As Barbara Jo Krieger suggests, resuscitating the late great Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan “we all do better when we all do better” is a good place to start. Democrats have to remind people that the Democratic Party is the party of the common good.
I think it also important for Democrats to stress that they’re the party of democracy, as opposed to the GOP, which has become more and more authoritarianism. The parallels between Trump and Putin mustn’t be overdone, but there **are** parallels, and Democrats should show them.
Finally, some of you may remember Al Gore’s 2000 campaign when he said “we represent the people; the other side represents the powerful.” Every time he said it, his approvals soared. Why did Gore stop using the phrase? I happen to know (because I spoke with several of his political advisers at the time): Several big Democratic corporate funders and wealthy donors objected. To me, that proved why the slogan was so important.
Thanks for this article Robert. So, slogans are important...."Build Back Better", "Yes We Can," "Change We Can Believe In," "Make America Great Again." To me, what is starkly different today is at no time in our recent past has democracy, continuing to live in a democratic country, ever been as truly threatened as it is today. How do you stay upbeat and optimistic and ignore the elephant (every pun intended) in the room?
There's an even simpler positive message that worked very well for Obama: "YES WE CAN!" I've been extremely irritated that Democrats seem to have forgotten about showing a bit of confidence since then. This message needs to be sprinkled in with the other positive messages.
I agree completely, though, that we need bumper sticker-like messages, like "Democrats work for people. Republicans (and SCOTUS) work for the rich and corporations."
People respond to public figures whom they like. We need charismatic spokespeople beloved in red states to film short TV spots called something like "Don't be fooled". Each one can explain where one of the big lies comes from. That will be far more persuasive than hearing the truth from CNN. A true explanation of "why" delivered in an even honest tone from someone you are inclined to trust can be very persuasive. When I learned from a source I trust that Sen. Manchin is heavily invested in fossil fuels, it suddenly became obvious why he is not supporting climate bills. Now it all makes sense. Who are the celebrities trusted in red states who can deliver the true reasons why?
I nominate Dolly Parton, Kevin Costner, & Taylor Sheridan Plus some sports stars like Jordan & Kareem Abdul Jabar & a couple football stars! Definitely don’t use politicians!
Thank you for the reference. It's helpful to campaign based on actual research. I was surprised to see that disability families and white working class women favored Republicans. Republicans are the ones who force the working class into low wage jobs with horrible working conditions, and Republicans certainly have not shown any concern for people with disabilities. There should be some room for Democrats' messaging there.
As to Ukraine. Don't know what the future holds. First Trump was told Putin was paying the Taliban for bounties on US troops, Next Trump released the Taliban from prison. Chaos ensued. Putin was sure that the US would re-elect Trump or if not, enlist idiots to support a civil war. Now, propaganda abounds. No doubt Putin is a war criminal.
borcht is not Putin. It is a Ukraine dish that is associated with unity made from beet roots. Most likely good food. Russian people are not our enemies either, it seems. Biden, not Putin, makes a better short message, IMHO
I think that's what another response didn't get about my comment on what a WV laborer wouldn't get about borscht. I doubt a WV laborer would make the connection between borscht and Putin.
Biden not borscht could be construed as antisemitic. Considering your last name, Daniel, I’m sure you wouldn’t want that any more than I, another Jew, do.
Indeed, there's an art to it. We're just spit-ballin here - practicin', if you will. This is also >exactly< the right place for observations like yours. We don't need to tromp on our whats'its 'cause we missed a faux pas!
I also know WVa. I gave several alternatives. I also speak fluent Black Lung. Republicans opposed "legal" pneumoconiosis. Republicans support mine owners. The most popular politicians in WVa history were Robert Byrd, and Rockefeller, who gave the state pork and liberalized Black Lung. But Byrd, was in the culture pattern. Played the fiddle. Danced the jig. Most Democrats in WVa look, sound like Manchin. Most of the state receives some form of governmental benefit. Unfortunately they are swayed by wedge issues like guns, gays and God. Didn't play him properly. The WVa equivalent to borcht is probably burgoo.
Professor, Sometime back, one of your subscribers had solicited ideas about messaging. At the time, I had suggested resuscitating the late Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan “We all do better when we all do better.” In my mind, this statement encapsulates much of Biden’s State of the Union address, after which his approvals rose 8 points.
