General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTomorrow, I'm going to call the heads of the DNC to give my opinions about the current situation.
(I have their personal numbers)
Will let you know what happens.
hlthe2b
(102,283 posts)brooklynite
(94,585 posts)...in coordination with the Party election committees for all of its candidates to use, that the SC decisions (guns and abortion) were an irresponsible and unrepresentative decision and that, if elected, Democratic officials will take action to restore those rights. If the party doesn't respond in a coordinated and proactive manner, I and other big dollar supporters will likely pull our financial support.
hlthe2b
(102,283 posts)MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)It might be time for the 2022 version of the "Contract with America" to unite the Ds as far as possible. That would go a LONG way to getting the message nuanced.
On inflation, the fact is that we on the precipice of a world war. Russia's absolute interference in US affairs and its wholly unbelievable invasion of Ukraine, in part, is the reason for inflation. People should not forget that. I don't mind paying $6 per gallon of gas for this righteous cause that will bring stability to the world if Russia is thwarted in Ukraine and contained generally. People need to be reminded of this. It's not President Biden or the Ds fault.
Oh, and by the way, the January 6 Committee is doing a fantastic job. But it's not enough that the Rs wash their hands of Trump. They actively caused this to happen in concert with that monster.
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)Newt Gingrich's idea from the 90's? Are we that desperate?
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)Call it "Our Promise to You" or whatever...but it's truly time for Ds (whether we are pigeonholed as progressives, moderates, etc) to be united.
Voters like that if they agree with the message. A fragmented D party is not going to get us anywhere except in a worse position than we are in now.
Keep in mind that the Rs can use the economy and gas prices against us. Until Friday, the best thing we had going is J6, but that would likely not be enough to hold on to the House. After Friday, and if we are united, I think that could REALLY help us politically.
It's a gimmick, I know, but most folks like basic messages. Remember James Carville: KISS.
questionseverything
(9,656 posts)MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)This is so basic, that I cannot understand why the police should not be held accountable for failing to Mirandize a suspect.
That being said, I wouldn't raise this as a DNC issue, IMHO. Most people wouldn't care, and the RWingers view Miranda as a way for those "shifty criminals" to get a free pass to commit crimes if it isn't administered. They would just smear Ds to show "we are soft on crime."
Don't get me wrong: it is a HUGE issue. But not one that I would run with politically as there are so many other stronger ones that will resonate with voters.
msongs
(67,413 posts)empedocles
(15,751 posts)['cons have been better at this]
dpibel
(2,832 posts)This was you, wasn't it?
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216741321
I went out to dinner last night...[emphasis added]
the restaurants and bars were full, especially with young people, in heavily Democratic New York. People were having a jolly time, and were not dwelling on the Texas shooting, or the Supreme Court or January 6.
I bring this up, because as we move into the election cycle, its important to be aware that the average voter isn't as fixated on these issues (or politics in general) as people here are, and won't automatically respond to campaign messages on them. I continue to believe that we will win or lose the election on kitchen table issues: jobs, inflation, schools, health care, etc.
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)There weren't protests in the streets in anticipation of the SC rulings.
One way I find to win elections is you change your strategy as circumstances dictate. Do you disagree?
dpibel
(2,832 posts)You would have me believe that the coverage of, and strong reaction to, the leaked Dobbs opinion was entirely of no moment. That's exactly what you were saying in your "went to dinner" post.
But demonstrations in the street, in your expert analysis, entirely changes the calculus.
That's actually not even a good try.
You said before that the restaurant-goers of America are not engaged. That's what you said. You said they will not be engaged until the eve of the election.
You are now changing your tune, and not at all in a convincing way.
Sure. I believe that changing strategy to account for changed circumstances is a good thing.
What I object to is pontification that changes without any real underlying change in the facts.
When you went to dinner, it was fait accompli that Roe was dead.
You said it didn't matter.
Now you say it does.
"Protests in the streets" really doesn't cut it as principled analysis.
