a different approach.
I agree with you wholeheartedly Cathy! I often wonder if hearing so much about the "MAGA winning Republican Primaries" is actually to our benefit. I have a sense that in doing so, the MSM will lead the MAGA GOP to feel they have won this fight , when in reality the voters will show them otherwise in the general election. Wow! Won't THAT be GRAND!
Good call. Remember how all the polls indicated that Hillary would win...
Speaking of messaging: seems to me Dems need to note that if Trump and his cronies take power over this nation, it will take exactly 30 seconds to drop sanctions against Russia, stop the inquiry into the effort to end democracy here, and give Putin the freedom to continue swinging his wrecking ball in Europe and here. To surrender to Trumpism is to empower Putinism. Why do leaders in the feckless Democratic party keep hanging up their boxing gloves?
Wonderful line: "To surrender to Trumpism is to empower Putinism." Also, I think we need to start plastering Steve Bannon's grizzled face on everything....I don't think suburban Republicans would allow him anywhere near their homes.
Well said. That is my greatest fear. If the MAGA crowd takes over, there will be no more aid to Ukraine, we will be out of NATO and out of the World Climate Change Agreement as well as WHO again. God help us!
Bravo! That was very uplifting. I sincerely hope that ALL of the women voters will vote Democratic.
Thank you, Cathy, as always.
For messaging, how about "Stop the Haters"?
You could use Stop the Hate. Using Haters won't work, because it personalizes it too much (in my humble opinion).
I like yours better. :)
Seen in a twitter thread: Scottsdale Arizona, poster overheard two men - clearly retirees - one maybe in golf clothes. One says to the other."I'm a life-long Republican but I can't anymore. This thing about abortion is too much." The other responds, "I know, me too." This gives me hope.
Yes!
It bears repeating over and over: Stirring up despair by people like Mitch McConnell and his GANG is the effective tool to stay in power! I grew up in South Africa -- talk about despair in a one party police state. My representative was HELEN SUZMAN - the lone member of the Progressive Party in Parliament. It was her monthly visits to Robben Island that kept Nelson Mandela alive --- for which she had to endure screams from the Nationalist Party. "shut your screaming Jewish mouth !! and yet ---- she ended up being the only member to outlast them alll She never gave up - neither should we. Derek
My slogan: Defend Democracy—Elect Democrats.
Doesn’t say it all, but says enough.
Rebecca Solnit writes:
"Despair is a delusion of confidence that asserts it knows what’s coming, perhaps a tool of those who like to feel in control, even if just of the facts, when in reality, we can frame approximate parameters, but the surprises keep coming. Anyone who makes a definitive declaration about what the future will bring is not dealing in facts. The world we live in today was utterly unforeseen and unimaginable on many counts, the world that is coming is something we can work toward but not something we can foresee. We need to have confidence that surprise and uncertainty are unshakable principles, if we want to have confidence in something. And recognize that in that uncertainty is room to act, to try to shape a future that will be determined by what we do in the present."
Thanks for that. I'm copying and printing and putting on my bulletin board!
At 85 I am another discouraged disgruntled, depressed Democrat, but I am forcing myself to take some action so I am attending a Reproductive Rights Rally Saturday and contenting to write letters for Swing Left. If all of us who are disappointed would take a little action it would make a huge difference,
I'm 70 with limited mobility but am attending 2 similar rallies in 2 states today and tomorrow and have signed up for writing 100 letters for Vote Forward and possibly more since they aren't due till October. I've done 50 postcards for NH voters which I'll mail today or tomorrow.
Thank you again for your insight, Robert.
I have read Rather's blog post and I can relate to his comments on doomscrolling. I do it all the time and I want to stop.
My therapist sugggested setting a certain time of day to stay informed about the news. But I have OCD, so I am constantly searching for any signs of hope for the future.
The idea of the future being "bleak" or "grim" haunts me as an LGBT person. I am almost 30 years old and I fear growing old and dying in a world where I will never see true tolerance for people like me. Where I'll never be able to come out of the closet and get married. I only have one life and the idea of it ending tragically hurts.
So to compensate, I constantly scroll the news every hour of the day hoping for some signs of hope that things will at least work out in the long term. Without "Pollyanish Optimism" I have to face the fact that a good future is not certain, and there's not much I alone can do about it.
I vote, I donate, and I do what I can. But I am weak when it comes to politics. Talking about the subject makes me sick and I constantly feel like the world is getting meaner and nastier, and all anyone seems to care about is their gas prices. That's what it feels like at least.
I appreciate posts like this because they let me imagine a better world. Trump is almost 80 years old, and I believe deep down that the GOP's culture war can only go so far. Abortion is one thing, but if they try to take gay marriage or criminalize homosexuality, I will be in the streets. They will have crossed the line with members of their own party.
The fact that I have to type this makes me feel sick. I grew up thinking that the struggles of the past were in the past and that I could just enjoy my life without worrying about factors I can't control. But all of this is overwhelming and I want it to stop. I am struggling with a doomscrolling addiction and I just want to live my life in peace.
Sorry to be difficult, and this may feel like hitting you when you are down, but why aren’t you willing to go into the streets over choice? Not abortion—choice. Those who want to deny bodily autonomy to women don’t just want to control women’s bodies. They want to control their lives. They want to cont men’s lives, too, if they are not among the elect. If you want to wait until people in your community are attacked, I suggest that you remember the words of Martin Niemoller: “First, they came for the Communists…”
PD, I am not LGBTQ, but I feel the same way as you do. I am almost 73 years old and I keep falling into despair and end up in depression. I want to live in peace, too. I am pretty much homebound due to mobility issues. I will be having several orthopedic operations soon and I pray that I can make myself get out and enjoy life after I have healed.
