Frank Luntz spoke to voters that switched from Biden to Trump this go around, and guess what?

[Pisces]

They love the speed with which Trump is getting things done. They don’t like the hate speech but they love the action. I was just talking to my friend about how people do not like how slow democracy works. They want to see action. Trump has mastered the showmanship. He has caused chaos and action. This is all people hear and see. Most of the public is not aware of everything he is doing. I think as democrats we need to understand this and not underestimate the stupidity of the American public. We will be under dictatorship faster than we can blink an eye. We keep thinking the people are going to wake up and they are not. We keep reading things we want to see. It is a slap in the face to hear these people applauding Trumps actions. Elon will get the blame for everything bad that happens and Trump will still be a hero. We need to wake up.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

1. Yep. German people thought surely he will go too far and this madness will stop.

But what do we get? “Sorry we are powerless and god is on the throne”

[JI7]

2. Until they get hit personally and then they will make a video or article

about how they are the good ones and it's others that should be getting hurt.

[displacedvermoter]

3. A Frank Luntz focus group should be trusted

because he has never played fast and loose with the truth? Although, not underestimating how stupid Americans are is pretty sound reasoning.

[Pisces]

6. How many times do we need to watch the same movie. We have been waiting for the people to see his

Despotic ways and they don’t. They keep cheering him on. We “ the Democratics” are Charlie Brown with the football.

We need to take a lot more drastic measures than screaming in the wind.

[BonnieJW]

65. That's what I thought

I never believe him

[Hugin]

4. The "slow pace of democracy" was built into the Retrumplicans plan from the beginning.

Forty years of Republican obstructionism have taken a grievous toll.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. It doesn't sound like they have been directly impacted.

That's the only way they will wake up.

[Hugin]

7. They want theirs and they want it NOW!

It would be nice if they didn’t have to work at all for it either.

[sakabatou]

48. Maybe they haven't felt the impact... yet.

[JI7]

8. What exactly is getting done that they are so happy about ?

[Jspur]

11. I would say Trump getting rid of DEI in government was a big

Last edited Mon Feb 17, 2025, 10:41 PM - Edit history (1)

victory for MAGA along with him deporting "illegals". They wanted this badly and believe because he's doing what he said when it came to these racial issues then eventually, he will achieve their economic goals of lowering prices and housing costs. Obviously, he's not going to do it, but these people stupidly believe because he's done a few things they have wanted that he's going to eventually work on these economic issues for them when he won't. They also believe by him destroying government it will help them out economically which is why they are enjoying his executive orders to destroy government and what Musk is doing.

[LeftInTX]

33. I think shutting down the border is a big thing.

They contrast and compare border apprehensions daily on the local news from 2023 to now and it's astounding. Deportations probably also appeal to alot of people. I can't picture former Biden voters being all happy about elimination of DEI. Elimination of DEI is red meat to Trump's base. They are talking about Biden voters.

[Wiz Imp]

49. Deportations so far under Trump are down significantly

versus what they averaged under Biden.

https://www.newsweek.com/immigrant-deportations-removals-trump-biden-obama-compared-chart-2026835

[Pinback]

39. "Illegals" belongs in quotes in your post,

because it is not a noun, no matter how many times the Republicans say it.

https://www.ap.org/the-definitive-source/announcements/illegal-immigrant-no-more/

Other than that, I agree with the substance of your post. MAGAworld is giddy over the Trump-Musk blitzkrieg, especially because it’s, in the words of a famous Trumper sound bite from the Dotard 1.0 administration, “hurting the right people.” They absolutely eat that shit up.

[misanthrope]

57. He hurts the people they hate

That's it.

[travelingthrulife]

72. Government workers are being hurt. The cruelty is the point.

[LaMouffette]

9. Right after I read your post, I switched from Joy Reid to Fox News's "Ingraham Angle" and discovered why

the MAGA idiots are still loyal to Trump and think he's doing a WONDERFUL job I won't repeat the propaganda here, but it is TERRIBLE. They are all yucking it up and ridiculing Democrats' outrage over DOGE.

