' Our Worst Performing Message'

[brooklynite]

It’s an article of faith among Democrats that their party is deeply hampered by its inability or unwillingness to tout its own accomplishments.

But what if that conventional wisdom wasn’t just wrong but terribly, harmfully so?

That’s the warning being issued by one of the party’s most seasoned pollsters, STAN GREENBERG. In memos, private communications and interviews, Greenberg has been imploring the party to — let’s put this bluntly — shut the hell up about all the work it’s done. It’s not that voters don’t care. He says voters actively turn against Democrats when they hear it.

“It’s our worst performing message,” Greenberg told West Wing Playbook. “I’ve tested it. I did Biden’s exact words, his exact speech. And that’s the test where we lost all of our leads… It said to the voters that this election is about my accomplishments as a leader and not about the challenges you’re experiencing.”

Greenberg has some authority to speak to non-effective midterm messaging. He was BILL CLINTON’s pollster leading up to the 1994 Democratic blood bath. He famously delivered a scorcher of a post-mortem that laid blame at the feet of BARACK OBAMA and his White House for midterm losses in 2010.

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/west-wing-playbook/2022/10/21/bidens-worst-performing-message-00062973

[elleng]

1. The Election Argument That Democrats Aren't Making, But Must to Win - More Perfect Union Democrats

Democrats are making a huge mistake when they focus only on listing their accomplishments or reacting to Republican attacks on crime, argues pollster Stan Greenberg. To win, Democrats must address the top issue on voters’ minds – cost of living, wages, and corporate greed.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1017775359

[KentuckyWoman]

2. I'm not sure I agree with this.

Under no circumstances would I fancy myself qualified to discuss election strategies. I can old say what seems to resonate with the non-college blue collar and farmer types that make up the vast majority of my friends, family and acquaintances. Toss in some "Mom & Pop" business owners.

We want to hear what the Party has done for us recently and what is in the works. However, it has to be directly related to how it affects what happens at the kitchen table so to speak. "Climate Change" is all fine and well but if I'm barely making it and my power is going up 20% every year then I don't see that as as a benefit. However, if the factory that makes windmill components shows up nearby and I can get a job there making more than I do now, that's wonderful.

If the infrastructure bill rebuilds the bridge over the creek that washed out 3 years ago and shave 40 min off my commute time, that's something beneficial. If it's sold as Trillions that mean more taxes for everyone ... maybe not so much.

What I'm saying is HOW it's sold might be the issue, not the actual replay of what we did.

[dpibel]

3. Stunningly incoherent

That article is a masterclass in how not to make much sense.

Thanks for helping me have a look at such an analytical catastrophe!

I can always count on you!!1!

[brooklynite]

7. Here's a simple explanation

Voters respond to emotional appeals. They want their emotions to be validated before they get pitched policy wonk ideas.

Consider 2016. Hillary Clinton said coal mines should be closed and miners trained for other jobs. Trump said miners were right to be angry about losing their mining jobs and promised to keep the mines open.

[The Magistrate]

9. So What You Are Saying, Sir

Is voters are gullible idiots.

[betsuni]

4. Somebody explain to me how talking about policies helping Americans isn't about economics.

"They're elites ... . They think our own base responds to identity politics rather than economics."

Since when has President Biden/Democrats only talked about identity politics? That's what they said about Hillary, too, when the most frequently used word in her campaign speeches was "jobs." White people vote Republican because of identity politics, it's all about white identity, not economics. Trump voters had higher incomes than Democratic voters.

I don't think it matters what Democrats say or don't say.

[Silent3]

5. God, how I wish the media would spend more time educating our stupid voters...

...instead of the crappy horse race reporting, so candidates didn't have to focus so hard on "messaging", which is really just shorthand for "swaying the opinions of ignorant, tuned-out people who can't think their way out of a paper bag".

[Sympthsical]

6. When the ice cream meme became real

I thought, "Uh oh."

When people are straining under an inflationary burden, and people were out there with, "Best economy ever, and shut up if you think otherwise!" it was just . . . It feels like our creaking, out of touch political consultant class just couldn't rouse themselves to see how actual people were living instead of attending to their friends on Twitter and cable news.

Our entire messaging about inflation has felt hopelessly out of touch. I think too many figured Dobbs would breeze us through, and Kansas gave an impression. But as the months passed, inflation persisted, and prices continued to rise, people started turning towards their bank accounts again.

We're adjusting now (I think, I hope). But it feels like our messaging since at least July has just been one weird choice after another that seemed to refuse to recognize what was going on in the country. "Say only good things!" while voters felt anything but nice things about current conditions in the country.

[Deminpenn]

8. There's an ad running in PA about the Inflation Reduction Act

It's good. It emphasises how the measures in that bill help You, the regular joe schmo.

I haven't seen any ads that say elect Dems because Biden's doing a good job.

[Kid Berwyn]

10. Need a better message, then.

And better messengers.

[JI7]

11. People complain about everything

[yardwork]

12. I agree. We need negative ads about Republicans' voting records.