I think that’s an excellent idea! “We all do better, when we all do better” not just a few at the very, very top. In addition I am reluctant to say but democrats must attack the Republican Party more directly. It doesn’t have to be a sledgehammer but it must be done. Do you think it is fair that a few have so much at the expense of others who live in poverty, who work hard everyday to support their families, who pay a higher percentage of their income than those at the very top? Do you think it’s fair that a few at the very top can afford to send their children to our excellent Universities, or any higher education at all while others who work just as hard and are every bit as smart or smarter cannot afford the same opportunity? Republicans have given the people at the very top great tax cuts while those below pay a higher percentage of their hard earned income. Use charts to show this. The extraordinarily rich didn’t get there without the help of their employees or their labor . We are all in this together. United we stand and divided we fall. If you want greater Inequality Vote Republican and let the ultra rich elites run this country to benefit themselves. If you believe we all do better when we all do better vote for Democratic. Don’t let this country become even more of an oligarchy by eliminating the middle class, the moral strength of democracy and fairness. It’s time for us to tell the truth. Republicans have blocked many things that the Democrats have tried to do for you in Congress just to get a political advantage. In spite of this Democrats have passed numerous legislation for your benefit signed by the President. Then give a list of the American Rescue plan provisions and tell the public what other things we want to do. Make no mistake our strength is it in our diversity and we are all really immigrants. We believe if you work hard you can get ahead but because of republican programs your efforts has been stymied. Let’s bring our entire country together, united, Republicans and Democrats striving to live up to our goal of making this the land of opportunity not for a few but for all.
Robin, I appreciate your thoughtful comment, and also imagine that Wellstone and his team were very much affected by the division between those who owned and controlled and those who did not when they drafted their campaign slogan. Moreover, I expect they were equally troubled by institutionally oppressive forces that had limited and confined opportunities that otherwise would have fulfilled collective needs.
In a more just America, ALL citizens can better flourish, according to timeless wisdom. Democrats should show how the "paragraphs they talk" ALL support this moral VISION.
Dems need to talk in bumper stickers using 4th grade words. Repeat, repeat….Trump campaigns to the lowest common denominator. Do that. Make it simple. “Take back freedom! Freedom to vote! Freedom to choose! Freedom to schools! Etc. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness— free.
The notion that Americans should get a fair chance to succeed has been obscured by narrow identity sectoral interests so why not focus on systematic abuses by the rich and offer a new deal that addresses tax loopholes and bolsters housing and education ,a new deal for a new age?
I especially like your focus on attacking "tax loopholes". A simple to understand message that everybody supports and separates us from the Republicans.
Yep! And most of us here oppose Citizens United - a Republican front organization supporting dark money for fun and profit. (Or >maybe< it's the other way 'round!)
"Maintain border security: Kill Oil" is incidentally green. Spending national treasure on the cartels is arguably worse than anything at the Southern border. It just makes the people directing your attention to that CF from the billions they make on cartel oil. Just sayin'. There's a more pressing need to go green than common virtue signaling.
Very good point. I guess in order for that idea to be effective, it would necessarily have to follow on a lot of PR about energy security vs Russian , Venezuelan, & the Saudi - Bin Laden, remember him? - cartel power. Most memes need to exist within a context they can represent and call to mind. Nice!
It seems that Democrats need a Zelenskyy more than a Biden or even a Kennedy, major diff being Zelenskyy can reach today's social media audience.
So can Trump. Both use their professional stage/TV/social media experience, which is what people today are conditioned to respond to. But what's the obvious difference there? Trump depends on negative motivation and dividing tactics -- fear, lies, slander, threats, stupidity, corruption, greed, ego, "them vs us," etc. -- while Zelenskyy uses positives -- higher causes, intelligence, working together, democracy, humility, charity, kindness, honesty, etc. Those ethics differences also have, in a sense, come to characterize our two political parties, but obviously, the Democrats aren't effectively using those differences, as if the party collectively contains a bunch of pocket-protector nerds and toe-in-sand apologists lacking PR, acting, and social media experience and talent -- which is ironic when Hollywood is so "blue."
Let the pencil pushers and white-paper writers toil behind the scenes. If the people drawing today's crowds are celebrities, like Trump and Zelensky, maybe the Democrats need a principled, positive, charismatic, professional entertainer, but much more Zelenskyy than Trump -- and a PR firm, and as pointed out, hats and bumper stickers. And when publishers are abridging classics, apparently Democrats need a 2-second slogan more than a two-hour message.
