Anti-Women. Anti-Democracy. Pro-Putin. How can we be losing?

[skip fox]

Poor messaging.

These three items would trump what right-wing media focuses on (inflation, crime, immigration) if Democrats would stress them and not simply be defensive about the others.

Esp. the anti-woman since the issue is far from theoretical.

[lindysalsagal]

1. Racism.

[MontanaMama]

2. I don't believe we are losing.

Don’t believe the polls and the MSM. They have a vested interest in making it appear Democrats are losing.

[skip fox]

8. Boy, I hope you're right.

Michael Moore believes that as well.

[blm]

3. Dem machine doesn't seem engaged this cycle, and

I’m seeing that from a swing state.

[iemanja]

4. We're against historical headwinds

the governing party nearly always loses seats in the midterms.

[Sympthsical]

5. "How are we losing?"

*doesn't make inflation a top three concern*

I mean . . . uh . . . it's kind of that right there, to be honest.

I continue to be flabbergasted at just how determined people are to not understand that inflationary economic conditions have hammered Americans and it's what they care a lot about right now.

This refusal to understand feels intentional at this point. Honestly. I have no other explanation.

(Note: I don't think we're losing. I just think it's close, coin toss, up in the air - and things can change in two and a half weeks).

[skip fox]

7. Inflation is not simply a U.S. problem.

We should point that out, sympathize with people, and then go on the offense with the treatment of women, the impeding loss of democracy, and now with Republicans' cold feet concerning Ukraine.

[Sympthsical]

11. This isn't an answer

And I'm stymied why people keep saying this. "It's a global problem." I mean, yes, that is very true. But it's also not an answer.

The question isn't "What's the deal with inflation?" The question is, "What are you going to do about it?"

I saw a clip of the President last week, where he's sitting there eating an ice cream cone, asked about inflation, and answers with how amazing and awesome the economy is.

And I just . . . face-palmed. So hard. If you imagine that clip got played everywhere on the Right, you're only ordinarily prescient.

People are hurting. They want to know what politicians will do. If both sides don't offer solutions, the default choice becomes, "Current people aren't working. Let's try other people." Even if we know it doesn't work (just like changing lanes constantly on a highway is making it worse) people still do it because of the perception it will be better.

Inflation is global. Yes, and winter is cold. These are neat facts to know. Still need to pay my heating bill, though. How are efforts at helping with that going?

Identifying the problem isn't the answer. The solution is the answer. This is Politics 101.

Republicans always have solutions. They're often terrible ones, but they do have them. "Cut spending, stop immigration!" Probably won't work, but it's what they're offering. What are we offering for inflation besides this tepid, "Well, you know, it's global."

[Justice matters.]

12. Because, "global" it actually is? And if any watcher thinks the far-right will "fix" it...

and vote for them to "punish" liberals, they are fooling themselves.

The Fascist far-right in power will only make inflation a thousand times worse!

[Sympthsical]

18. Thank you

For almost making it almost through half. I know I get verbose.

[skip fox]

14. We should deal with it but not dwell on it, especially when we have such dire warnings.

My instinct is to be defensive, but I realize with such stakes we should go on the offensive.

We should talk about the threats to women's rights to governing their own body and the public's right to vote and have that vote counted and recorded accurately as well as the world's need to stand behind Ukraine.

I'm not belittling inflation (I'm retired and living on a fixed income), but I know when we're on the defense we're on their territory and they are ruthless (have you seen the thousands of clips, some using night vision, of migrants coming over the border on FOx?) we're losing.

But they are losing with women's rights and democracy. Their arguments are frail when not farfetched. Let's talk about inflation/crime/migration but pivot, a.s.a.p. to our strengths.

[Sympthsical]

17. And that's what's hurting us

"Don't dwell on it."

Hell, some approaches are, "Don't even mention it" or "Blatantly ignore it," which is not what voters want as a response. That's why the President's answer last week was so head-shaking.

I got into an argument with some DUers - and I wish I were kidding - over whether or not grocery prices were increasing. How head in the sand is deep enough while we're busily not "dwelling on it"? If you want to signal to voters, "Hey, I don't give a fuck what you're dealing with," I cannot think of a more effective way to do so.

And the answer is to call people pro-Putin? As if the electorate is engaged in the same Twitter slapfights social media addicts are. It's so wildly out of touch. I just cannot fathom it. We're going to need cranes to get some people out of the dunes they're managing.

I agree on reproductive rights. We should be hammering it. I feel like going after it vigorously has not been happening as much as it should.

January 6th is literally at the bottom of the priority lists in numerous polls. Just absolutely not a thing. People need to stop with that for a few weeks. It doesn't resonate, no one cares. I'm not saying people don't have an opinion on it - they do. Ask someone a question about anything and they'll have an opinion on it. But they don't care. It's not a priority, they're not waking up thinking about it every day.

[Elessar Zappa]

6. I'm not convinced we're losing but

if we do, it will be because of inflation. Many people don’t think deeper than their wallet.

[Ferrets are Cool]

19. I must disagree. IF they "thought" with their wallets, they would never vote for a repug...

THEY CAN'T THINK DEEPER THAN THE LETTER R.

[mcar]

9. Don't fall for RW and media spin

We are not losing. Maybe do some canvassing or phone banking with your Democratic Party.

[LakeArenal]

10. We aren't. But keep trying to convince us we are wrong.

Can’t anyone wait two more weeks to complain and moan?

[dembotoz]

13. maybe we just have become a nation of a@@holes

i am happy to be old
not as happy for my kids

[skip fox]

15. At 75 I agree.

I won't have to live long on a dying planet or in a country that only pretends to be democratic, but my children and grandchildren will.

So my age is cold comfort. Cold indeed.

[jcgoldie]

16. Its a patriarchal system

Sexism is ingrained in conservative people of both sexes. Not to mention the reactionary racist anti-immigrant backlash due in large part to low self esteem and perceived loss of privilege.

[AggressiveCanary]

20. Inflation

If people feel they are falling behind economically then they are going to look at alternatives.

[icymist]

21. Because they don't understand what will happen if the Repuks win.

Last night I was telling my 70yo roommate (who has always voted Democratic) that the Republicans would abolish Social Security, Medicare, and Medicade. He didn't know this. Nobody is saying this to him. He actually didn't believe me.