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)Opine as you care too. I don't care what you think of me or what you tell others to think of me. I'll be sharing my opinions as I see the need to.
dpibel
(2,832 posts)Look at your "I went to dinner post."
Tell me how it is not getting your digs in at people who disagree with you.
But different rules for lesser mortals, eh?
In point of fact, I agree with you at this instant. Dobbs should be bruited loudly and broadly. It should be central to the upcoming campaign.
I just have a problem with you pontificating--sneering at people who were saying Dobbs was an issue--then turning on a dime without any acknowledgment that you've done a 180.
It's just unbecoming for such an important an influential voice.
Note on editing: I added the last three paragraphs of this while Brooklynite was composing his response to the original post. Just want anyone unfortunate enough to be reading this to be clear on the order of things. (Note for the defensive: This is intended as a defense of B-nite, if anyone thinks he should have responded to what I added whilst he was responding. Damn are the Internets tough.)
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)What I didn't do was question the basis on which people came to those opinions.
dpibel
(2,832 posts)You precisely said that your observations in a restaurant trumped anyone else's opinion on the effect of J6, the Supremes. That was what your post was about.
"You small people think that this stuff is important. I went to a restaurant, and nobody talked about J6 and the Supremes. QED, kitchen table."
The sole, precise thing you said was that, however people came to their opinions, your opinion was superior.
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)...everyone is going to think their opinion is the correct one, pending a discussion.
If you're going to read attitude into my posts that bothers you, I'll suggest you stop reading them.
dpibel
(2,832 posts)Some people say, "This is my opinion."
Some people say, "This is a fact, because...ummm...reasons."
How could I possibly stop reading your posts? They provide so much entertainment.
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)...without adequate reasons, right?
dpibel
(2,832 posts)but it's hard to keep up.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)A good political campaign, whether local, state, or nationally, focuses on those issues that appeal to voters.
Dobbs is awful, but if the Ds can make it into an issue that resonates (and it clearly does), that is where we should be.
To reiterate, I personally would STRONGLY urge you, in your DNC communications, to make sure all the issues that they want to run with nationally or locally are unified. While some think the "Contract with America" was a joke in 1994, it showed that the Rs were united. That is the best play for us: Dobbs is a national issue.
As I mentioned earlier, there also needs to be a cogent reason for inflation as that is the main thing the Rs can bury us on. But, for the reasons I mentioned earlier, I think it can be addressed in the context of the other issues. But, IMHO, it needs to be addressed.
Can't wait to hear back.
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)I'm not sure you can come up with specifics that would apply to House, Senate, Governors, Attorney's General, etc. What I think we need is a broader frame of protecting public rights that each Committee can plug promises into.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)I strongly believe that the message has to be united. Fair enough that the issues that might resonate with State AGs could be different than those that would resonate with the House or Senate races. I will defer to your good offices, as you have the connections to get the message through.
But just scrolling through these posts, there are several messages that Ds, at all levels, can push that appeal to voters at all level levels. Being UNITED is critical.
Good luck! I wish you the very best in your call. As you can see from just this thread, there are numerous issues to run with it all levels for the Ds.
Pun greatly intended, but give the DNC a "KISS" from all of us!
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)We can't have anything related to Newt Gingrich associated with our platform. Hence my reaction.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)UNITED.
A unifying theme (WHATEVER it is) is the best way to keep the messaging simple and effective.
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)can work but they have to be broad and the hard part will be convincing people that they will actually pass. It would help if we could get some things done prior to November. I know we just passed gun safety but I'm not sure that will be enough.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,619 posts)Codifying Roe
Expanding the court
Killing the filibuster
Passing voting rights
Passing BBB in its original form, with $500B for climate change
Banning assault weapons
Eliot Rosewater
(31,112 posts)you will allow the republican to win? Help me understand how anyone can still be thinking like this...
This reminds me a lot of what Jill Stein voters said in 2016, and we are now paying the price for those folks...this SHIT makes me REAL angry, REAL angry.
Fiendish Thingy
(15,619 posts)lees1975
(3,859 posts)and while I understand the push to have that happen at the DNC, it's really the President who needs to take the lead on this.
