Yes, you're on to something. As a left-leaning columnist in rural Kentucky, I spend virtually no time going to Democratic group meetings or talking about what Democrats can do attract Trump voters. It would be a waste of time. I talk to Trump voters about local issues, or even state-level issues, they can see with their own eyes, and you know what they see without either of us saying the word "Trump"? Trump's greedy, incompetent, braggart hands all over it.
I would not say this to any of the Trump supporters I know (quite a few) but voting for someone you know has driven multiple companies into bankruptcy thinking his business acumen would be good for our economy is beyond delusional. I would bet the real reason is the desire to own the libs.
This is dangerously close to “you are voting against your interests.” There’s always the possibility that Trump voters understand what Republicans are doing and are okay with it—that the economic price is worth paying in exchange for a party that will never foist a black or female presidential nominee on them, that will never (in their minds) attempt to disarm them, that will never so much as imply that all are created equal.
Possibly, but nothing ventured nothing gained. As Waldman pointed out, the Democrats have never tried this approach and it's long past time they did. Besides, these voters aren't supporting Democrats now so what's the worst that could happen with this approach? They will continue to not support Democrats. I see no downside to what Waldman suggests and potentially lots of upside.
You can't fix stupid. As for apologies, what do Democrats have to apologize for to Republicans? Dems should be apologizing to their own voters for 45 years of failing to standup to neo-liberal cash flow to the rich, but not to the ignoramuses that put trump in office twice. They can make their appeal as you say with attacks on the continual lies and manipulation by the GOP, that may have some impact. But many will continue to watch Fox and believe it even when they're in financial ruin themselves. Propaganda manipulated hate is a powerful mantra. It was Hitler's ticket to power. With all of the GOP owned radio and TV pumping out the propaganda, where is the Dem investment in their own 24/7 use of media to counter that onslaught? That's something to also apologize for: the Dems failure in harnessing the media toward the common good since the rise of Rush Limbaugh and the enormous wave of GOP media spewing lies, fear and hate that continues daily.
I find it mind-boggling that I have not heard Democrats pose the simple challenge to Trump voters “Name one policy Republicans have put forward that would help you..“
The most important phrase here is “because it’s true.” Republicans really do treat their voters with contempt. They do absolutely nothing about the real issues that affect their voters. In fact, everything they do makes those issues worse! Democrats need to simply tell the truth. No one wants to feel manipulated, and telling the truth isn’t manipulative.
There's a movement here in ruby-red SW Florida, "Braver Angels", which aims to teach liberals and conservatives how to identify and deal with their "inner polarizer" in order to have productive conversations across party and ideological lines. I'm not interested in this, but have agreed to go to a meeting about it next week to see what's up. As a very partisan Dem from Chicago, I'm only interested in overwhelming the Rs at the polls with our votes. While the Rs do think their voters are stupid, they also believe we Dems are evil -- and why should I bother to try to talk with people who believe that? Thanks, Paul, for a great essay.
If I speak to wavering Trump supporters I would use a variation of the Marx Brothers quote - The Republicans constantly ask you what are you going to believe, them or your lying eyes and ears? How many times has Trump said that the Iran war is almost over? Or that the J6ers are patriots even though you saw them overrunning the Capitol and now Trump wants to reward them? Or the speaker of the House saying that Trump's quote about loving inflation was taken out of context... In addition to stating that Republican leaders think their supporters are stupid and that everyone who is not rich and with the Republican elites have to suffer a bit and bear the cost of their awful policies, I would also ask them to simply believe their own eyes and ears instead of the lying Republican leadership and press. Let's move forward together with open eyes and ears.
It amazes me that myth of Donald Trump "brilliant businessman lives on and on and.... Similarly, the myth of Republicans actually caring about the middle and lower classes lives on! Why wouldn't the Republicans love the current situation? A significant portion of the lower classes support them blindly or out of ignorance. The wealthy support Republicans because of tax, regulation and other benefits the party offer to them.
