Hal Malchow Committed Suicide - His Message Beyond the Grave

[Edwcraig]

A Republican friend of mine, knowing of my Democratic political involvement, sent me a link to this post. I did not know Mr. Malchow, who as an operative in Al Gore's presidential campaign and a Democratic political strategist. Painful story here of a man that knew he was dying of Alzheimer's and wanted death with dignity.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/16/hal-malchow-scheduled-death-democrats-00147362

I reading this article I was struck by his admonishment about campaign strategy and the Democratic Party.

"Political communicators are sticking to approaches developed for an era when ticket-splitters and swing voters composed a sizeable chunk of the electorate. But with a body politic that has sorted into two highly polarized parties — with just one-tenth of voters torn between them — the logic of persuading voters to support a candidate has grown obsolete. Ad campaigns should instead promote the Democratic Party itself, Malchow proposes, particularly at moments when news events might help it win new adherents, such as after a mass shooting, when gun-control policy is thrust back into the news and voters might be ready to reconsider their allegiances.

“Ninety percent of voters are choosing parties,” he writes. “Yet our approach to advertising has not changed at all. Almost 100 percent of our advertising dollars are spent on candidate choice. The decision driving 9 out of 10 votes is not being addressed at all.”"

On this Easter Sunday, when we hear of the Good News that calls us beyond the grave, as Democrats, it may be a day to ponder Hal Malchow's admonition.

[JHB]

1. I first had thoughts along those lines over 30 years ago

We heard about this candidate's "brand", that politician's "brand". My thought was "Who's paying attention to the Democratic brand? Y'know, 'the party that looks out for the little guy'. Who's talking about and promoting that?"

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Target interest groups and issues

That means going where the people go rather than where you decide to lead. There has to be an interaction there. Listen and lead, poll and message.

Party heads are a little fouled up. They are not permanent or even very durable. They are about money. Yet the candidate is the titular head of the Party while a candidate. I suppose that's right, but durable issues? What the party stands for? Not so much.

[boston bean]

3. Republicans have been doing this for 30 years.

Democrats never do it.

It is a reason we are where we are.

[Midnight Writer]

4. Exactly. They have used marketing techniques to promote loyalty to their tribe above all else.

All of their lies are mini loyalty tests.

If you accept their lies, preposterous as they are, then you are welcome.

If you don't accept their lies, then you are "The Other" and therefore an enemy.

The more they commit to the lies, the more trapped they become in the mire.

Many of them know, on some level, that they are being fed BS, but to denounce the lies is to commit sacrilege.