Should 527s Run Ads to Educate the Electorate on Progressive Politics

[NAO]

The Christian Right is still running anti-abortion ads; and the UCC tried to run that acceptance ad.

Would ads about progressive issues help educate the electorate and get them to 'frame' the issues in progressive terms (per Lakoff)? How else do we effect a mass shift of public opinion?

Should 527s also run ads critical of Bush policies (for example, to educate people on the so called Social Security reform) or critical of Bush appointees (for example, to raise awareness of AG appointee Gonzalez' role in approving torture)?

Could such ads help thwart the extreme agenda of the Bush administration and limit the damage he will do in the next four years, while simultaneously building a progressive thinking base?

[Vincardog]

1. Yes n/t

[DemOperative]

2. HELL YES!!

The republicans 527s ( or their previous incarnations) have done this for years.

Now that the dmes have money and power, republicans are acting like it's unfair and ineffective.

Which leads me to conclude we're on the right track.

[Maat]

3. Yes....maybe we could get Lakoff to work with MoveOn PAC ...

if we couldn't get the Democratic Party to do it.

[DaveinMD]

15. some DU'ers

are already working on it. We'll post in January when the website will be up.

[intheflow]

4. Yes.

But who will carry them? Cable channels? Probably not.

[Bullwinkle925]

5. HELL ,HELL YES!!!!!!!

[OhioBlue]

6. Yes!!!

I think it needs to be more stealth tho - If the issue were to bring light to certain * policies or appointments then MoveOn would work, but to frame the conversation, we should use 527's that didn't get all the press as MoveOn.

If people listened to Michael Moore describe media consolidation before the election, they might listen, now - the people leaning right will just dismiss anything he has to say.

[NAO]

7. Would they get funded? Would YOU fund them?

Everyone nowadays is saying they are "tapped out". Would people be motivated to donate to a 527 in an off year?

Would it help them feel like they are being active and help them get out of the defeatist funk?

[OhioBlue]

8. I think so

I am dying to start the "fight" We need some leadership, organization, a movement to fight the propaganda. I don't have much money, but could give a little. Also, this would be a sign to the DLC that they don't have to move to the middle - we could pull them.

[salin]

9. Would the media accept & run the ads?

or would they keep running the rr ads but deny progressive ads b/c "they are too controversial?"

Used to think that $ (ad revenues) would win out... the whole "free market" Argument. But this past year has proven this is no longer true.

[NAO]

12. If they refuse the ads, they get free coverage on the news (UCC, SBVFT)

The recent UCC ad got more airplay on the news, free of charge to the UCC, than it did as a paid ad.

The SWVFT got massive, relentless coverage from the news media.

I first found MoveOn.org after a CNN story that CBS refused to run an ad of theirs during the Super bowl.

Produce the ads, and the will be aired, one way or another.

[salin]

14. Good point!

[HuskiesHowls]

26. Remember the original ad for the Mac?

It played once, during the 1984 Super Bowl, and got more free coverage from the news. "... The ad garnered millions of dollars worth of free publicity, as news programs rebroadcast it that night." http://www.duke.edu/~tlove/mac.htm

Make them good, and if they get refused....raise enough stink that they get carried on the news.

[demwing]

10. Is there really even any question?

Of course they should.

[DaveinMD]

11. some of us here

are starting a 527 to promote progressive values. We're starting it up in January. Stay tuned.

[NAO]

17. When this gets going, I will donate. Guaranteed. Regularly.

[DaveinMD]

18. great

We will definitely publicize.

[wicket]

32. I'd love to help with anything you need me to do

Sounds great!!!!

[Zhade]

49. Just promise us you aren't aiding the DLC in their hijacking of the term.

They certainly do NOT deserve it, as they espouse many conservative (i.e. regressive) policies.

[DaveinMD]

52. I'm not a DLC Democrat

I'm a labor Democrat.

[Zhade]

58. Word.

NT!

[Maat]

54. Me, too!

I'll be interesting in supporting it, too.

[Bluzmann57]

59. Ok if and when you can get this up and running I'm in

for at least $50.00. If 40,000 DUers gave fifty each, thats 2 million. Thats a lot of money and I honestly don't believe the greedy network people could turn down that kind of money. Good luck and stay in touch with DU.

[DesEtoiles]

13. yyyyyyeeeeeeesssssss

[lawladyprof]

16. Absolutely and they should appeal to emotion rather than make

intellectual arguements. They should be slice of life/soap opera vignettes (think Harry and Louise and how they derailed Clinton's health care proposal) that "sell" a single (per ad) progressive value/portray a progressive value in a positive light. And they should be reinforced with billboard advertising.