Thanks for writing an important corrective to the prevailing popularist habit of asking how voters feel about Democrats and hot-button cultural issues while never asking how to change how they feel about Republicans. It is indeed mind-boggling and, I think, predictable. The framework that treats Democratic positioning as the operative variable cannot ever turn its analytical lens on the other side. The cycle of issue polling, distancing, and apology is the framework operating exactly as designed, supported by a Substack and polling ecosystem that reproduces it daily. Taking the fight to Republicans requires being pro-active and adopting a more confrontational analytical approach than the one that has dominated Democratic strategic thinking for a decade.
You are 100% correct: republican politicians DO think their voters are stupid. And it's the perfect message for Democrats, which is why the Democrats almost certainly won't use it. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to messaging. That's why republicans have controlled the political narrative in this country since the days of Reagan. Dems absolutely suck at messaging. We can govern well, but we can't message effectively at all. It's heartbreaking.
There's a lot there, and generally speaking, I agree with what Brian is saying. Correcting the record is never enough - Democrats have to make Republicans the issue. I do think that's what Talarico is trying to do, albeit with some complicated jiu-jitsu.
Yes, you're on to something. As a left-leaning columnist in rural Kentucky, I spend virtually no time going to Democratic group meetings or talking about what Democrats can do attract Trump voters. It would be a waste of time. I talk to Trump voters about local issues, or even state-level issues, they can see with their own eyes, and you know what they see without either of us saying the word "Trump"? Trump's greedy, incompetent, braggart hands all over it.
I would not say this to any of the Trump supporters I know (quite a few) but voting for someone you know has driven multiple companies into bankruptcy thinking his business acumen would be good for our economy is beyond delusional. I would bet the real reason is the desire to own the libs.
They want to “own” the libs, yet they’ll cry if those same libs decide to never speak to them again. Equal parts dumb and childish.
This is dangerously close to “you are voting against your interests.” There’s always the possibility that Trump voters understand what Republicans are doing and are okay with it—that the economic price is worth paying in exchange for a party that will never foist a black or female presidential nominee on them, that will never (in their minds) attempt to disarm them, that will never so much as imply that all are created equal.
Possibly, but nothing ventured nothing gained. As Waldman pointed out, the Democrats have never tried this approach and it's long past time they did. Besides, these voters aren't supporting Democrats now so what's the worst that could happen with this approach? They will continue to not support Democrats. I see no downside to what Waldman suggests and potentially lots of upside.
Right on.
(although democrats may prove to be fools once again)
You've got to fight to win, mealy mouthed apologies will not work.
You can't fix stupid. As for apologies, what do Democrats have to apologize for to Republicans? Dems should be apologizing to their own voters for 45 years of failing to standup to neo-liberal cash flow to the rich, but not to the ignoramuses that put trump in office twice. They can make their appeal as you say with attacks on the continual lies and manipulation by the GOP, that may have some impact. But many will continue to watch Fox and believe it even when they're in financial ruin themselves. Propaganda manipulated hate is a powerful mantra. It was Hitler's ticket to power. With all of the GOP owned radio and TV pumping out the propaganda, where is the Dem investment in their own 24/7 use of media to counter that onslaught? That's something to also apologize for: the Dems failure in harnessing the media toward the common good since the rise of Rush Limbaugh and the enormous wave of GOP media spewing lies, fear and hate that continues daily.
Amen, Paul!!
I find it mind-boggling that I have not heard Democrats pose the simple challenge to Trump voters “Name one policy Republicans have put forward that would help you..“
I've done that. They usually mumble something about Trump "closing the borders and deporting illegals." It's so sad.
And how has deporting illegals actually helped them, right!?
The most important phrase here is “because it’s true.” Republicans really do treat their voters with contempt. They do absolutely nothing about the real issues that affect their voters. In fact, everything they do makes those issues worse! Democrats need to simply tell the truth. No one wants to feel manipulated, and telling the truth isn’t manipulative.