I, personally, think it's a sad comment on voters that they're having a tough time valuing democracy over fascism just because democracy lacks social media and entertainment skills, but then I grew up in earlier times. It is what it apparently is. Dems need to "use it or lose it," to release their death grip on ye olde tyme strategies. Simple fix: Get a charismatic, ethical actor to front the operation, with a PR firm to find the slogan and put it on a bright blue hat!
True. There must be something such a person would wear. A cap, in itself, sort of symbolizes things identified more with GOP voters -- pick up trucks with rifle racks, "good old boys." Not always, but maybe more so. A different type of hat? A shirt? But I guess hats could give the cap folks something to replace their MAGA hat. It just seems the wrong feeling. But maybe.
Upon further reflection, maybe it'll turn out we must fight hats with hats. Here's a notion: a dark blue ball-cap with the slogan: "Hats or Healthcare?" That can shorten to "H or H" after it's been around long enough. But I still think we need a fashion expert.
I'm stuck on that one, too. My mind doesn't work that way. Nevertheless, there >must< be a fashion expert out here somewhere, that can suggest something.
So . . . Do we need to use the same dishonest marketing techniques to sell the Truth that Republicans use to sell their Lies . . . those same techniques corporations that use to sell people their products?
The intellectual in me recoils at that thought. But the pragmatist in me says that we have to appeal to our fellow citizens in the ways that commercialism has conditioned them to expect. Truth left the building a long time ago.
You hit the nail on the head Mo777jet. Ronald Reagan was an actor. President Zelenskyy was an actor. People see through bullshit from career politicians.
That confuses me a little. Does it suggest that, if it's an actor, then it's bullshit-free? But...Trump. (There, "actor" is the wrong show biz term, but "clown" would be rude.) Reagan, I won't comment on. Also, I suppose there must be some non-"bullshit" career politicians. It's difficult to pigeonhole people with labels, but point in writing "actor," I guess, was that Trump and Zelenskyy have one thing in common: professional experience at making an impact on people, for good or bad; bullshit or not. It's the impact-making ability that seems to be what Democrats lack. If they were to recruit a professional impact-maker/actor (ideally, not clown), obviously, they'd need to avoid the bullshit component -- and maybe that's the tough part. Yes, Zelenskyy seems to know social media and impact-making, but he also seems real. A little overacting maybe, but for an extremely worthy cause; not "bullshit." First, they need a message, then a hat (??), then a sincere, intelligent, experienced, courageous actor. Where would Democrats find that?
That's another important consideration of the past 1/2 century. Celebrity politicians. A lot of football coach and other kind of jock Republican politicians in Congress. Glad you're noticin' that and bringin' it up here.
For forty years and more now the Democratic Party has run scared. Reagan succeeded in painting democrats as the party of big government and big taxes, and the Dems have quivered in fear and pleaded, “oh no, we’re the party of just slightly larger government and slightly larger taxes than the other guys, we’re really for the people, please believe us.” It hasn’t worked for forty years and it’s not working now. The Dems message should be Bernie’s message. No matter what else the corporate Dems might say about the progressive message, even they have to admit it has been consistently and effectively pro worker and inclusive. Biden should start by using the bully pulpit every day to call for a windfall profits tax on the greed of big oil and its investors.
Exactly. If Biden and the DNC supported the Progressives, they would get some fire and interest. But they are so scared of alienating some Republican Lights and the Rich Democrats that they don't do it. In my mind, that is the Best and Only way to save the Party. Make it stand for what they say it stands for, The People. Support the Progressive agenda. Move Forward as a Party and Government. Otherwise you are going to just continue to have many uninterested People and the Republicans will be in charge again soon. So what have you to lose? The Democrats you lose will be replaced by Democrats you get.
As someone pointed out above, rich people support both the Reptilians and the Democrats, making it difficult for Democrats to call out the plutocracy. To run a campaign like Bernie’s, you have to refuse to take $$ from corporations and oligarchs.
I remember how the Democratic National Committee sandbagged Bernie in the primary elections leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Why did they do it? Perhaps because their big $$ donors on Wall Street objected to the possibility of Bernie as the Democratic candidate for president. As long as we have money in bed with politics, we’ll never have a Great Society.
I like Archangel's "new deal for a new day." Unfortunately, Biden is not the orator Roosevelt was. And, I wonder how many millenials care about or understand what Roosevelt accomplished in pulling our country out of its depths of despair. Dems need to SHOW, not talk, about the 'have and have nots' in this country. Watching a war unfold daily before our eyes with not only Zelenskyy but THE PEOPLE AND THEIR STORIES have impacted the world. Let the people here speak for Biden and the Dems' policies. It's called smart marketing from the heart, not just the head. And, we all must work to get out the vote.: VoteFwd.org.
