A reader sent a suggestion to my email that deserves posting: She said Democrats should use the slogan, "Govern for our grandchildren." That says a lot in a few words.
Republicans would argue we are saddling them with unsustainable levels of debt. they would also say that an aborted baby can't have another child. i applaud the sentiment, but the ideas need to be bulletproof
Under the category of "Reframe the opponent’s message to your benefit whenever possible", I heard a pertinent suggestion from a listener on a local radio talk show. She said, rather than talk about the "cost" of the Build Back Better Plan, we should talk about the cost of NOT implementing its measures. That would be quite a figure.
“Democrats deliver” is short, positive and can follow any policy achievement or issue message (climate, health care, education, justice, economy). We’ve got to get past political tribalism and instead show how our policies benefit all Americans. And yes, as so many others have suggested, punchy visuals with real people instead of the predictable blah blah blah the candidates are coached on by some clueless overpaid Beltway consultant! I am an activist in Colorado who has lost all faith in the DNC, DSCC and DCCC and instead contribute to my local and state parties, Indivisible, Flip the Vote and other grassroots organizations along with favored candidates.
Hi, Ruth. Thanks for being on the front lines in Colorado. We need you, and more people like you. Other readers have echoed your loss of trust and confidence in the DCCC and DNC. It is a real problem that leadership must address. Thanks for identifying Flip the Vote. A good reminder about a good organization worthy of support.
I like the Fireside Chat idea posted by others. But not just by Joe Biden. Use Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg.... Demonstrate the Democrats have a deep bench and lots of ideas, many of them already completed or underway.
Thank you for the shout-out to those of us in red states. Currently here in Missouri, we are deciding mainly between two candidates for U. S. Senate to fill Roy Blunt’s seat, Scott Sifton and Lucas Kunce. Though Sifton is a two-term state senator who has done a good job, I’m thinking Kunce as a former marine has a better chance of winning in our state. It seems a rather shallow way to choose a candidate, but I think that’s where we are. Sorry to all about Senator Hawley. It goes without saying I didn’t vote for him.
Donna, thanks for keeping up the fight. And no need to apologize for Hawley. He showed his true colors only after he got into office. Even his mentor has disowned him.
George Carlin (maybe my favorite intellectual) has a quote that best describes the "other party" occupying seats in both the House and the Senate and it reads "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups". I sign off every email I send with this quote to remind myself to get off my butt to do what I can to keep as many "stupids" out of our government. If we all work to that end, over time, we may be able to resurrect a Republican party that wishes to govern. It's tough to say now but going forward this country is better served by having two legitimate political parties who actually want to govern...but it may be a long time coming.
There is no doubt that democracy is better served by having at least two legitimate parties vying for votes and control. But i agree, it may be a long time coming.
If republican senators who voted AGAINST the infrastructure bill are advertising it as their gift to their constituents, isn’t there a way to “counter-advertise” to that same constituency that their bragging senator tried to kill those very services ? Before their false narrative of “look what I did for you” takes hold, it seems like dems should be calling them out quickly and loudly to make sure folks know that they deserve no credit for any of it, and that the new infrastructure benefits are coming DESPITE the efforts of their republican leadership
I copied this from Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American, exactly to this point.
Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) has a new ad out boasting that “Congressman Rob Wittman is Bringing Broadband to the Northern Neck.” “It’s the future,” the ad reads, and Wittman “has helped bring broadband to thousands of homes and businesses. And he will not stop until every Virginian is given an equal opportunity to connect to the future.”
Wittman voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
This needs to be countered with a loud rebuttal, that HE DID NOT VOTE to expand broadband, he voted against it! Loud and clear! the evidence that it is a lie! I just don't know who should be the point person to get these counter attacks launched. Just being nice doesn't send the right message in this situation.
Messaging needs to be tailored to the local scene as well as national. State specific messages telling people how their particular state is and will benefit from Biden's agenda, i.e, seniors in Florida will be able to have home care instead of being forced into nursing homes, Route 95 widening project will be completed, etc.