There's now polling data out there, initially from CBS, which is somewhat remarkable in and of itself, but it's coming from elsewhere as well, that the court's decision is going to have a major impact on the midterm elections. Don't you think there's a way to put this all in the same package, the idea that Democrats are for rights and will work to restore them, pull in the social criticism of being woke, CRT and racial reconciliation and also that this party still has the best ideas on dealing with inflation?
Honestly, up until the J-6 hearings started, I can't remember a time when the Democratic party has seemed to be so defeatist, while the other side's negative numbers are piled up high as well.
This is a turnout election and our people need to turn out. This week's energy has to be focused and sustained.
Good luck.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)Can wait to hear back, so will bookmark this.
Good luck. I hope the outrage of Dobbs, guns, and J6 surely will be on your list of topics.
Looking forward.
USALiberal
(10,877 posts)Elessar Zappa
(13,998 posts)against Republicans. This is a very important election.
usonian
(9,810 posts)Friday was one of those "Predictable Surprises" that was known for a very long time.
https://hbr.org/2003/04/predictable-surprises-the-disasters-you-should-have-seen-coming
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predictable_surprise
Fifty years in the making.
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2021/8/6/2044226/-America-2021-The-Good-the-Bad-the-Ugly
Democracy in Crisis: Weve Been Headed Here for Decades. Part 1of 8
And a game-changer.
It showed that the court, and the "party of nothing" are all about cancelling the rights granted by the Constitution, and hence the Constitution itself.
It's exactly the Nazi Germany playbook
Normalize hate and violence.
Stochastic terrorism.
Bring down elected government.
---------------
These were my suggestions from the distant past (Thursday)
Use them if they help the cause. But in any event,
I defer to the esteemed brooklynite. THANKS.
Every Accusation is a Confession
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216777247
The "Election Integrity" grift is pure felony theft.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216813088
These, and the fake elector plan might peel some people loose from the "Party of Nothing"
Some Republicans felt duped by Team Trumps fake electors plot
And they may pay a price for their complicity.
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republicans-felt-duped-team-trumps-fake-electors-plot-rcna34780
We were kind of useful idiots or rubes at that point, said Robert Sinners, a former Trump campaign staffer, adding he now feels he was misled about the effort. Im angry because I think, in a sense, no one really cared if people were potentially putting themselves in jeopardy.
The Grand Illuminist
(1,332 posts)Unless you call upon candidates that will campaign on having a Convention of the States.
empedocles
(15,751 posts)'
''BIDEN NEEDS TO SCORE IN THE CULTURE WARS
I continue to be puzzled by President Bidens poor approval ratings. He is an affable man, clearly decent, and many of his policies and proposed policies are popular. So what explains his astonishingly low approval ratings, which are adding to the sense of doom felt by Democrats as they approach the midterm elections?
Of course inflation is the dominant explanation. But Bidens fall preceded it. One answer might be found by unpacking the numbers. The most significant factor in Bidens decline is a falloff in approval by Democrats and independents. Since the start of his presidency, Biden has gone from a 98 percent approval rating to 85 percent among Democrats, according to Gallups numbers. As of early this year, he has dropped significantly among groups often thought of as very left-wing most notably among the youngest voters (Gen Z and millennials). He also lost a lot of ground with African Americans, Hispanics and the poorest Americans. By contrast, at this point in his presidency, Donald Trump had dropped a mere two points in his approval rating among Republicans, from 89 percent to 87 percent.
To read the full article, please click here.''
https://fareedzakaria.com/columns/2022/6/23/biden-needs-to-score-in-the-culture-wars
empedocles
(15,751 posts)brooklynite
(94,585 posts)He played a major roll in shifting support of marriage equality by getting in front of President Obama. He could be doing more for messaging a number off policy areas. As I've said before, WH Comms seems unwilling to make the best use of him.
empedocles
(15,751 posts)usual Democratic punches.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)It's about Rs, and how they brought us Dobbs, J6, and the inflation issues (arising out of the R's consorting with the Russians). IMHO, that should be the UNIFIED focus of the DNC.
empedocles
(15,751 posts)However, it seems, the next 3 November elections - will have a lot to do with President Biden.