We Democrats need a hat. The Republicans have MAGA. What do we have? We need a slogan that will fit on a hat. Simple. Easy. Works for progressives, liberals and moderates. Suggestions, please?
I think they should just go with the straight honesty route. Stick with simple messages and slogans that really speak to how their supporters feel. Something like... "Dems 2022: Yes, We Can! But, We Won't!" Either that or, "Democrats: Hey, At Least We Don't Cage Children!"
In my opinion, the American people are tired of words, the same rhetoric they’ve heard over and over again. The country has become disillusioned, cynical and apathetic at this point. I fear that anything the democratic party and candidates say will fall on deaf ears.
My suggestion is really simple. Tell a story, create a visual that addresses each issue. Film a single mother and family struggling to pay bills on minimum wage. Follow it up with the democrat’s bill created to help them. End each video with congressional republicans voting against it. Do this on every single piece of legislation including Build Back Better, voting rights, women’s rights, etc. Always end each one with republicans voting no.
We live in a visual society, the one man who knows it better than most is Ukraine’s President Zelensky. During his address to Congress today he aired a heart wrenching video of the people of Ukraine, showing his beautiful cities and the carnage from Putin’s attacks. He knows that this video will get the attention of the people and we need to take a lesson from him
If the Republican 'leadership' likes Putin they should ask him when he will rebuild Ukraine? Do they care? Look what happened with Katrina, the hurricane in New Orleans. Our Republican president then was George W. Bush who had a horse show buddy in charge of FEMA who did a horrible job. The storm was forecast days before it happened. Idle busses could have ferried people out. Nursing homes with people in wheelchairs water up to their necks. 'Heck of a job, Brownie' said Bush to his FEMA Director.
As Barbara Jo Krieger suggests, resuscitating the late great Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan “we all do better when we all do better” is a good place to start. Democrats have to remind people that the Democratic Party is the party of the common good.
I think it also important for Democrats to stress that they’re the party of democracy, as opposed to the GOP, which has become more and more authoritarianism. The parallels between Trump and Putin mustn’t be overdone, but there **are** parallels, and Democrats should show them.
Finally, some of you may remember Al Gore’s 2000 campaign when he said “we represent the people; the other side represents the powerful.” Every time he said it, his approvals soared. Why did Gore stop using the phrase? I happen to know (because I spoke with several of his political advisers at the time): Several big Democratic corporate funders and wealthy donors objected. To me, that proved why the slogan was so important.
By the way, In my book the only Democratic political adviser/operative who knows what he’s talking about is Stanley Greenberg. Take a look at Greenberg's latest piece for the American Prospect, here: https://prospect.org/politics/democrats-speak-to-working-class-discontent/
Thanks for this article Robert. So, slogans are important...."Build Back Better", "Yes We Can," "Change We Can Believe In," "Make America Great Again." To me, what is starkly different today is at no time in our recent past has democracy, continuing to live in a democratic country, ever been as truly threatened as it is today. How do you stay upbeat and optimistic and ignore the elephant (every pun intended) in the room?
The people, not the powerful. I really like that; but they have to show how they’re going to make good on, this time.
Great slogan! And it fits on a hat!
I prefer positive messaging you describe over negative.
There's an even simpler positive message that worked very well for Obama: "YES WE CAN!" I've been extremely irritated that Democrats seem to have forgotten about showing a bit of confidence since then. This message needs to be sprinkled in with the other positive messages.
I agree completely, though, that we need bumper sticker-like messages, like "Democrats work for people. Republicans (and SCOTUS) work for the rich and corporations."
People respond to public figures whom they like. We need charismatic spokespeople beloved in red states to film short TV spots called something like "Don't be fooled". Each one can explain where one of the big lies comes from. That will be far more persuasive than hearing the truth from CNN. A true explanation of "why" delivered in an even honest tone from someone you are inclined to trust can be very persuasive. When I learned from a source I trust that Sen. Manchin is heavily invested in fossil fuels, it suddenly became obvious why he is not supporting climate bills. Now it all makes sense. Who are the celebrities trusted in red states who can deliver the true reasons why?
I nominate Dolly Parton, Kevin Costner, & Taylor Sheridan Plus some sports stars like Jordan & Kareem Abdul Jabar & a couple football stars! Definitely don’t use politicians!