Anyone who only watches Fox News and believes Napoleon Bonespurs is saving the country is in for a rude awakening.

[CentralMass]

35. You couldn't pay me to watch her, a Fox at all for that matter.

[moonshinegnomie]

37. they havent faced any personla consequences yet

wait til they lose their farm since the cant export their crops.
wait til their town gets hit by a tornado and fema isnt there to help
wait til the weather service fails to warn them the tornado is coming after they hacked its budget up.
etc....

[barbtries]

41. THIS!

These people are being sold a bill of goods by right wing propaganda, then the legacy media goes out and surveys them and reports the results as if the people being surveyed have not had their critical thinking skills erased by the media they consume.

not saying the magats are innocent, no not at all, if they weren't bigots trying to feel good about being that way, they wouldn't have been locked into the right wing world of lies.

[Johonny]

10. You can go down the tubes fast

But it is hard to pull your ass back out of the hole you dug.

They will find out and none of us are offering them a hand up. They fucked themselves.

[Jspur]

12. MAGA is confirming what I have always believed about

them which is electing Trump wasn't about economics but was all about racism. They have been able to hide behind the "it's the economy" excuse for supporting Trump since 2016 when it was always about race and now, they are taking that mask off. If we are all fortunate to survive this Trump term and overcome, it then nobody should give these MAGA people any empathy or support. They won't deserve it after all the terrible things we go through together due to the pain these idiots inflicted on all of us.

[MadameButterfly]

26. It's about economics

But they attribute their economic problems to immigrants and people of color so they don't have to own their situation

[Jspur]

34. It's hard for me to believe it's about economics for these clowns when they don't

call out Trump on the economic issues. I guess we'll see in the upcoming months when it comes to the controversial tax bill that Trump is trying to pass if they will speak out against it but if they don't that tells me again it's all about racism when it comes to these people.

Even them blaming POCs for their economic plight shows again this comes down to racism. They somehow believe through racism that their economic problems can be fixed. They are expecting Trump to use racism to fix the economy which shows how profoundly stupid these people are.

[MadameButterfly]

63. They don't call him out on the economy because they are watching Fox News

and they don't know what he is doing.

Even them blaming POCs for their economic plight shows again this comes down to racism. They somehow believe through racism that their economic problems can be fixed. They are expecting Trump to use racism to fix the economy which shows how profoundly stupid these people are.

I agree with this exactly. They can't figure out how policy affects them financially, or that Elon can't be trusted with their money. They think going after POCs is the solution like Germans thought going after Jews would solve it. These people aren't bright, and yes, they are racist. But seriously, I believe if everyone had enough, and if oligarchs addicted to endless $ and power weren't fanning the flames of it, the racism wouldn't be this bad.

[DSandra]

43. We barely survived George W. Bush and Trump 1.0

Our luck can’t run forever…

[Jspur]

54. I agree that's why I said "if" we survive

Trump since it's no guarantee we will survive his onslaught.

[misanthrope]

58. "His policies"

Is what they employ in an attempt to deflect the more essential reality.

[doc03]

14. Ask them what he has done to improve their lives? The only thing

I heard them gloating about is getting rid of pennies and plastic straws and screwing over
people they hate.

[LisaL]

18. Plastic straws? Where exactly where the plastic straws even banned?

They never went away around here.

[doc03]

20. Don't know haven't seen a paper straw in years but Trump got rid of them on Day One nt

[Ohioboy]

27. They were never banned here either

[bamagal62]

29. NJ banned plastic

straws in 2021. I think it’s just in restaurants and the like. Because, I bought plastic straws at Walgreens not too long ago.

[cadoman]

60. link if anyone is interested

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/A1978

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2021/11/04/nj-plastic-ban-straws-nov-4/6184173001/

[Mossfern]

62. It's a good law!

And it makes me proud to be from NJ.

When I clean the cat litter box, I use of cornstarch based "plastic" bags to throw out the waste. There is absolutely no need for toxic products that can't be recycled. I'd go off on another rant about recycling - but that would surely be TLDR material.