Thanks for the "open mic," Robert. There are so many, many good suggestions here. I especially hope that the suggestions to call out the dishonest GOP who are taking credit--don't they have some nerve?-- and blasting their "no" votes on all of these initiatives. Also, the many suggestions to hire the Lincoln project or other smart, pithy writers to craft messages about BBB need to be heeded and in a hurry!
Here's my question: Along with many thousands of others, I donate regularly to the DNC. What are they doing with the money??--We know it's not been going to messaging. So often it feels like we're just shouting into the wind!
Hi, Crystal. You raise a point that is echoed by many other readers. The DNC needs to do a better job of communicating the value that it brings to the party. It plays a vital role, but it needs to do a better job of communicating what it is doing. For many Democrats, they believe that the DNC is the point organization on every issue and candidate. While that is not completely accurate, it needs to be more visible and present during these challenging times.
In the extremely gerrymandered states, is it even possible for a Democrat to win?? This is what I worry about…..all of this work may be just a waste of time and resources without voting regulations.
Hi, Kathy. I know that some prominent Democrats are saying that it is literally impossible for Democrats to win in gerrymandered states. They are wrong and are doing immense damage to the Democratic Party. First, we are not powerless to overcome daunting odds. Turnout matters more than anything else. If 100% of Democrats (or something close to that) turned out for an election, no amount of gerrymandering could be successful. But, more importantly, if Democrats are sending the message that it is hopeless to contest difficult races, why would anyone bother to support Democratic candidates. Please don't fall for the doomsayers. Georgia is a good example. Dems were supposed to lose both Senate seats; they won both because of unexpected developments. So, let's not give up the fight, no matter how long the odds.
I live in an GA--GOP just gerrymandered Lucy McBath's seat out!! I actually don't think it's possible to win--without the voting rights ACT. BBB is great, but if Voting Rights aren't passed, THAT will be Biden's legacy. How come we aren't hearing more about this from Biden?
I do not have the answer but I suspect Biden knows he still doesn't have the votes for that. I think he is building on his wins and the negotiating work that has already been done on the BBB and the allure of making all those things happen. As I've ben learning more and more about systemic racism and its long term and long lasting affects, I see that BBB family initiatives alone will make huge differences in the individuals powers and outcomes of our repressed citizens of color, especially Blacks. I do have a tendency to "read across" books to pull together the overall lessons. For that, I recommend both "Blowout" by Rachel Maddow and "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson. Both meticulously point out, slowly but surely, how rich corporations and despots around the world have arranged to keep people of African descent and other people of color, too, as the underclasses who do the work, stay poor and poorly educated, and powerless. Until more of us understand the fears and motivations of our opponents, we cannot adequately deal with them head on. I have every confidence the Voting rights bill will pass. I also trust that the order things are being tackled makes sense overall. As Robert would say, be calm and stay the course.
I am a Democrat living in the R state of Georgia. Living in a county that flipped all Commission seats D in 2020, in a zip code that remains all R, in a district that elected Lucy McBath in 2016 by a narrow margin…and now with our GOP Gerrymandering…Lucy is forced to move to the only remaining D stronghold district with a face off against incumbent Carolyn Bordeaux. My school post is held by an entrenched 81 year old white man who spouts racism and conspiracy theories using the School District Email and has been re-elected for the past 11 years. My neighbor flies a Confederate flag alongside his American flag alongside his Trump 2024 and White Chicks for Trump signs. I’m involved at the local, state and national levels. There are a multitude of D’s here…but we have been strategically watered down by the stronghold at our state Capitol.
Hi, Betty. Thanks for being an active Democrat in a deep red part of Georgia. It must be dispiriting and cannot be easy. But please keep up the fight. You have two Democratic Senators, an outcome that seemed impossible a few years ago. It is unforgivable and probably illegal for teh school board member to use a School District Email to send racist emails. Perhaps that is a story that a national publication like WaPo would be interested in covering. or perhaps a local newspaper?
I, too, am a Georgian right down the road from you. Admittedly, living in the City of Decatur is like living on an island of "Blue sanity." The GOP gerrymandering that forced Lucy McBath to move districts and run against another Dem, C.B, sickened me and my fear is that without the Voting Rights Act, it won't make a d_______d bit of difference how many voters turn out in the mid-terms with the deck so artificially and dishonestly stacked against majority rule.
