It's NOT the messaging

[Septua]

The pundits keep saying Democrats are struggling in the polls because they can't get the 'messaging' right. I would argue many of the people being polled are uninformed of the overall political situation. They only know the cost of gas and groceries is high and whatever the next door ever-Trumper, Facebook or Fox tells them.

Every time they fill the tank or replenish the pantry, they cuss Biden and the Democrats for inflation. Biden and Democrats in general are telling them how the future benefits of new legislation will make their lives better but they will vote their gut emotions on November 8.

You can't make a successful 'message' against ignorance.

[mcar]

1. You also can't make a successful message

when the MSM ignores it.

[Septua]

7. The MSM I watch pushes...

..the upside of Biden and the threat to democracy every day, all day long.

[mcar]

9. Who do you watch?

[Septua]

15. MSNBC

I turn on 'Morning Joe' in the morning and record every show that comes on from 3P to 10P (CDT). And they all broadcast pretty much the same topics: Trump's lies, Republican hypocrisy, the threat to democracy.

[SYFROYH]

2. I think just the opposite. If they are ignorant, we can fill the void.

But messaging on the Democratic agenda has always been tricky unless we have a clear foe who isn't governing well like W or Trump.

[Silent3]

11. Only by simplifying to the point of either lying or...

…sacrificing good policy for that which is easier to communicate to the ignorant, simple-minded, and out-of-touch.

Voters should know without having it spoon-fed to them that keeping our democracy is more important than having a substance-free hissy fit about gas prices that doesn’t even bother to take into account the many causes of inflation or whether Republicans really have a plan to help.

[Dawson Leery]

3. kick

[Sympthsical]

4. Proactive vs Reactive

Proactive response to conditions is always, always, always better than a reactive one. A reactive posture puts one back on one's heels and leaves many openings for attack.

My problem with our inflation messaging since the summer has been that it has been so reactive. I've been trying to get a sense of what we as a party are putting out there, and all I can get a bead on is, "Why this is not our fault."

That just doesn't instill a lot of confidence or enthusiastic feeling in a voter to vote for you.

The only response people want to hear out of us is, "We know what you're going through, this is appalling, and here is what we're going to do if re-elected in November to get your life back on track as quickly as possible."

That's it.

But that isn't the vibe we're managing. "Republicans suck and it's not our fault," is just very limp. It feels like everyone's just tired and doesn't want to deal with any of it. And if you sound tired of your job, don't worry, voters will put someone else there.

[XanaDUer2]

5. +

[Septua]

18. The only response people want to hear...

.."We know what you're going through, this is appalling, and here is what we're going to do if re-elected in November to get your life back on track as quickly as possible."

I've heard Biden say that numerous times and it's not working. Well, maybe some...at the moment, the polls are 50/50 which in itself defies the norm for mid-term elections and previous forecasts of a big red wave. I also saw a stat yesterday that early voting in GA was near double that in 2018 and which set a record. But does it mean more Republicans are voting or more Democrats? Since Republicans don't like large turnouts, one has to think it's Democrats.

I have to agree with Carville...quit talking about gas prices and go negative against the Republicans.

[Sympthsical]

19. I've seen the opposite

When he gets asked about inflation, his main response that I've seen multiple times is 1) Get mad at the reporter for even asking the question and 2) Talk about how it's the greatest economy ever. Then people who are already voting for us get excited because he's "Not putting up with the media's shit!"

It's so tone deaf.

Maybe that's changed in the past week or two. I hope so. I know he's going to Pennsylvania again, and I do not envision those people being in the mood for that kind of response.

[rurallib]

6. The Powell Memo from way back when (?1970)

said 'we own the media, let's use it' and they have done so ever since.

You may have the most brilliant message ever but if the platforms to disseminate that message are owned by your enemies, the message won't get out. They still own like 95% of the media.

Quick name one truly liberal outlet - and I remind you that MSNBC is owned by NBC.

The only ones I can think of are Free Speech TV and WCPT in Chicago and KTNF in Minneapolis. NPR is not by any means liberal.

[Hekate]

8. Which is why I 100% endorse Biden releasing gas from the oil reserves & forgiving college loans &...

… pardoning people imprisoned for pot possession. Now. This minute. Before the elections.

To those who whine that it’s “political,” I say, “And your point is?”

[JHB]

10. It's not the message, it's the lack of amplifiers

The Right has built numerous overlapping media empires and ecosystems that repeat their messages until they become the background radiation of the nation, normalizing their spin. And mainstream outlets have been consistently bent in that direction to avoid accusations of "bias."

There's simply no equivalent apparatus creating a drumbeat of liberal and Democratic messaging.