Thank you for the reference. It's helpful to campaign based on actual research. I was surprised to see that disability families and white working class women favored Republicans. Republicans are the ones who force the working class into low wage jobs with horrible working conditions, and Republicans certainly have not shown any concern for people with disabilities. There should be some room for Democrats' messaging there.
I seem to recall ol' Tweety making a big display mocking someone having a disability. The imponderables are >everywhere!<
That slogan is too long to fit on a hat. We need something short and punchy to put on a bright blue hat.
Exactly what is needed. Do Dems have the chops to make it happen. Worry.
Then maybe something related to bringing jobs back to America.
Thanks for the ref, Prof!
The best message on messaging yet:
"Democrats offer white papers and they talk in paragraphs. Republicans offer fearful stories and talk in bumper stickers."
By George, I believe Dr Reich has it completely surrounded!
Democracy not Fascism!
No dictators.
Love America, hate dictators.
People before profits.
People not Putin.
Truth not a great big lie.
America not Putin.
Biden not borcht.
As to Ukraine. Don't know what the future holds. First Trump was told Putin was paying the Taliban for bounties on US troops, Next Trump released the Taliban from prison. Chaos ensued. Putin was sure that the US would re-elect Trump or if not, enlist idiots to support a civil war. Now, propaganda abounds. No doubt Putin is a war criminal.
borcht is not Putin. It is a Ukraine dish that is associated with unity made from beet roots. Most likely good food. Russian people are not our enemies either, it seems. Biden, not Putin, makes a better short message, IMHO
I think that's what another response didn't get about my comment on what a WV laborer wouldn't get about borscht. I doubt a WV laborer would make the connection between borscht and Putin.
Nice and short, suitable for bumper stickers!
Biden not borscht could be construed as antisemitic. Considering your last name, Daniel, I’m sure you wouldn’t want that any more than I, another Jew, do.
Indeed, there's an art to it. We're just spit-ballin here - practicin', if you will. This is also >exactly< the right place for observations like yours. We don't need to tromp on our whats'its 'cause we missed a faux pas!
Quintessential Russian beet soup signifying nichevo = nothing. You ain't got jack.
Yes, but would a laborer in WV get it? That's where Dems have lost ground.
I also know WVa. I gave several alternatives. I also speak fluent Black Lung. Republicans opposed "legal" pneumoconiosis. Republicans support mine owners. The most popular politicians in WVa history were Robert Byrd, and Rockefeller, who gave the state pork and liberalized Black Lung. But Byrd, was in the culture pattern. Played the fiddle. Danced the jig. Most Democrats in WVa look, sound like Manchin. Most of the state receives some form of governmental benefit. Unfortunately they are swayed by wedge issues like guns, gays and God. Didn't play him properly. The WVa equivalent to borcht is probably burgoo.
Let me stew on that a bit.
That's the idea.
I don't know who you are but they were reported to Trump. And then he released the Taliban.
I guess somebody - perhaps a "friend" he publicly embraced - knew exactly how vulnerable ol' Tweety was with his "I heard some things" spiel.
Got a link debunking it? Use it if you do. I, for one, would be interested in seeing it. You're making the claim. Show us what it's based on.
Good article. I guess that just shows how effective rumor is in fomenting confusion. Well done with that article.
Much ado about bs. The fact is that it was reported to Trump.
I second that comment!
Professor, Sometime back, one of your subscribers had solicited ideas about messaging. At the time, I had suggested resuscitating the late Senator Paul Wellstone’s campaign slogan “We all do better when we all do better.” In my mind, this statement encapsulates much of Biden’s State of the Union address, after which his approvals rose 8 points.
I think that’s an excellent idea! “We all do better, when we all do better” not just a few at the very, very top. In addition I am reluctant to say but democrats must attack the Republican Party more directly. It doesn’t have to be a sledgehammer but it must be done. Do you think it is fair that a few have so much at the expense of others who live in poverty, who work hard everyday to support their families, who pay a higher percentage of their income than those at the very top? Do you think it’s fair that a few at the very top can afford to send their children to our excellent Universities, or any higher education at all while others who work just as hard and are every bit as smart or smarter cannot afford the same opportunity? Republicans have given the people at the very top great tax cuts while those below pay a higher percentage of their hard earned income. Use charts to show this. The extraordinarily rich didn’t get there without the help of their employees or their labor . We are all in this together. United we stand and divided we fall. If you want greater Inequality Vote Republican and let the ultra rich elites run this country to benefit themselves. If you believe we all do better when we all do better vote for Democratic. Don’t let this country become even more of an oligarchy by eliminating the middle class, the moral strength of democracy and fairness. It’s time for us to tell the truth. Republicans have blocked many things that the Democrats have tried to do for you in Congress just to get a political advantage. In spite of this Democrats have passed numerous legislation for your benefit signed by the President. Then give a list of the American Rescue plan provisions and tell the public what other things we want to do. Make no mistake our strength is it in our diversity and we are all really immigrants. We believe if you work hard you can get ahead but because of republican programs your efforts has been stymied. Let’s bring our entire country together, united, Republicans and Democrats striving to live up to our goal of making this the land of opportunity not for a few but for all.