Did any one say bumper stickers??? I find them so visible... they’re could be a democratic theme color-design even with different groups coming up with different slogans like the great short ones suggested....
Thank you for the shout out to Dems in deep red states (think KY, Mitch & Rand..sigh). We are working hard in Louisville to register & get out the vote. We have a volunteer group that has ongoing training opportunities to fit every kind of desire to serve (door knocking to delivering postcards to writers). We have recruited folks to serve as precinct leaders and walking their neighborhoods & connecting with people. Messaging is going to be so important going forward and I'm so glad to be seeing this conversation in your newsletter. It will help us as we walk our neighborhoods and branch out throughout the state
Our goal should be to help every Democrat get his/her NAME on every ballot! Find a non-voting neighbor, friend, acquaintance, or family member who supports Democratic values and get a commitment to actually vote. This would be more energy effective than trying to change the minds of Republicans.
I’m writing to you from northwestern WI, where all the women are strong & the men are good looking! Our specific county, as well as others, are working to get more local representation in our county boards. Gerrymandering has hurt us up here but we do have a good Governor. The R's in our state government are still dancing to what Scott Walker started. Reading the comments to you are helpful as they give us support.
A reader sent a suggestion to my email that deserves posting: She said Democrats should use the slogan, "Govern for our grandchildren." That says a lot in a few words.
That compares with the Native Americans’ concept of acting for not only now but for the seventh generation.
Millicent Gray (AZ)
My slogan for a long time that I have used to advantage has been, and still is, "Save Our Children's Future". It covers everything.
Republicans would argue we are saddling them with unsustainable levels of debt. they would also say that an aborted baby can't have another child. i applaud the sentiment, but the ideas need to be bulletproof
Under the category of "Reframe the opponent’s message to your benefit whenever possible", I heard a pertinent suggestion from a listener on a local radio talk show. She said, rather than talk about the "cost" of the Build Back Better Plan, we should talk about the cost of NOT implementing its measures. That would be quite a figure.
Yes, someone get those numbers, please!
“Democrats deliver” is short, positive and can follow any policy achievement or issue message (climate, health care, education, justice, economy). We’ve got to get past political tribalism and instead show how our policies benefit all Americans. And yes, as so many others have suggested, punchy visuals with real people instead of the predictable blah blah blah the candidates are coached on by some clueless overpaid Beltway consultant! I am an activist in Colorado who has lost all faith in the DNC, DSCC and DCCC and instead contribute to my local and state parties, Indivisible, Flip the Vote and other grassroots organizations along with favored candidates.
Hi, Ruth. Thanks for being on the front lines in Colorado. We need you, and more people like you. Other readers have echoed your loss of trust and confidence in the DCCC and DNC. It is a real problem that leadership must address. Thanks for identifying Flip the Vote. A good reminder about a good organization worthy of support.
I feel you, Ruth. I, too, have lost faith in the DNC--and, as painful as it is for me to say, I have lost faith in the chair of the DNC.
I like the Fireside Chat idea posted by others. But not just by Joe Biden. Use Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg.... Demonstrate the Democrats have a deep bench and lots of ideas, many of them already completed or underway.
the less Progressive, the better. Right if highlighting the most extreme opinions and using those to scare their base
I like this suggestion a lot. I think it would work.
Thank you for the shout-out to those of us in red states. Currently here in Missouri, we are deciding mainly between two candidates for U. S. Senate to fill Roy Blunt’s seat, Scott Sifton and Lucas Kunce. Though Sifton is a two-term state senator who has done a good job, I’m thinking Kunce as a former marine has a better chance of winning in our state. It seems a rather shallow way to choose a candidate, but I think that’s where we are. Sorry to all about Senator Hawley. It goes without saying I didn’t vote for him.
Donna, thanks for keeping up the fight. And no need to apologize for Hawley. He showed his true colors only after he got into office. Even his mentor has disowned him.