[StormKing]

12. Please remember

In my opinion, you are getting worked up because you expect people to come to the conclusions that you come to. I could use the phrase common Sense even though you didn't use those words. Well the thing is common sense isn't common. So yes other than outright Trump supporters and people that are absolutely voting Democrats there are people in the middle that aren't as convinced as you want them to be.

🤷

I don't think getting frustrated at them is the right response.

I hope the media is wrong about Republicans winning, but they're never wrong to say that the Democratic party should work on its messaging. Getting the right messaging is a continuing journey not a destination. I hope that makes sense.

[Septua]

23. I don't expect everybody to reach the same conclusions; but I do expect...

..people to do some research and fact-checking, then accept the truth.

Republicans spend their days spreading lies and half-truths. Rigged voting machines, Italian satellites, Nest thermostats changing Trump votes to Biden votes. It's the shit you see in science fiction movies. People with or without common sense should be asking, where's the proof?

[StormKing]

26. Asking for proof is a taught reflex

Asking for proof is something people are taught to do.

And some people are not.

And doing so feels alien to them.

🤷

With them it's gotta be the message.

[betsuni]

13. I don't really get the whole messaging thing because I can't imagine what the magic messaging

might be.

People know what Democrats stand for whether they realize it or not. Government. But people are massively ignorant about what government is, too many believe childish demonization by Republicans since Reagan.

I'll never forget Lewis Black getting angry at an audience member who asked him a question and made a snarky comment about government. Lewis said his parents worked for the government, who the hell do you think the government is? People like his parents.

Why I can't stand anyone who calls Democrats "coastal elites" "establishment" "corporatists" "ideologically and morally bankrupt" and that they're only in it for campaign contributions which apparently go straight into their pockets and not to pay for things. I HATE those populist idiots who don't know anything.

So yes, there's no magic message that's going to overcome the ignorance. How to reach all the politiphobes who think there are easy solutions and the only problem is that both sides are corrupt crooks & liars.

[treestar]

14. how stupid a person has to be

to think a Republican congress will matter that much to gas prices is beyond belief.

And the M$M would not be blaming an R President.

How stupid does one have to be to think the President "runs the country" and is therefore doing a poor job because of price for any one commodity?

The problem in the US is stupid people, not "messaging" for anyone.

Or, the "Messaging" needs to recognize their stupidity, but then what is the message for that?

[Septua]

16. James Carville said recently...

..that the Dems should spend the next two weeks telling people that, per McCarthy, the Republicans are planning to shut down the government if SS and Medicare programs aren't slashed.

Link to tweet

?s=20&t=UA-gIK0POcAA9iWopst3OQ

[dalton99a]

17. +1. People on here have been saying the same thing

[Hermit-The-Prog]

20. The messaging is M$M with 24/7 "gas prices, INFLATION"

tv: economy INFLATION gas prices abortion laws INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices INFLATION groceries INFLATION voting rights gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices threat to democracy INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices record profits INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION fascism economy INFLATION gas prices INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION economy INFLATION gas prices INFLATION groceries INFLATION gas prices INFLATION

tv: What is your primary concern, going into the midterms?

real 'Murkin: INFLATION!

tv: And there you have it, folks! After the barrage of 50 commercials for overpriced pharmaceuticals you don't need and health insurance that will bankrupt you, we'll be back for an update on INFLATION!

The reason for this is to get more campaign ad money, or to get more tax cutters and deregulators elected. The billionaires behind M$M get richer either way.

[ananda]

21. I agree. Another reason is that...

Republican lies and false-framing get a lot of
media time and friendly coverage, while
Democratic messages don't.

[Prairie_Seagull]

22. No one should be reticent to rebut their falce statements with

sternly stated facts followed by vision oriented lofty rhetoric.

Then pound vision mercilessly.


Easy for me to say.

[Septua]

24. You can't message against...

..white nationalism.

[myohmy2]

25. they...

...must want Dems to make the boogie-man go away and Make It Better...

...okay, what should Dems be doing that they are not now doing to make that nasty boogie-man go away?...well,

...sucking republican ass is not the answer, they are mostly nasty scary boogie-men...oh boy,

...who controls our banking, the oil industry, wall-street, housing, food chains, our economy in general, if not the nasty scary republican boogie-men then who?...hmmm,

...we're getting screwed with inflation by republican corporate America...electing more republicans and will only guarantee tax breaks for the rich, unemployment for the rest of us as we fight amongst ourselves to lap up the 'trickle' down their legs in the days ahead...

...wow...

[Demsrule86]

27. Our gas is down...I got gas for 3.20 two days ago and it is lower now.