Robin, I appreciate your thoughtful comment, and also imagine that Wellstone and his team were very much affected by the division between those who owned and controlled and those who did not when they drafted their campaign slogan. Moreover, I expect they were equally troubled by institutionally oppressive forces that had limited and confined opportunities that otherwise would have fulfilled collective needs.
I'd wear that t-shirt.
In a more just America, ALL citizens can better flourish, according to timeless wisdom. Democrats should show how the "paragraphs they talk" ALL support this moral VISION.
How? With more paragraphs?
Dems need to talk in bumper stickers using 4th grade words. Repeat, repeat….Trump campaigns to the lowest common denominator. Do that. Make it simple. “Take back freedom! Freedom to vote! Freedom to choose! Freedom to schools! Etc. Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness— free.
Agree. I learned this in the first Eisenhower-Stevenson contest: Democrats overthink. Republicans underthink. Underthinking wins elections.
>Exactly!<
The notion that Americans should get a fair chance to succeed has been obscured by narrow identity sectoral interests so why not focus on systematic abuses by the rich and offer a new deal that addresses tax loopholes and bolsters housing and education ,a new deal for a new age?
I especially like your focus on attacking "tax loopholes". A simple to understand message that everybody supports and separates us from the Republicans.
Living wage or loophole?
Put that on a bumper sticker and display it.
Copyright gratis to the USA.
Yes, should resonate with voters.
Yep! And most of us here oppose Citizens United - a Republican front organization supporting dark money for fun and profit. (Or >maybe< it's the other way 'round!)
"Maintain border security: Kill Oil" is incidentally green. Spending national treasure on the cartels is arguably worse than anything at the Southern border. It just makes the people directing your attention to that CF from the billions they make on cartel oil. Just sayin'. There's a more pressing need to go green than common virtue signaling.
Very good point. I guess in order for that idea to be effective, it would necessarily have to follow on a lot of PR about energy security vs Russian , Venezuelan, & the Saudi - Bin Laden, remember him? - cartel power. Most memes need to exist within a context they can represent and call to mind. Nice!
It seems that Democrats need a Zelenskyy more than a Biden or even a Kennedy, major diff being Zelenskyy can reach today's social media audience.
So can Trump. Both use their professional stage/TV/social media experience, which is what people today are conditioned to respond to. But what's the obvious difference there? Trump depends on negative motivation and dividing tactics -- fear, lies, slander, threats, stupidity, corruption, greed, ego, "them vs us," etc. -- while Zelenskyy uses positives -- higher causes, intelligence, working together, democracy, humility, charity, kindness, honesty, etc. Those ethics differences also have, in a sense, come to characterize our two political parties, but obviously, the Democrats aren't effectively using those differences, as if the party collectively contains a bunch of pocket-protector nerds and toe-in-sand apologists lacking PR, acting, and social media experience and talent -- which is ironic when Hollywood is so "blue."
Let the pencil pushers and white-paper writers toil behind the scenes. If the people drawing today's crowds are celebrities, like Trump and Zelensky, maybe the Democrats need a principled, positive, charismatic, professional entertainer, but much more Zelenskyy than Trump -- and a PR firm, and as pointed out, hats and bumper stickers. And when publishers are abridging classics, apparently Democrats need a 2-second slogan more than a two-hour message.
I, personally, think it's a sad comment on voters that they're having a tough time valuing democracy over fascism just because democracy lacks social media and entertainment skills, but then I grew up in earlier times. It is what it apparently is. Dems need to "use it or lose it," to release their death grip on ye olde tyme strategies. Simple fix: Get a charismatic, ethical actor to front the operation, with a PR firm to find the slogan and put it on a bright blue hat!
...or, no. Zelenskyy wouldn't wear a bright blue hat. The Dems might do better using that as a measure: what would Zelenskyy do?
Yes, that’s it! A bumper sticker that says, “What Would Zelensky Do?”
It's catchy, but "What Would Zelenskyy Do" about >what?< It needs context.