George Carlin (maybe my favorite intellectual) has a quote that best describes the "other party" occupying seats in both the House and the Senate and it reads "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups". I sign off every email I send with this quote to remind myself to get off my butt to do what I can to keep as many "stupids" out of our government. If we all work to that end, over time, we may be able to resurrect a Republican party that wishes to govern. It's tough to say now but going forward this country is better served by having two legitimate political parties who actually want to govern...but it may be a long time coming.
There is no doubt that democracy is better served by having at least two legitimate parties vying for votes and control. But i agree, it may be a long time coming.
If republican senators who voted AGAINST the infrastructure bill are advertising it as their gift to their constituents, isn’t there a way to “counter-advertise” to that same constituency that their bragging senator tried to kill those very services ? Before their false narrative of “look what I did for you” takes hold, it seems like dems should be calling them out quickly and loudly to make sure folks know that they deserve no credit for any of it, and that the new infrastructure benefits are coming DESPITE the efforts of their republican leadership
I copied this from Heather Cox Richardson's Letters from an American, exactly to this point.
Representative Rob Wittman (R-VA) has a new ad out boasting that “Congressman Rob Wittman is Bringing Broadband to the Northern Neck.” “It’s the future,” the ad reads, and Wittman “has helped bring broadband to thousands of homes and businesses. And he will not stop until every Virginian is given an equal opportunity to connect to the future.”
Wittman voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
This needs to be countered with a loud rebuttal, that HE DID NOT VOTE to expand broadband, he voted against it! Loud and clear! the evidence that it is a lie! I just don't know who should be the point person to get these counter attacks launched. Just being nice doesn't send the right message in this situation.
Yup!!! How?? Who??
Messaging needs to be tailored to the local scene as well as national. State specific messages telling people how their particular state is and will benefit from Biden's agenda, i.e, seniors in Florida will be able to have home care instead of being forced into nursing homes, Route 95 widening project will be completed, etc.
Thanks for the "open mic," Robert. There are so many, many good suggestions here. I especially hope that the suggestions to call out the dishonest GOP who are taking credit--don't they have some nerve?-- and blasting their "no" votes on all of these initiatives. Also, the many suggestions to hire the Lincoln project or other smart, pithy writers to craft messages about BBB need to be heeded and in a hurry!
Here's my question: Along with many thousands of others, I donate regularly to the DNC. What are they doing with the money??--We know it's not been going to messaging. So often it feels like we're just shouting into the wind!
Hi, Crystal. You raise a point that is echoed by many other readers. The DNC needs to do a better job of communicating the value that it brings to the party. It plays a vital role, but it needs to do a better job of communicating what it is doing. For many Democrats, they believe that the DNC is the point organization on every issue and candidate. While that is not completely accurate, it needs to be more visible and present during these challenging times.
In the extremely gerrymandered states, is it even possible for a Democrat to win?? This is what I worry about…..all of this work may be just a waste of time and resources without voting regulations.
Hi, Kathy. I know that some prominent Democrats are saying that it is literally impossible for Democrats to win in gerrymandered states. They are wrong and are doing immense damage to the Democratic Party. First, we are not powerless to overcome daunting odds. Turnout matters more than anything else. If 100% of Democrats (or something close to that) turned out for an election, no amount of gerrymandering could be successful. But, more importantly, if Democrats are sending the message that it is hopeless to contest difficult races, why would anyone bother to support Democratic candidates. Please don't fall for the doomsayers. Georgia is a good example. Dems were supposed to lose both Senate seats; they won both because of unexpected developments. So, let's not give up the fight, no matter how long the odds.
I live in an GA--GOP just gerrymandered Lucy McBath's seat out!! I actually don't think it's possible to win--without the voting rights ACT. BBB is great, but if Voting Rights aren't passed, THAT will be Biden's legacy. How come we aren't hearing more about this from Biden?
I do not have the answer but I suspect Biden knows he still doesn't have the votes for that. I think he is building on his wins and the negotiating work that has already been done on the BBB and the allure of making all those things happen. As I've ben learning more and more about systemic racism and its long term and long lasting affects, I see that BBB family initiatives alone will make huge differences in the individuals powers and outcomes of our repressed citizens of color, especially Blacks. I do have a tendency to "read across" books to pull together the overall lessons. For that, I recommend both "Blowout" by Rachel Maddow and "Caste" by Isabel Wilkerson. Both meticulously point out, slowly but surely, how rich corporations and despots around the world have arranged to keep people of African descent and other people of color, too, as the underclasses who do the work, stay poor and poorly educated, and powerless. Until more of us understand the fears and motivations of our opponents, we cannot adequately deal with them head on. I have every confidence the Voting rights bill will pass. I also trust that the order things are being tackled makes sense overall. As Robert would say, be calm and stay the course.
