Democrats look to sharpen message after Senate setback

[brooklynite]

The Hill

Senate Democrats are grappling with how to improve their messaging after failing to win back the majority for the third cycle in a row.

Democrats were the favorites to win the Senate heading into Nov. 3, but instead find themselves soul searching about strategy as they face the possibility of another two years in the minority.

Senators aren’t engaging in the high-profile spats and finger-pointing seen in the House following the loss of Democratic seats, but Democrats say there's a recognition that their message is getting lost in translation, or drowned out by GOP attacks, among voters they should be winning.

“I think the issue we’re grappling with more on the Senate side is, you know, how to get accomplishments and then make sure people understand ‘hey that’s a Democratic thing,’” said Sen. Sen Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

[mrs_p]

1. What accomplishments?

Nothing of use comes to the senate floor with MM in charge. And, based on the recent outcome, Americans like it that way.

Seriously, what, other than tax cuts and judges, has the senate done for the last 5 years?

We pay them for doing nothing.

[exboyfil]

3. Well after Jan. 20th you can be sure they suddenly

will take their oversight role of the Executive branch seriously irrespective of which party controls the Senate. That is after four years of ignoring it.

[mrs_p]

5. Yes, that's for sure

Oh and they will suddenly care about the debt they created to pay off the rich with tax cuts.

[judesedit]

2. Stop trying to sound intelligent. Use words the not-so-bright can understand

You know the educational system in this country has been on the decline. Especially since teachers are having to teach to the test, or whatever it's called, so the school can get funding. Use less words. Be blunt. Get your point across loudly and clearly.

[judesedit]

4. Stop sugar-coating everything. Tell it like it is. Plain and simple

[exboyfil]

6. Yes where the hell were the scare grandma

Social Security is going away in three year ads if your Republican Senator is reelected.

No funding source for Social Security (see Trump)
Trust fund expires in three years (see the law)
No more checks for grandma (see the law)

We never used this in Iowa, and I can't understand why.

[callous taoboy]

9. Push the narrative that workers such as teachers, nurses, are getting the shaft.

Especially in "right-to-work" states. I'm a retired Texas teacher and during Drumpf's time in office I saw no raise at all (salary already was crap), and I will not be getting any SS check in the future (state law). My pension has no built in COL increases, so as soon as it is safe to work again I will be getting a second job.

Every opportunity on T.V. or wherever they need to push hard the fact that teachers, nurses, and others have been on the losing end for long enough. I hardly heard a word about this during the campaign.

[Maxheader]

7. I think the gop wheels...

Had to throw the most money at the senate majority

which might protect their owners pockets

the most.....

[SoonerPride]

8. Health care, education, Medicare, social security

Stick to those four messages.

Repeat.

And establish grass roots community organizing in every state.

[Demsrule86]

11. I agree with that. That message works everywhere.

[Demsrule86]

10. We didn't fail in the Senate as we really did in the House...

It was always a hard slog to win the Senate. I am glad we got two seats and hope we take Georgia. But we were competing in red and purple states...North Carolina, Iowa. We need to expand our chances with a 50 state strategy and a big tent party so we compete everywhere and build an organization in every state. We do very little to win state houses and this is a census year so we can expect more gerrymandering. I think the DNC needs to field good candidates, support them and support state government candidates and State parties as well.

[UCmeNdc]

12. "You have to change it through grassroots organizing," said Brownstein.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214562507

[BumRushDaShow]

18. And Brownstein LIED

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100214562507#post4

[uponit7771]

13. So they KNEW their message was off ? if no why not?

[Ferrets are Cool]

14. One of the biggest problems we have is that the repugs have NO problem with lying in their ads.

We need to develop a Lincoln Project type messaging machine to get OUR message out and debunk the lies on the other side. We must get ruthless or we will forever languish in mediocrity.

[kwolf68]

15. Stand for something

*The wishy washy, "I am not him" argument is lame.

*Address the sodalist narrative. Ignoring it allows the right to define us

*Kitchen table issues. Health care, jobs

*Be the party of the common man, the working class. Upper crust East side Liberals in the cities who shop Whole Foods are still part of the coalition and won't abandon the party if we talk to the working poor again

*Fight to get money out of politics and our political system

*Quit blaming the left for every thing. Far as I can tell the "left" has not gotten one major initiative they have bargained for since Obama was elected. Stop pretending they have ANY power in this party and quit blaming them when your corporate, center driven Republican light message doesn't work. IE, be a TRUE big tent.

[moose65]

16. What message??

This year, the Presidential election swallowed up everything else. Trump, for whatever reason, sucks up all the oxygen in the room, and there’s no room for anything but him.

I saw endless Cal Cunningham ads here, and they were bland and milquetoast. Nothing in them would stick. Democrats need to bring up judges and having a competent government. Democrats need to say over and over that they are the party of the people. No sugar coating. Be blunt and forceful.

Sometimes it seems to me that Dem candidates are constantly apologizing for being Democrats, instead of being proud of it.

[bluecollar2]

17. Start by hiring someone competent in the

Business of marketing....

Plenty of Madison Avenue folks looking for work...

[crickets]

19. K&R for the post and the discussion.

[liskddksil]

20. Start with the hacks at the DSCC who force our candidates to adopt tired failed strategies

that lose us election after election in order for the candidates to receive support. Beto addressed this in his post mortem. Also, empower the state parties to do their thing and give them the resources to do it like Howard Dean did in 2006 and 2008.