If it were me, I'd go light on the criticism of Bush or do it subtly and concentrate on rehabilitating liberal values at least initially.

[DaveinMD]

19. I agree

we need to rebuild how people look at progressive policies. We need to reframe the arguments.

[keith the dem]

37. VALUES, VALUES, VALUES

We do have the advantage, and always had the advantage until the rw stole it with their scarecrow "values"

[DaveinMD]

41. we can redefine values

we just need to reframe our issues.

[hollowdweller]

20. ABSOLUTELY! More important than during the election! Got to start now

[lawladyprof]

21. Another approach would be to make them educational

Again using drama, for example, a re-enactment of one of the triumphs of the progressive/liberal agenda (say the 40 hour work week, Social Security, federal regulation of food quality, employer provided health insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, etc.) intercut with real life stills or video footage from the appropriate era. People are very ignorant of history, but they are receptive to a good "story" and we can use "stories" to teach. One ad or series could focus on the aims and successes of the Social Gospel movement of the early 1900s to counter the "real Christians are conservatives" meme.

You know one thing that gets my goat is when conservatives talk about how great it was/is that women got the vote. But, you just know, that if "our" conservatives had been around back then they'd have been doing everything in their power to defeat the women's sufferage movement. And, now that I think about it, there is a super clever and compelling ad idea somewhere in that thought. OK, you have a contemporary clip of Falwell, Robertson, whoever, lauding women's suffrage. Then, an impersonator/actor look-alike dramatizing them on the other side (women shouldn't be given the right to vote) using their own language from today intercut with the clips that language was drawn from.

[LittleClarkie]

22. Maybe entire hour-long specials

Maybe ads too, but I think the tone should be to make our own case, not attack the other sides stance. Positive, not negative. That's my advice.

[hollowdweller]

44. Clinton might have been Willy Hortoned if not for Perot's infomercials

keeping the debate on the economy. Perot used his money to actually educate the public rather than talk trash.

[DeepModem Mom]

23. This should be happening already --

Dems and liberals really need committed, imaginative, relentlessly goal-oriented leadership.

[formernaderite]

24. And which is the progressive party?

I'm all for education, but you have to have a party willing to reflect those philosophies. Everything I'm hearing from the democratic party leadership is that we've gone too far to the left.

[utahgirl]

25. good heavens! YES!

When the DNC asked for suggestions, this one was my first. And I suggest documentaries on liberal history, notable Democrats, and Democratic goals and ideals. I also suggested producing a DVD that could go into the subject in depth. I think DVDs are really cheap to produce, but the actual program/filming would cost a bundle. I'd really like to see another news program with real news on it, too.

I can't believe this hasn't been done.
utahgirl

[outrage]

27. "Should 527s Run Ads to Educate the Electorate on Progressive Politics"

F-yeah! That's our problem. We haven't used the same bombardment techniques as the other side. God knows the public needs to be truly educated instead of being inculcated by the B.S. the Right is spewing.
In case anyone hasn't noticed: this is WAR.

[queeg]

28. need meaner ads--

I have listened to all the ads, and I think it's true there needs to be some straight out ads pointing out the miserable situation we are in re. promoting the goodness of torture, how wonderful it is that we can discriminate against gays, and how great it is that we can once again exercise our god given right to own assault weapons.

[tmooses]

29. We need to jump on this Social Security right now..

If it's through 527's-so be it, but it is an issue Bush wants to use misrepresentation of a crisis that doesn't exist to push this through. I think their is alot of scepticism on this amongst Repubs as well as Dems. It's an issue to rally around now instead of going through this endless post-election self-analysis of the where the party is headed.

[Historic NY]

30. Hello.....if we want to take back the government the time is now not......

for several months before an election. The longer subtle commercials or ads are out the greater the chance that people will see them and remember. Were not going so much for the hearts as we are the minds of people. The ads should not be overpowering but thought provoking.
They should define the Democratic Party values as they are not like Republicans like to define them.

[CONewRevolution]

31. Absolutely YES!

And it needs to start immediately (if not sooner).

I'd love to see informative ads coming out, opening up the truly relevant discussion items to "the other half". Also, ads with a "thank a liberal" tone would do my heart good.

I'd be extremely disappointed, though, if the ads sank down to the level of those of the repugs -- they're selling fear and division and hate; let's make sure we're seen as the purveyors of the positive stuff.