What Would Zelenskyy Do? Vote Democratic! (Get permission to use his foto on the bumper sticker.)
He's European. Many Uke fighters will have no uniforms. A traditional European-style armband, a two-color armband, blue on top and yellow at the bottom, would probably be his choice - for the fighters in the field. I don't think that armband thing would fly well in the US. Too many negative associations: https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP.xW01rzMIw5runYOdGuLD-gHaGN%26pid%3DApi&f=1
True. There must be something such a person would wear. A cap, in itself, sort of symbolizes things identified more with GOP voters -- pick up trucks with rifle racks, "good old boys." Not always, but maybe more so. A different type of hat? A shirt? But I guess hats could give the cap folks something to replace their MAGA hat. It just seems the wrong feeling. But maybe.
Upon further reflection, maybe it'll turn out we must fight hats with hats. Here's a notion: a dark blue ball-cap with the slogan: "Hats or Healthcare?" That can shorten to "H or H" after it's been around long enough. But I still think we need a fashion expert.
This is strictly facetious because I’m in a mood, but how about a wizard’s hat?
Brings up an image of a klan rally, to me. Just sayin'.
How about a sun hat with a little brim ? Spectator at Wimbledon? Def no!
I'm stuck on that one, too. My mind doesn't work that way. Nevertheless, there >must< be a fashion expert out here somewhere, that can suggest something.
CALLING ALL FASHION EXPERTS!
See my comment above.
So . . . Do we need to use the same dishonest marketing techniques to sell the Truth that Republicans use to sell their Lies . . . those same techniques corporations that use to sell people their products?
The intellectual in me recoils at that thought. But the pragmatist in me says that we have to appeal to our fellow citizens in the ways that commercialism has conditioned them to expect. Truth left the building a long time ago.
Something about heroes and heroism. That’s what Zelenskyy represents. Can you imagine Moscow Mitch and his gang of thugs being heroes?
I do not like to name names but we do need a whole new congress on both sides!
You hit the nail on the head Mo777jet. Ronald Reagan was an actor. President Zelenskyy was an actor. People see through bullshit from career politicians.
That confuses me a little. Does it suggest that, if it's an actor, then it's bullshit-free? But...Trump. (There, "actor" is the wrong show biz term, but "clown" would be rude.) Reagan, I won't comment on. Also, I suppose there must be some non-"bullshit" career politicians. It's difficult to pigeonhole people with labels, but point in writing "actor," I guess, was that Trump and Zelenskyy have one thing in common: professional experience at making an impact on people, for good or bad; bullshit or not. It's the impact-making ability that seems to be what Democrats lack. If they were to recruit a professional impact-maker/actor (ideally, not clown), obviously, they'd need to avoid the bullshit component -- and maybe that's the tough part. Yes, Zelenskyy seems to know social media and impact-making, but he also seems real. A little overacting maybe, but for an extremely worthy cause; not "bullshit." First, they need a message, then a hat (??), then a sincere, intelligent, experienced, courageous actor. Where would Democrats find that?
You may enjoy the political comment in this little 1982 gem: https://www.amazon.com/Mephisto-Klaus-Maria-Brandauer/dp/B08D5ZXYYK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33Q87EXTAA10V&keywords=mephisto&qid=1647510402&s=instant-video&sprefix=mephisto%2Cinstant-video%2C170&sr=1-1
Thanks. Maybe worth watching even just for Bond villain Brandaeur.
Glad you noticed it's Brandaeur. He was cast perfectly in the lead role - imho.
Yes but look what happened to Al Frankel. Sigh.
Sad about Franken- much ado about nothing, IMO. Childish prank, but a good guy.
That's another important consideration of the past 1/2 century. Celebrity politicians. A lot of football coach and other kind of jock Republican politicians in Congress. Glad you're noticin' that and bringin' it up here.
Democrats; the makers not the takers!
Democrats the makers; Republicans the takers!
Democrats, not the party of Putin!
You >have< the concept!
Non-orange.
Hahaha
Yes! The Ukrainian situation is handing us a golden opportunity that we should take full advantage of..
Sadly it could not be more hard hitting. If people cannot 'get' this message, it's really bad.
For forty years and more now the Democratic Party has run scared. Reagan succeeded in painting democrats as the party of big government and big taxes, and the Dems have quivered in fear and pleaded, “oh no, we’re the party of just slightly larger government and slightly larger taxes than the other guys, we’re really for the people, please believe us.” It hasn’t worked for forty years and it’s not working now. The Dems message should be Bernie’s message. No matter what else the corporate Dems might say about the progressive message, even they have to admit it has been consistently and effectively pro worker and inclusive. Biden should start by using the bully pulpit every day to call for a windfall profits tax on the greed of big oil and its investors.