[chowder66]

15. Hear that Car Mechanics? Surgeons? Tax preparers? Firefighters? As long as you move fast who gives a shit!

The car breaks down after service or explodes, someone dies on the table, auditors show up or embers flame away unseen.

Just do anything..... fast, fast, fast!!!

[JohnSJ]

16. I think it is pretty clear how STUPID the American public is. What is pathetic is even after all of this, you don't

hear any Congressional Democrats calling trump and his thugs out.

Has any Democrat actually called trump a liar for instance?

The rethugs call us every name in the book, and for the most part the Democrats just sit like a bumb on a log and take it.

As for our Democracy, unless the courts stop it, it is already gone.

NOT ONE OF trump's appointments should have gotten any Democratic support, yet some still did. That in itself is disgraceful.

[MadameButterfly]

24. Lots of Dems are calling Trump out and calling him a liar

I watch Chris and Rachel and its about all they do, with many Congressional Dems coming on the air to do the same

[JohnSJ]

30. Did they use the word liar, and who were they? They sure weren't our

leaders in the House and Senate, and I don’t think they do on ABC, NBC, or CBS, Sunday shows.

[spooky3]

38. Jasmine Crockett, for one. AOC for another. Eric Swalwell for a third...etc.

[JohnSJ]

53. That's about it. Jeffries and Schumer sure didn't.

[spooky3]

56. Really, there are others. Sen. Van Hollen used the word "liar"

When on MSNBC just minutes after my earlier post. Chris Murphy has been very vocal. I think others are trying to find strategies that will work rather than speaking out.

[JohnSJ]

59. ok

[Bluetus]

68. And the old guard that worships status quo

Kneecaps these courageous voices every time.

[MadameButterfly]

64. Yes. Watch evening MSNBC

The hosts and their guest use the word constantly. Lawrence has been calling him a liar every time he mentions Trump for about 15 years. If you want a real satisfying hit on Trump watch Rachel while we have her every night of 100 days. Chris is very good too.

I gave up the Sunday shows a long time ago. They give the RW a chance to spread their lies and don't adequately call them out. CNN has been Democratic light for a while, and now they've gone over to the dark side. Listen to what Kieth Olberman thinks of their CEO.

I don't know about the word liar, but Jeffries has been pretty dynamic against the Republican House. AOC and Jasmine Crockett are the best. I don't look to Schumer for speeches--which doesn't mean he isn't doing anything behind the scenes but there are many Dem Senators more effective on TV.

[LisaL]

17. WTF do they think he is getting done?

Firing a lot of people? That's his accomplishment that they think is so good? I hope karma is coming for them.

[Multiguy]

45. Smaller government

also means less expensive government and there is a motive for supporting the firing of lots of government staff...... I suppose there is some logic in that. Time will tell of course.

[Blues Heron]

55. they are firing 25 percent of the government to save 1 percent of the budget. Thats just highly stupid.

[Pisces]

46. They see the show. They see action happening. It's is just a perception and perception is reality. He's not

Waiting for 10 committees to decide to do nothing. The people like that he os bypassing Congress
Until they don’t.

[Be Leave On]

69. democracy is a hard problem

Only people with the time and inclination to follow the goings on of politicians have the "luxury" of paying attention to such.
Most people are busy trying to live their lives and keep their preconceived ideas intact, so primarily vote on vibes, making them very susceptible to propaganda. The worse their situation is, the more that is true.
Of course, leaving politics to those with the luxury of being able to pay adequate attention isn't democratic. So how to do democracy is a difficult problem, and requires good will and cooperative effort. Those are hard to come by in our media landscape.
Both parties supporting and relying on the same donor base makes the problem even worse. This article from a few days ago, by people who seriously want the Democrats to succeed points to some of the problems:

https://therealnews.com/inequality-watch-why-democrats-lose-how-they-can-fix-it-and-what-well-be-watching

[BannonsLiver]

19. They couldn't tell you what he's done if you put a gun to their heads.

[AStern]

21. Too bad the way he's going about it is totally illegal/unethical

nt

[mzmolly]

22. They'll love that 'action' until it slaps them in

the face.