[intheflow]

33. This post is on the DU home page along with this story:

Clear Channel Won't Air Progressive Radio Ads (even at full $$ rates) http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2881055

The juxtaposition of these two postings makes the point I made in reply #4 more strongly than I ever could.

[jackster]

34. absolutely

YES YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES

[genius]

35. Yes. Absolutely.

I'd like to see ads on the death penalty - showing the families of innocent people who were executed.

[Hamsta1]

36. Great Ideas

These are all really good ideas and it's also important to keep our ads original, funny, and thought-provoking. A little humor goes a long ways, and after this election many people are tired of being beaten over the head with dry, serious ads with questionable "facts". Some Daily Show-escent satire would go over great so long as the gravity of the message isn't lost. When armed with the facts and a sense of humor we are truly dangerous.

[UltraDem]

38. THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG!!!

The biggest problem Democrats faced was definition... the other side got to define who we are in terms of "not" by defining what *they* were for. For example: "Unlike the Democrats, we support marriage between one man and one woman... blah, blah, blah." The had a very clear-cut plan, with details.

All we could do is react and blast them with vauge generalities such as intolerant, mean-spirited, hateful, etc.... Meanwhile, they would get into specifics about exactly what they had in mind - faith-based initiatives, no-child-left-behind, tax-cuts, etc.

Even if you didn't agree with any of this, you knew exactly what it is they had in mind. The had a platform that was specifically defined with a very clear agenda. It was simple and easy to follow.

That is EXACTLY what we need as well. We need to present the American Public with a plan, with clearly defines goals and how to achieve them and why we think, in very specific terms, these goals are important. Remember "Contract On America?" (er, I mean "with", sorry). And it needs to be positive and put on the airways. 527's are the best way to do this. In short, we need our *own* "Contract With America".


What laws do *we* want passed? What health plan, specifically, is best for America and why? How, exactly, do we plan on reforming the education system? What kind of govt assistance should we enact to help people out of poverty and get them into the work force sooner? What plan do we have, exactly, to reduce crime and reduce our prison population?

We need to offer the American people a positive alternative, something truly inspiring. They need some sort of buy-in.

[quinnox]

39. Definitely, might be the only way to "un-demonize" liberalism

The ads should be a little subtle, kind of like the ad the ACLU ran about the patriot act, you couldn't tell if it was left or right wing.

That way, people we should be trying to reach (who have been awash in right wing propaganda media) won't immediately dismiss it as "Oh, there go those crazy liberals again"

It should lay out facts about progressive policies, and also be "sexy" so it grabs their attention

[annabanana]

40. They are TRYING!

Networks start invoking mysterious policies against "controvertial" ads.........
We are caught in a trap and we NEED A MEDIA OUTLET!!

[FighttheFuture]

42. Yes, sue the media if needed and avoid attacking Bush...

Do not attack Bush directly, or name names, for now. That is for campaigns.

However, if the position is contrary to Bush's policies, by all means attack the policy or position. COUNTER IT, RE-FRAME IT!! If Bush or Repugs or Dem-wanna-be-Repugs are attacked by inference, well, welcome to the club! It is no different from any of the other horseshit ads that attack liberal policies, such as Social Security, or Medicare, or Universal Health, etc.

Also, they should consider suing any media or station that refuses to run the ads, especially when they are running conservative BS. Try restraint of trade, freedom of speech, airwaves are public resource, etc. This censorship of the message crap has got to be stopped!

We need the Fairness doctrine back!

[creeksneakers2]

43. This is a great idea

Its amazing how far most of the public is from the truth about the left.

[trueblueliberal]

45. A great idea, and I will donate. n/t

[OnionPatch]

46. YES!!!!!

I was just talking to a friend this morning about this and we both agreed that we should be acting like this is election year RIGHT NOW. There is so much right-wing propaganda out there. The air-waves, especially on the radio, are pumping out RW crap 24/7. We can't afford to wait for the next election. We have an electorate to educate and we cannot be timid or wishy-washy about it. The RW is successful because they worked, sometime behind the scenes, every single day for the last twenty years while we sat around believing that reason would win elections for us. They have twisted their message around to sound like reason and we have to do everything possible to undo the damage they're doing or hang it all up and move to Canada or somewhere. I'm prepared to donate until it hurts and I bet many others are too.

[marions ghost]

64. agreed--must start now

...we need a very positive approach, with emphasis on commonly-held liberal views and values. Progressive and Proud. Get rid of the defensive posture. Deflecting RW crap is important, but it's more effective to offer a positive vision. We can either think big and take some risks now or be further ground under. The support for new media avenues is out there I am convinced. Time is now.