They can’t criminalize homosexuality. We won’t let them. My beloved nephew is gay and I will March and fight for his rights as will every member of my very large family. So will the families of other LBGBQ people all over the country. Don’t worry. We have your back!
I fear for my niece and her wife and their 2 little girls, given that the RW SCOTUS members now are a religious organization and legislating from the bench, rather than applying the rule of law. They were installed by the Federalist Society and it's dark money for those views, not for law skills and knowledge.
There is supposed to be separation of Church and State. How can we stop this? They have no right to impose their religious beliefs on the citizens of this country! They should be impeached for that!
PD-hugs to you.
While MAGA Republicans are getting all the media coverage with their wild oratory, even negative publicity is publicity as Trump has shown. Where are the Democrats? It’s time to take the gloves off and put some firebrands out to give speeches and get the media’s attention. Not just one, but flood the airwaves. Whether it’s famous actors, sports heroes or politicians, Democrats need to find a way to get the attention of the public. State in no uncertain terms what Republican autocracy will look like. Say what you will about Mitch McConnell(the lowlife), he owns the Senate. Democrats need to demolish the filibuster and GET SOMETHING DONE! Mitch has already shown them how it’s done and he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again to get what he wants. I’m so frustrated. Angry as Hell and Not Taking It Anymore would be an effective slogan.
Darned right!
This past Sunday, I participated in a pro-choice rally. It was exhilarating to stand with like-minded people from the area. The age range was inspiring--high school students and grandparents. And for those of us who are the grandparents we shared stories of friends who had either died or become infertile because of botched, illegal abortions, or who had their lives upended because of unplanned pregnancies.
Yes, it's exhausting to continue to the same argument and to be in the same place. And yes, I wish we were able to move on to more current and pressing matters like climate change.
While talking with other protesters, we discussed the issue of "messaging". I asked a number of people what changes they would make to be better--unfortunately there were no ideas. Just complaints. Messaging is difficult if it comes down to a slogan of 3-4 words. But here is one thought and it's extreme: REPUBLICANS ARE THE PARTY OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND ILLITERACY.""
Great phrase!
I am with the messaging crowd. Where is the DNC? I repeat: Where is the DNC? We need short and catchy messages that attack the Republicans. All the thoughtful commentators like Stephens and Rather don’t matter except to the already-convinced. Fox News runs a grotesque story about gender groups in schools and Rs say: See - this is what Ds will do. And independent voters in swing states say: Yessir. And vote R. We should fire everyone at the DNC and start over with people who really understand modern communication.
Hi, Doug. I agree with your comments, with a caveat: Although the DNC has fallen short, the DNC includes many battle-tested veterans who represent a reservoir of talent and commitment. We shouldn't fire everyone; they need better leadership.
Robert, Who is leading the DNC anyway?
So true. The DNC is a bunch of empty shirts/coats who don't have a clue!! Politics Girl has it.
The Democrats have been terrible at messaging for the majority of my lifetime—and I’m old.
Clinton was good, and stayed good after being elected. Obama was good campaigning, then…Warren is excellent—for the wing of the party primarying sitting Democrats—circular firing squad. Or—just business as usual for us. Sigh
Yes, I think one of the most horrid, vile messaging labels that the right is trying to attach to the left is that we are "grooming" children. This shows how low the right will go in their efforts to retain power at any cost. We need DNC leaders to adopt the Mallory McMorrow method of messaging ASAP.
Everything turns out right in the end. If it’s not right, it’s not the end.
While I like the term "gaslighting" as it suits Collins and Murkowski and Manchin, I don't think it is persuasive word for many. Double speak? Flip flopping? Or just back to good ole, underused LYING. A crowd favorite here.
These people lie all the time, to use the correct word. So do politicians who find "lawyer-speak" as I will call it, to frame their "denials" with escape clauses. So do SOME supreme court justices--you can figure out which ones.
Hello. Try to read Leonard Pitts Jr, Miami Herald columnist - If the court loses legitimacy, can its authority be Next? Mostly addressing Clarence Thomas' speech Friday at a judicial conference in Atlanta, but the Supreme Court in general.
They should start worrying about that! While they are deciding cases in the way that the Republicans, the minority, the Democrats and Independents, the majority, are getting fed up!
Thank you. I needed to hear this today. I keep showing up and fighting, but I thought by now I would have been able to coast a bit.
This morning, whilst reading the morning paper, I looked over my potted vegetable starters. The Italian pepper plant that looked to be on the verge of dying yesterday is bouncing back this morning. It is a truism that nothing in the Universe really disappears-it just changes form.
It was thus highly encouraging and energizing to see President Biden taking on the forces of exclusion and revanchism that are on the fading side of history.
For those readers in Miami, Florida, here is the link to sign up for the Bans Off Our Bodies March this Saturday, May 14th. Let’s have a huge turn out!
https://www.mobilize.us/ultravioletaction/event/459145/
I've made my signs and am participating in a rally today in Concord NH and a Bans Off Our Bodies tomorrow in Northampton MA.
I did not know Bret Stephens until I saw him on JUDJ (Jews United for Democracy and Justice) last night. Was already a fan of JUDJ, and from what I learned last night, now Bret Stephens, too!
For readers who are not familiar with Jews United for Democracy and Justice, it is a great organization with an unmatched speaker series. See https://www.jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/