[dreamland]

23. Yep. As I've said, it it doesn't hit home and hurt their

Pockets they'll keep thinking they are winning.

[andym]

25. It was a change election, folks were frustrated with the status quo, but not all change is good

Trump and Musk are bulls in a china shop-- they will save some cash but degrade the government. If voters want the government to save money and actually become efficient you get a Bill Clinton, who cut over 300,000 federal jobs but increased the efficiency of the government-- all while creating a yearly budget surplus.

[Ohioboy]

28. He's creating chaos and job loss

We're in an episode of The Apprentice and it's time to fire people.

[BaronChocula]

31. I guarantee you this

If a Democrat started a term like this, there would be panic and mass dissatisfaction. We saw the double standard over the past year. The Democrat who actually got things done was too old, but the elderly republican felon was "the change we needed." The double standard is based on whom each party represents and how a plurality of Americans regard each of those groups. Fealty to the most powerful wins about seven out of ten times. The majority of voters support Democratic policies, but electorally err on the side of the more powerful.

[DSandra]

44. In America, IOKIYAAR

Bullies get privileges the rest of us don’t get.

[Bread and Circuses]

32. Sure, sure, Move Fast, Break Things

It’s fine if you’re cleaning out your garage and don’t give a crap that you spill paint thinner on the floor and a kid tracks it into your house.
Im convinced none of these idiots have ever done a strategic plan or realignment of business operations.

It’s done thoughtfully.

[maspaha]

36. The most important phrase I've hear/read in weeks:

“we need to understand this and not underestimate the stupidity of the American public”

[mdbl]

40. "not underestimate the stupidity of the American public"

I haven't done this for 40 years.

[coprolite]

42. I think Congress will also put the blame on Musk

Elon will get the blame for everything bad that happens and Trump will still be a hero.

....and come out smelling like roses.

[Bob in the Land]

47. Frank Luntz is a propagandist.

Nothing that comes out of his hand picked “focus” group or his mouth is to be believed.

[Wingus Dingus]

50. People never want to admit they were conned, especially not publicly.

Of course they're going to defend their votes. Plus it's early in the game, and they aren't feeling the effects yet--just enjoying the nasty depraved show they voted for.

[Self Esteem]

51. Trump is on TV every single day signing a new EO.

You flip on the TV and he's talking to the press about this or that. He holds multiple press gaggles a week. That's in stark contrast to the last administration that barely interacted with the press at all. People take notice of that and we'd be foolish to pretend otherwise.

From their perspective, he's trying *something* and that's all that matters. They might not agree with DOGE entirely but it's hitting to the core of what Americans have complained about for decades: inefficient overspending from the federal government. Until these changes actually start impacting these people directly, or in a year or so prices remain stubbornly high (or the economy tanks), they're going to look at the activity as a positive - at least he's doing something.

[choie]

52. Frank Luntz?

I don't trust anything out of that toad's mouth, much less his focus group's.

[alarimer]

61. Deplorables, indeed.

What the hell do they think is getting "done"? Besides hurting people and communities. Wait until he comes for them.

These people are AWFUL.

[Sharma Dreihund]

66. Frank Luntz misrepresents https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz

All you need to do is google Frank Luntz scandal, and you will find a list of things that he has misled the media and his audience about.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz

[LetMyPeopleVote]

73. Welcome to DU

[Bluetus]

67. Imagine if a Dem came in and got a lot of things done.

Last edited Tue Feb 18, 2025, 11:17 PM - Edit history (2)

It is hard to love Dems when they come up with so many reasons NOT to do good things.

The Luntz findings don't surprise me a bit. Dems need to learn some lessons.

[misanthrope]

70. Frank Luntz spoke to people who told him what he wanted to hear

or provided him with material to spin how he wanted.

[The Grand Illuminist]

71. That is why protests and marches don't work.

They will not, nor ever will listen.