[trueblueliberal]

47. The media is key to everything

and we need to be using it so much more than we do. I'm wondering why some of our ultra-rich liberals aren't starting newspapers, radio stations, and cable tv channels, just like the thugs do.

[Liberty Belle]

48. Yes, definitely--assuming stations will run the ads.

If they refuse, but continue airing conservative issue ads, someone should figure out how to challenge this in court and force the FCC to do its job.

[demo dutch]

50. Absolutely!!!, I have been saying that for months!

[Politiclo8]

51. We need to invest in mailing fliers instead of television commercials.....

Mass mail is how those right wing organizations get their grass-roots support.

Of course that is just the beginning. We also need more think tanks and maybe one day our own television network kinda like the Anti-Fox and maybe Soros and some other prominant liberal or at least anti-Rethugs can bankroll them.

The Democrats have got to concentrate on electing Democrats to top offices in both Ohio (Secretary of State especially) and Florida in 2006 because there is no mathmatical way that Democrats can win in the electoral college in 2008 without winning one of these states.
I think that election 2004 established some databases of voters but they need to do more to profile and encourage locals to become involved in the Democratic party.

[dpbrown]

53. Is that a rhetorical question?

Somebody's got to educate the population, and the for-profit media machine sure isn't going to do it out of the goodness of its heart.

[yurbud]

55. YES-repetition key to impact

The GOP knows this, which is why Rush Limbaugh doesn't go off the air the day after an election. The crucial thing is to have a handful of criticisms of GOP ideas and an equally small number of progressive core ideas.


Examples of GOP criticisms:

1. Republicans always put corporations before people

Overtime pay, outsourcing, health care, union busting, tort reform, ad naseum

Get Fahrenheit 9/11 clip where bush is addressing the "haves and have mores" and calls them his base.

2. Moral and ethical hypocrisy
Show GOP pols criticizing dems, then their comparable or worse sins

3. When government is privatized, corporations profit and you pay

Show various boondoggles and war profiteering from privatization

4. Deregulation helps corporations screw you.

Show lights going out in the northeast, going out in SoCal with price tag $10 billion, and show smiling pic of ken lay

5. Put corporate profits ahead of democracy in foreign policy

They coddle dictators
Show Bush with saudi royals, musharraf in Pakistan,etc...

Try to overthrow democracies
Coup in venezuela, wolfowitz threat to turks about military coup pre-Iraq invasion

And even when they claim to plant democracies, they put corporate profits first
Cite grover norquist quote about private property being more important in occupation plan than holding elections.

5. Their way of fighting terror makes more people want to attack us
Show crying Iraqis and dead bodies of children

The crucial thing is not to hold back. Even some of the move on commercials that ran were too understated. These need to be as blunt and hard edged as Johnson's 1964 daisy commercial, so people will be outraged enough to talk about them, and the right will feel compelled to respond in their echo chamber--so WE would be driving the discourse instead of taken for a ride

[Cobalt Violet]

56. Don't forget critical of tort reform.

It's just a plan to steal our rights to stand up to corporations. If we lose that were done. That's the icing on the fascist's cake. Don't be fooled into thinking it has anything to do with malpractice insurance.

[marions ghost]

62. Yes, tort reform is a time bomb that few understand...

it's a good example of the sneaky stuff that the average person doesn't grasp too well--a classic Repuglican boondoggle covering up the real agenda. "Tort reform" sounds like "improvement" and nobody questions it. But it has everything to do with further limiting individual rights against insurance companies and corporations.

With a more effective media approach, it is possible to put even this difficult issue in clear terms and explain the repercussions. People are not stupid--it's hard to keep on top of these complicated issues.

[tienchi3x]

57. yes

Not only should we run ads, but make sure when attacking policies to say George Bush and the Republicans want to etc. The reason for this is it will make it harder for individual repugs to distance themselves from his policies. We should be planning now to retake the congress in 06 as this country falls apart(from shrubs disastrous policies) the political pendulum is going to be swinging back to the left hard, in fact it probably already is.

[marions ghost]

63. totally agree, great opportunities exist

...in a new progressive media approach now.

I could see an educational (entertaining and upbeat) website, in conjunction with ads on TV and radio, along with direct mail ideally--I realize to do this right would be a big undertaking.

welcome tienchi3x :)

[Mr.Green93]

60. We should print up pamphlets

and go in teams door to door.

[Acryliccalico]

61. Yes yes yes yes yes!

Happy New Year :party: :party: :party:

[IStriker]

65. Why don't they run ads about election fraud?