I am a Democrat living in the R state of Georgia. Living in a county that flipped all Commission seats D in 2020, in a zip code that remains all R, in a district that elected Lucy McBath in 2016 by a narrow margin…and now with our GOP Gerrymandering…Lucy is forced to move to the only remaining D stronghold district with a face off against incumbent Carolyn Bordeaux. My school post is held by an entrenched 81 year old white man who spouts racism and conspiracy theories using the School District Email and has been re-elected for the past 11 years. My neighbor flies a Confederate flag alongside his American flag alongside his Trump 2024 and White Chicks for Trump signs. I’m involved at the local, state and national levels. There are a multitude of D’s here…but we have been strategically watered down by the stronghold at our state Capitol.
Hi, Betty. Thanks for being an active Democrat in a deep red part of Georgia. It must be dispiriting and cannot be easy. But please keep up the fight. You have two Democratic Senators, an outcome that seemed impossible a few years ago. It is unforgivable and probably illegal for teh school board member to use a School District Email to send racist emails. Perhaps that is a story that a national publication like WaPo would be interested in covering. or perhaps a local newspaper?
We will keep chiseling away and celebrate all accomplishments...and yes all of this is for the Grandchildren of the Future.
Our school board has been written about quite a bit (Cobb County, GA):
https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cobb-county/cobb-county-parents-upset-school-board-member-sharing-false-vaccine-information/IC25EDXLSVF6RPZNBLYPFRA2VU/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/24/georgia-teachers-deaths/
And we are also a little famous for our views in 2006 on evolution...being a theory and not a Fact (LOL) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selman_v._Cobb_County_School_District
Hi Betty,
I, too, am a Georgian right down the road from you. Admittedly, living in the City of Decatur is like living on an island of "Blue sanity." The GOP gerrymandering that forced Lucy McBath to move districts and run against another Dem, C.B, sickened me and my fear is that without the Voting Rights Act, it won't make a d_______d bit of difference how many voters turn out in the mid-terms with the deck so artificially and dishonestly stacked against majority rule.
Did any one say bumper stickers??? I find them so visible... they’re could be a democratic theme color-design even with different groups coming up with different slogans like the great short ones suggested....
No one mentioned it previously, but we should add it to the list!
Thank you for the shout out to Dems in deep red states (think KY, Mitch & Rand..sigh). We are working hard in Louisville to register & get out the vote. We have a volunteer group that has ongoing training opportunities to fit every kind of desire to serve (door knocking to delivering postcards to writers). We have recruited folks to serve as precinct leaders and walking their neighborhoods & connecting with people. Messaging is going to be so important going forward and I'm so glad to be seeing this conversation in your newsletter. It will help us as we walk our neighborhoods and branch out throughout the state
JP, thanks for your efforts in Louisville. If I can help promote your efforts, don't hesitate to ask. Email me at rhubbell@outlook.com
Our goal should be to help every Democrat get his/her NAME on every ballot! Find a non-voting neighbor, friend, acquaintance, or family member who supports Democratic values and get a commitment to actually vote. This would be more energy effective than trying to change the minds of Republicans.
Agree 100%!
No shortage of material for Democrats to message on. Jennifer Rubin’s column today emphasizes that point… https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/01/democrats-will-have-no-shortage-material-their-2022-campaigns/
I’m writing to you from northwestern WI, where all the women are strong & the men are good looking! Our specific county, as well as others, are working to get more local representation in our county boards. Gerrymandering has hurt us up here but we do have a good Governor. The R's in our state government are still dancing to what Scott Walker started. Reading the comments to you are helpful as they give us support.
Thank you for continuing the fight despite gerrymandering. I hope that you serve as a model for others in WI to remain engaged.