Democrats only have themselves to blame for upcoming losses

[applegrove]

Democrats only have themselves to blame for upcoming losses

By Steven Pearlstein at the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2014/10/31/democrats-only-have-themselves-to-blame-for-upcoming-losses/

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Now, on the eve of the election, Democratic candidates find themselves caught in a vicious cycle in which their refusal to embrace and defend their party’s brand is discouraging the faithful and turning away the undecided, threatening their election prospects still further. What Benjamin Franklin said of revolutions also applies to political campaigns: Those who don’t hang together will surely hang separately.

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At a time when outside money, media consolidation and political polarization are all conspiring to nationalize local races, party brands are more important than ever. As Hilton and General Motors and even Procter & Gamble have discovered — and Apple has always known — having a strong “master brand” makes it easier and cheaper to succeed with individual products; a weak one drags down the entire portfolio of products. Similarly, in politics, a candidate who embraces and contributes to a strong national party brand already has the foundation for a successful campaign, able to focus limited resources on highlighting her individual qualities and achievements or the weaknesses of her opponent.

As with many businesses, the Democrats’ branding problem starts with a misunderstanding and misuse of public opinion polls.

“To say that there is an over-reliance on research is a gross understatement,” laments Srere at Siegel + Gale. “It’s asking people to tell you things they can’t possibly tell you. As Henry Ford put it, if he had asked people what they wanted, they would have told him they wanted a faster horse.”



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[JI7]

1. people win sometimes lose sometimes, i would blame Martha Coakley if she loses

because she did do things to lose what should easily be hers.

but i wont blame wendy davis and many others who are runnign in states that have elected people like Ted Cruz.

[Cha]

6. Actually, Michelle Obama campaigned with Wendy and I think she said that she Voted

for Obama. I know Michelle Nunn said that.

No, I don't blame Alison Grimes(Texas seems to be more progressive than Kentucky).. Please BEAT mitch!

[JI7]

12. i know, i mean if we don't win in a place like Texas or Kentucky it's not so simple as saying

if only "_______ did_____________" .

these are states that have elected people like ted cruz . demographics in the states are different.

unlike martha coakley who does things like refuse to campaign, said she wont attend a debate and then changed her mind. and end up losing in a solid blue state just by refusing to do what any candidate would do.

[PSPS]

2. I see the media has already proclaimed the proper winners. It's like there's no need to vote.

These elections look more and more like those of the old USSR.

[hrmjustin]

3. If Grimm beats Recchia in the NY11th it is bwcause we put up an idiot for the job.

Recchia was the worst choice possible.

I was really looking foward to seeing Grimm go.

[applegrove]

4. I saw a bit on him. I was very surprised the Democratic Party

would allow someone like that to be nominated.

[hrmjustin]

7. Welcome to the NY Democratic Party.

[RadicalGeek]

5. "Refusal To Embrace Their Party's Brand"

As in running AWAY from their base.

The DLC can't see how well progressive grass-roots based campaigns work (Warren, etc).

In a post Citizens United landscape, might be the only campaign that will work.

[Aerows]

9. Too many Dem politicians want it both ways

They want to be embraced by their constituents for a message that they themselves don't vote for once they get to Washington because it isn't as lucrative as kissing the butts of lobbyists, big money donors and Wall Street.

You can't have it both ways.

[RiverLover]

19. x2!!

[Aerows]

8. Voters

vote. When they agree with the platform the person they are voting for supports. And proves it when they get to DC.

Voters don't vote for you when you vote counter to the platform that sent you to DC in the first place.

It isn't rocket science, and it isn't the fault of voters if politicians fail to get elected - it is the fault of said politicians.

[AverageJoe90]

10. The Democratic Party may not be perfect.....but it's not all their fault.

Because, let's remember, the GOP has still been pulling a LOT of dirty tricks; they're even now doing this with Mrs. Lundergan-Grimes in Kentucky.

[Aerows]

11. If you can't make a credible case

against the dirty tricks squad, as a politician, you are in the wrong line of work.

[JI7]

13. credible case to who ? look at how ignorant people are when it comes to ebola

and terrorism .

[herding cats]

14. These are midterm races.

These are local choices, not national ones, no matter what the media is trying to pretend. Most of these races which are close are in conservative areas where Democrats don't all think like we -- the average national voting Democrat -- think. I realize this is a difficult situation to grasp, but what we're up against is a bunch of low information voters who vacillate with the pervasive emotion du jour. Yes, even a certain amount of the possible Democratic voters in these states fall into this category. Too often their apathy is generated by the media telling them they are never going to get anything better, so why bother voting anyway? I've worked these races, I've spoken to these people personally. I'm not imagining this scenario. This is really how fragile the psyche is of those who dare to vote against the grain in some of these regions. It's a tightrope to try and reach out to all the people there you want to help, and yet not blunder into any preconceived landmines due to notions some of the voters hold.

All politics are local, and midterms are just one of many examples of such. I just wish more people understood what it's like to work toward changing the mindset in traditionally conservative regions. I hope I'm not speaking from a jaded position, but for me it was like dealing with Stockholm syndrome victims at times.

Articles such as this one, they don't even begin to scrape the surface on what the real issues are in these races. The author understands business and economic issues well, but he doesn't have a clue about the voters motivations in the races we're fighting to persuade in these pivotal races.

No disrespect to the poster intended. I greatly appreciate your contributions here!

[applegrove]

15. No offence taken.

[maced666]

16. Lost, what?!

Upcoming losses - we haven't voted yet.

[Nobel_Twaddle_III]

17. Polsters never seam to account for us who vote even if we are disgruntled.

[Youdontwantthetruth]

18. Democrats who dont stand up and defend democratic party accomplishments and run from the POTUS

deserve to LOSE.

[Doctor_J]

20. The party doesn't even have a brand any more

They govern like republicans, then at election time have nothing to run on.

[Vinca]

21. As President Romney might suggest, let's wait for Tuesday's poll to come in.