There's a movement here in ruby-red SW Florida, "Braver Angels", which aims to teach liberals and conservatives how to identify and deal with their "inner polarizer" in order to have productive conversations across party and ideological lines. I'm not interested in this, but have agreed to go to a meeting about it next week to see what's up. As a very partisan Dem from Chicago, I'm only interested in overwhelming the Rs at the polls with our votes. While the Rs do think their voters are stupid, they also believe we Dems are evil -- and why should I bother to try to talk with people who believe that? Thanks, Paul, for a great essay.
If I speak to wavering Trump supporters I would use a variation of the Marx Brothers quote - The Republicans constantly ask you what are you going to believe, them or your lying eyes and ears? How many times has Trump said that the Iran war is almost over? Or that the J6ers are patriots even though you saw them overrunning the Capitol and now Trump wants to reward them? Or the speaker of the House saying that Trump's quote about loving inflation was taken out of context... In addition to stating that Republican leaders think their supporters are stupid and that everyone who is not rich and with the Republican elites have to suffer a bit and bear the cost of their awful policies, I would also ask them to simply believe their own eyes and ears instead of the lying Republican leadership and press. Let's move forward together with open eyes and ears.
It amazes me that myth of Donald Trump "brilliant businessman lives on and on and.... Similarly, the myth of Republicans actually caring about the middle and lower classes lives on! Why wouldn't the Republicans love the current situation? A significant portion of the lower classes support them blindly or out of ignorance. The wealthy support Republicans because of tax, regulation and other benefits the party offer to them.
Far too many have been told that the GOP is “the party of God”, but there may be slight hope that a few may escape that world of certainty.
This is what I want in a candidate How to be a “We the People” politician in 5 easy steps:
1. Get out and talk to the people (grassroots boots on the ground), listen and find out what their
needs are.
(Include: working and middle class in rural, suburban and urban communities.)
2. Shape policy around the people’s needs
3. Avoid billionaire and corporate donations.
(You report to the people; therefore you will not be owned by the billionaires/corporations)
4. Activate a vast number of volunteers all year long - every year
(We the People want to be involved. Find & organize things we can to do)
5. Repeat - all year long - every year. An ongoing process
More naval-gazing. This isn't complicated:
1. Find out what people want done
2. Promise that, if elected, they'll do it
3. Get elected
4. Do it
Thanks for writing an important corrective to the prevailing popularist habit of asking how voters feel about Democrats and hot-button cultural issues while never asking how to change how they feel about Republicans. It is indeed mind-boggling and, I think, predictable. The framework that treats Democratic positioning as the operative variable cannot ever turn its analytical lens on the other side. The cycle of issue polling, distancing, and apology is the framework operating exactly as designed, supported by a Substack and polling ecosystem that reproduces it daily. Taking the fight to Republicans requires being pro-active and adopting a more confrontational analytical approach than the one that has dominated Democratic strategic thinking for a decade.
"I wake up every morning and try to be kinder."
That message worked in Maine.
You are 100% correct: republican politicians DO think their voters are stupid. And it's the perfect message for Democrats, which is why the Democrats almost certainly won't use it. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to messaging. That's why republicans have controlled the political narrative in this country since the days of Reagan. Dems absolutely suck at messaging. We can govern well, but we can't message effectively at all. It's heartbreaking.
I really liked your analysis and that’s why I subscribed today. I just read the following and I wonder what you think of it: https://brianbeutler.substack.com/p/black-mold-republican-lies-james-talarico-ken-paxton-spencer-pratt-steve-hilton-donald-trump-screwworm-joe-biden-trans-texas-artificial-intelligence?r=1metx&utm_medium=ios
There's a lot there, and generally speaking, I agree with what Brian is saying. Correcting the record is never enough - Democrats have to make Republicans the issue. I do think that's what Talarico is trying to do, albeit with some complicated jiu-jitsu.