MerryHolidays
(7,715 posts)I have very little to criticize him on. He is a fine leader, and I actually sleep at night because he is there.
However, Dobbs, J6, guns, etc have NOTHING to do with President Biden. They have everything to do with the Rs. Make them pay the price. Explain inflation in the context of a world war (e.g., Joe Biden is NOT Neville Chamberlain who is willing to appease the Nazis/Russians...that's why we are doing this).
But the blame must be squarely focused on the Rs.
msfiddlestix
(7,282 posts)lees1975
(3,859 posts)with the gun legislation, January 6th hearings and now overturning Roe, in any other era, they have everything necessary, even with inflation, to turn this around. It is a rare opportunity. The DNC needs to be sharply on top of it, taking full advantage of it. Focused, unified, not distracted, relentless and keeping this in front of the voters.
I'm a contributor too, and I intend to increase my giving, though it is not an amount that anyone would actually notice. I'm a blogger, for whatever that's worth and my hit count and comment count is increasing, so I know that's working. I do remote voter registration calls every weekend. So from those of us out here, thank you. THANK YOU.
usonian
(9,810 posts)Opinion
Biden needs to score in the culture wars
Image without a caption
By Fareed Zakaria
Columnist |
June 23, 2022 at 7:08 p.m. EDT
I continue to be puzzled by President Bidens poor approval ratings. He is an affable man, clearly decent, and many of his policies and proposed policies are popular. So what explains his astonishingly low approval ratings, which are adding to the sense of doom felt by Democrats as they approach the midterm elections?
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Of course inflation is the dominant explanation. But Bidens fall preceded it. One answer might be found by unpacking the numbers. The most significant factor in Bidens decline is a falloff in approval by Democrats and independents. Since the start of his presidency, Biden has gone from a 98 percent approval rating to 85 percent among Democrats, according to Gallups numbers. As of early this year, he has dropped significantly among groups often thought of as very left-wing most notably among the youngest voters (Gen Z and millennials). He also lost a lot of ground with African Americans, Hispanics and the poorest Americans. By contrast, at this point in his presidency, Donald Trump had dropped a mere two points in his approval rating among Republicans, from 89 percent to 87 percent.
Biden does not seem in charge of the Democratic Party in the way that Trump and even George W. Bush dominated their own parties. This is a modern version of an old story. I am not a member of any organized party I am a Democrat, quipped humorist Will Rogers in the 1930s. The left wing of the party has been perennially dissatisfied by its own incumbent and often rebelled against him. It broke with Lyndon B. Johnson on the Vietnam War and doomed his chances for reelection, as well as Vice President Hubert Humphreys shot at the presidency. It revolted against Jimmy Carter, with Edward M. Kennedy running for the nomination against a sitting president. It attacked Bill Clinton for his strategy of accommodation toward conservatives and triangulation.
During Barack Obamas presidency, there was less of an open rebellion. Even so, the consensus view of that presidency among liberal Democrats these days is that Obama was too much of a cautious centrist. You have to go back to Franklin D. Roosevelt to find a time when a Democratic president truly dominated his party and even then, there was liberal discontent with FDR.
The second problem that Biden faces is that whatever he might say about his economic policies, which do in fact help the poor and working class, people dont tend to vote on detailed policy analyses. To me, one of the most striking things about the rise of populism in our times is that it is driven by cultural issues. It is strange at some level, but in uncertain times even in economically uncertain times instead of moving left on economics, people tend to move right on culture. They feel unmoored and worry that they are losing the world in which they grew up.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair has often explained that if you cannot give people some sense of security on these issues, then they will simply not listen to the left on economics even when they might well agree with the policies being proposed. But the left has to first establish that it is not culturally revolutionary. Thats why Clinton in 1996 declared in his State of the Union address that public schools in America should be allowed to require uniforms. Now, the federal government has little authority over public education, which is mostly handled by states. And this might seem a trivial topic. But Clinton was signaling to the country Im not a radical hippie from the 1960s; Im even in favor of school uniforms. He won reelection that year by 220 electoral votes and an 8.5 percentage point popular-vote margin, a bigger victory than any candidate has received since 1984.
