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Policy papers are a delusion, Democrats. This is a Trump referendum and you're blowing it.
Rick WilsonFor many Democrats, the past 25 years of politics were defined by two beautiful, generational candidacies run by two beautiful, generational candidates. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were gifted political figures, charismatic, empathic and raised to play the cool game of television politics.
They were also two of the only bright spots in that time frame. From 1994 on, the Republican Party conducted a slow, grinding march through congressional, local and statewide offices. Sure, the GOP wasn’t immune to setbacks, but the trend line for the Democrats was clear: powerful majorities in urban and coastal cities; beat-downs elsewhere. Yes, Donald Trump is flipping seats and states blue, but you’re not out of the woods. With Clinton (Bill, only) and Obama, Democrats could forget for a moment about Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, Mike Dukakis and others who lacked the skills to win.
So, I’m going to give my Democratic friends some very tough love. This election, like every election, has a not-so-secret rulebook, and as of today you’re ignoring it.
Forget the plans, get a good slogan
The election, like all presidential reelection campaigns, is a referendum on Trump. Full stop. Democrats who believe that their massive policy papers and plans to reshape government will sway the electorate are living in a fool’s paradise. I’m not judging your policies. I literally don’t care one whit. I’m just telling you that they don’t matter, and never do. Trump’s policy fit on a trucker hat. Obama’s fit on a poster or in a three-word call of “Yes We Can.” Policy is a delusion.
They were also two of the only bright spots in that time frame. From 1994 on, the Republican Party conducted a slow, grinding march through congressional, local and statewide offices. Sure, the GOP wasn’t immune to setbacks, but the trend line for the Democrats was clear: powerful majorities in urban and coastal cities; beat-downs elsewhere. Yes, Donald Trump is flipping seats and states blue, but you’re not out of the woods. With Clinton (Bill, only) and Obama, Democrats could forget for a moment about Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Al Gore, Mike Dukakis and others who lacked the skills to win.
So, I’m going to give my Democratic friends some very tough love. This election, like every election, has a not-so-secret rulebook, and as of today you’re ignoring it.
Forget the plans, get a good slogan
The election, like all presidential reelection campaigns, is a referendum on Trump. Full stop. Democrats who believe that their massive policy papers and plans to reshape government will sway the electorate are living in a fool’s paradise. I’m not judging your policies. I literally don’t care one whit. I’m just telling you that they don’t matter, and never do. Trump’s policy fit on a trucker hat. Obama’s fit on a poster or in a three-word call of “Yes We Can.” Policy is a delusion.
Former Governor Tom Vilsack (Iowa) advocated the "10 word message" for Democrats; they're never figure out how to do it.
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