Debbie Mucarsel-Powell on losing in Miami-Dade

[brooklynite]

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
@DebbieforFL

Many have commented on Democratic losses in South Florida and with Latinos across the country.

As the Congresswoman from #FL26 who lost her seat, and the first South American immigrant ever elected to Congress...

Let me set the record straight. (1/8)

My district voted for Clinton +16% and Trump +6% — that's a DRAMATIC 22 pt swing at the top of the ticket not easily explained by this false narrative of progressives versus moderates.

I won by 2% in 2018 and lost by 3% in 2020. (2/8)

Despite this swing, I was one of just a few Democrats nationally to outperform Biden. Here's why:
1. Focused on the economy
2. Knocked on 23k doors & had convos w 133k ppl via phone & text
3. Invested big in radio, mail, digital & TV
4. And did it all in English AND Spanish (3/8)

I was a leader in advocating for Venezuelan freedom — and as an immigrant, my story is the Miami story.

But it wasn't enough. Because South FL is extremely diverse. We are unique. And when others try to treat Latinos as a monolithic group, they miss the nuances. (4/8)

Yes, the fear of socialism is real and engrained for those of us who fled dangerous places in search of the American dream. My own father was murdered by a criminal with a gun in Ecuador.

But it's not why I lost and it's not the only reason South Florida went red. (5/8)

There were many factors: a targeted disinformation campaign to Latinos; an electorate desperate to re-open, wracked with fear over the economic consequences; a national party that thinks racial identity is how we vote.

It's not just about socialism. (6/8)

Florida & National Dems: Our brightest days are ahead. To get there, we must step back and deeply analyze how we're talking to Latinos and every voter. As the first South American immigrant elected to Congress, I stand with you as we do it. (7/8)

And to South Florida and the Keys: it has been the honor of my life to serve you. I love this community, from Key West, to the Upper Keys, to South Miami. I'll keep fighting to make sure no one messes with my people.

Please stay safe, wear a mask & enjoy the holidays. (8/8)

[Dawson Leery]

1. Speaking of going door to door.

Democrats must go door to door in Georgia, if not, then there is no purpose for any campaign.
Put on a mask, gloves, and keep a few feet away when the door opens.

[orwell]

2. #6/8 seems like the real tipping point...

...that and the complete DeJoy fuck up with the mail in South Florida.

It can't be overlooked that Drumpf campaigned for 4 years straight on the public's dime. All he did was run for his next term. .used every advantage the office afforded him including signing his name on stimulus checks. And he still lost.

He was especially active in Florida, his home state. He won the battle but lost the war. In the end his mishandling of CV doomed him. Not doing his job, cost him his job.

[Ferrets are Cool]

3. "the fear of socialism"

How fucking difficult is it to understand that the American version of "socialism" and the version they fled are completely different things? FUCK, FUCK, FUCK.

Sometimes it seems that people WANT to remain stupid.

[4Q2u2]

4. How much was Bigotry

How do Cubans view a Venezuelan?
Trump supporters have that bias built in so overcoming that twice is quite hard.

[Bleacher Creature]

5. That was pretty insightful. I hope she runs again.

The party really needs to spend the time and money between elections to target the specific Latino groups, not just in Florida, as opposed to treating them all like a monolith.

[apnu]

6. Let's talk to Latinos like people.

Forget monolith this, racial that. Let's talk to voters AS PEOPLE. People who are worried about their personal economics. People who are worried about justice. People who are worried about corruption and crime. People who are worried about health and health care.

Stick to issues people are concerned about, and when the Republicans go racist, call it out for what it is. But most importantly treat people as equals. Equals who's first language isn't English, and that's OK. We should welcome all, listen to them, then respond with how Democratic policies will help solve their problems.

This is what FDR did to the poor and jobless class in the 1930s, he spoke to the people directly and knew their concerns and could say what he was going to do to help them and their specific concerns.

[stopdiggin]

7. stupid, ignorant and selfish

doesn't get a pass here -- whether you're bible thumping farmer in rural Iowa, or person with brown skin in So.Florida. And it has not a damned thing to with "monolithic" demographics or voting blocks -- or the Democratic party's "failure" to reach out to variation in communities. The plain truth is -- these people are voting Republican -- because their values (or lack thereof) place them in the Republican camp! Children separated from parents, gutted environmental regulation, treating the American military like a pull toy, extortion scams on vulnerable foreign allies? Nope -- not a particular concern.

Kudos to Mucarsel-Powell for having an articulate view of the things necessary for this country (and it's people) to move forward. It's too bad less of her constituents share those views now than they did when Trump took office. Because that's the real story here.
----- -- -- -----

[farmbo]

8. Can anyone from her district shed some light on the Disinformation campaign?

"There were many factors: a targeted disinformation campaign to Latinos..."

What media... TV, Facebook, Radio, fliers on windshields, all of the above?
What was the big lie? (In 2016 it was that the Pope had endorsed Trump)
Did they use Deep Fake technology or just random spokespersons saturating the fake messaging?

(I ask because those who do not learn from History are bound to repeat it.)

[JI7]

10. This is one

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.timesofisrael.com/hispanic-voters-in-florida-targeted-with-anti-semitic-conspiracy-theories/amp/

[JI7]

9. A ground Campaign is needed in many hispanic communities

more than some others but Safety issues were a concern for Biden while Trump didn't care.