If you watch how Republicans are running, you can see where they think their opponents are weak. Yes, they rail about inflation, but beyond that they offer a litany of attacks on woke schools and companies, cancel culture, radical changes in education and so on. As James Carville has explained, when members of the Democratic left talk about social issues, they leave much of the country alienated by their very language see Latinx or communities of color. A 2021 poll found that just 4 percent of Hispanic Americans prefer the term Latinx. If the left wants to be the party of the working class and minorities, surely it should pay attention to what those people are saying?
Cultural and social issues are fraught with challenges. Unlike economics, where you can always split the difference, its hard to do that on abortion, gay rights, etc. So symbolism, language and messaging become very important. And in all of this, the Democrats often seem to cater to their most extreme supporters and lose the average person on the street.
Bidens supporters will say he has never endorsed any radical social or cultural policies. Perhaps thats true, but he also hasnt confronted people in his party about them, either, the way Clinton and Blair did. Nor has he tried to consciously signal where he stands on some of these issues. Perhaps he needs to make a speech endorsing school uniforms.
Opinion by Fareed Zakaria
usonian
(9,810 posts)IMO, when you boil things down:
The party has to decide what
key issues that will unite Democrats and cause them to drop objections when "all six items are not addressed". I was pissed as hell that the John Lewis Voting Rights Act wasn't passed, but unless we win on one or two unifying issues that GOTV in droves, that stands no chance ever.
Cultural, yes, cultural issues Three, such as
1. hypocrisy, I give a litany of examples of "do as I say, not as I do " ,
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216777247
Every Accusation is a Confession.
2. the big "Election Integrity" grift, because it's painfully obvious and fresh, and
3. the use of people as cannon fodder in the fake elector and Jan 6 schemes. He sent people to the slammer, more to come. Pure betrayal.
These issues align with milder conversion therapies for addicts and cultists. Work at the edge.
Plain old Tent Revival Democratic Style. So Joe is a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. People are unimpressed. So, can he get a team together with a point person on each key issue, with lots of energy and presence? It would demonstrate unity.
That Blues Brothers (1 and 2) music would do it for me!
And that's it for now.
HTH, that's all.
usonian
(9,810 posts)Since Friday, I've made 5 long and informative posts.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216837332
Digital Security and Privacy Tips for Those Involved in Abortion Access
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216838504
EFF's Statement on Dobb's Abortion Ruling
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216848250
Post Removed
It's a gotcha. The thread has much of the above, plus a picture of POST REMOVAL
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216851887
Trusted sources for abortion information.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=16854145
My take on the Zakaria article etc.
Plus reposts of my GOTV page. (and other fun stuff, of course)
PLEASE VISIT. I keep reposting it for visibility,
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216821536
Donate. Volunteer. Mail postcards. Phone bank.
Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)should be the goal. Not two, and of course - keep the House Democratic.
To do this we need to get Democratic Senators in elections that may not usually be winnable for the blue wing. But the red wing is now on the run. They have an utterly unpopular agenda and finally the average voter is beginning to pay attention.
Simple slogan- vote every Republican out of office, anywhere and everywhere. Out out out.
Thank you!!!!
Sympthsical
(9,074 posts):cringe:
Just this whole business from beginning to end. Reading through felt like watching Scott's Tots.
(It's 2022. Where's the cringe smiley?!
brooklynite
(94,585 posts)Sympthsical
(9,074 posts)Where I walk into the room and realize there are other people within.
Unrelated, I've had this story for a television show percolating in my head. My partner is a pharmacist. But what if I used that to sell medications on the street. And there'd be a multi-season arc about being a street pharmacist. People would know me as Mr. CVS, and I'd feel pretty awesome about it. Maybe introduce myself that way.
Easily four seasons.