Exactly. If Biden and the DNC supported the Progressives, they would get some fire and interest. But they are so scared of alienating some Republican Lights and the Rich Democrats that they don't do it. In my mind, that is the Best and Only way to save the Party. Make it stand for what they say it stands for, The People. Support the Progressive agenda. Move Forward as a Party and Government. Otherwise you are going to just continue to have many uninterested People and the Republicans will be in charge again soon. So what have you to lose? The Democrats you lose will be replaced by Democrats you get.
As someone pointed out above, rich people support both the Reptilians and the Democrats, making it difficult for Democrats to call out the plutocracy. To run a campaign like Bernie’s, you have to refuse to take $$ from corporations and oligarchs.
I remember how the Democratic National Committee sandbagged Bernie in the primary elections leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Why did they do it? Perhaps because their big $$ donors on Wall Street objected to the possibility of Bernie as the Democratic candidate for president. As long as we have money in bed with politics, we’ll never have a Great Society.
That's why I say Democrats support all the people...all of the time.
I like Archangel's "new deal for a new day." Unfortunately, Biden is not the orator Roosevelt was. And, I wonder how many millenials care about or understand what Roosevelt accomplished in pulling our country out of its depths of despair. Dems need to SHOW, not talk, about the 'have and have nots' in this country. Watching a war unfold daily before our eyes with not only Zelenskyy but THE PEOPLE AND THEIR STORIES have impacted the world. Let the people here speak for Biden and the Dems' policies. It's called smart marketing from the heart, not just the head. And, we all must work to get out the vote.: VoteFwd.org.
Democrats; we don't think bombing civilians is 'Genius'
👏👏👏
Excellent!
Hats or health care?
Oooh, now that’s a good one.
Brilliant!
Republican Lies cost American Lives
We Democrats need a hat. The Republicans have MAGA. What do we have? We need a slogan that will fit on a hat. Simple. Easy. Works for progressives, liberals and moderates. Suggestions, please?
Make America a more Just & Moral Union.
Democrats not Putin!
Not helpful Frank Lee
MALA has already been taken -- by the Republicans for Trump's 2024 re-election campaign!
They did actually make America 'lose' on Jan 6th, 2021. Tragic. People died! Many were injured! It hurt all!
Oh! ol' Tweety's "winner/loser" hack! Nice! Keep showin' us all those Republican moves - please!
I think they should just go with the straight honesty route. Stick with simple messages and slogans that really speak to how their supporters feel. Something like... "Dems 2022: Yes, We Can! But, We Won't!" Either that or, "Democrats: Hey, At Least We Don't Cage Children!"
The only argument I have with your appropriate sloganeering is it might be "Dems 2022: No we can't! But we'll make it look like we do!"
"We've worked; Republicans obstruct" would be better, AND 100% true.
Not really: Manchinema.
Point taken.
In my opinion, the American people are tired of words, the same rhetoric they’ve heard over and over again. The country has become disillusioned, cynical and apathetic at this point. I fear that anything the democratic party and candidates say will fall on deaf ears.
My suggestion is really simple. Tell a story, create a visual that addresses each issue. Film a single mother and family struggling to pay bills on minimum wage. Follow it up with the democrat’s bill created to help them. End each video with congressional republicans voting against it. Do this on every single piece of legislation including Build Back Better, voting rights, women’s rights, etc. Always end each one with republicans voting no.
We live in a visual society, the one man who knows it better than most is Ukraine’s President Zelensky. During his address to Congress today he aired a heart wrenching video of the people of Ukraine, showing his beautiful cities and the carnage from Putin’s attacks. He knows that this video will get the attention of the people and we need to take a lesson from him
Susan, I love your ideas. I have forwarded them to my state representatives, including Nancy Pelosi. Simple and clear.
If the Republican 'leadership' likes Putin they should ask him when he will rebuild Ukraine? Do they care? Look what happened with Katrina, the hurricane in New Orleans. Our Republican president then was George W. Bush who had a horse show buddy in charge of FEMA who did a horrible job. The storm was forecast days before it happened. Idle busses could have ferried people out. Nursing homes with people in wheelchairs water up to their necks. 'Heck of a job, Brownie' said Bush to his FEMA Director.