"The Secret Weapon Democrats Don't Know How to Use"

[Honeycombe8]

An article in Politico talking about one of several Democrats who won big in districts that Trump won, and examining how she did it.

She apparently does it the old fashioned way. She puts on goggles, or hardhats, and goes to small venues like local factories or farms or grocery stores, and shakes hands and listens. She avoids discussions about social issues like abortion, since she views that as a lose-lose, focusing instead on her stands on things that would make a difference in their lives, like jobs and the economy and fixing Obamacare instead of repealing it. She won big in a district with agricultural, industrial, and blue collar workers.

Interesting article on how to win the old-fashioned way. This is especially relevant with the upcoming 2018 midterms, if the Democrats want to take back the House.

The Bustos blueprint, she told me in January as the Taurus dodged raccoon road kill outside a speck of a village called Maquon, is rooted in unslick, face-to-face politicking. She shows up. She shakes hands. She asks questions—a lot of questions. “Don’t talk down to people—you listen,” she stressed. When she does talk, she talks as much as she can about jobs and wages and the economy and as little as she can about guns and abortion and other socially divisive issues—which, for her, are “no-win conversations,” she explained. And at a time when members of both parties are being tugged toward their respective ideological poles, the more center-left Bustos has picked her spots to buck such partisanship. She’s a pro-choice Catholic and an advocate for limited gun control, but she has supported the Keystone pipeline and called for improvements to Barack Obama’s “imperfect” Affordable Care Act. It’s worked. She’s the only Democratic member of the Illinois’ congressional delegation from outside Chicagoland.

She has met with the new DNC boss, Perez. And others who are up for mid-term elections are taking note of how she ensured a big win. But she says she has taken a lot of flack from other Democrats, since she's more moderate, in view of her district. Different areas of the country have different viewpoints and concerns.

“There’s people who think we’ve got to just work on the base—right?—and get people fired up, and that’s going to get us to 218. I don’t,” she said. “I don’t think that’s going to get us to 218. I think what’s going to get us to 218 is to understand these tough districts where we have not done well.”

She cited as evidence last month’s special election in Kansas. The Democrat won Wichita but lost everywhere else. “That candidate bombed in all those rural areas,” Bustos said bluntly. “If he just didn’t bomb in those rural areas, we could’ve won that.”

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/05/12/cheri-bustos-trump-territory-democrats-215126

[yallerdawg]

1. It's really remarkable.

This is exactly how Hillary campaigned.

Only she had a M$M creating a daily narrative coast to coast about some emails or a dozen other distractions.

Oh, well.

[Honeycombe8]

2. She didn't go to Michigan or Wisconsin at all. Those were surprise wins for Trump.

And after watching the campaigns of Trump & HRC closely, HRC did speak on social issues, rather than avoid them. But HRC was a national candidate, not a local one.

I don't know how this "appeal to the midwest concerns" applies to a national politician, though. This advice is for the House of Representatives candidates, since they represent distinct, small areas.

[yallerdawg]

3. Hillary didn't focus on the divisive wedge issues.

She started her campaign with a prolonged 'listening tour' heavily criticized for not filling convenient airport hangers or college stadiums.

There were many "surprises" in 2016.

I can think of three where she did campaign! Florida and North Carolina - those were projected to be hard-won victories.

Tim Kaine's Virginia! It took late that night to seal that victory! That was the sign that things were not turning out as expected - like every poll in Michigan and Wisconsin indicated.

[NBachers]

9. Here's a list of campaign stops in PA, MI, and WI made by Hillary & her fellow high-level associates

This link can be used to verify: https://hillaryspeeches.com/speech-archive/2016-2/

PENNSYLVANIA

April 1, 2016 Newtown, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 1, 2016 State College, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 6, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 6, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 7, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 7, 2016 Scranton, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 8, 2016 Erie, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 10, 2016 Villanova, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 13, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 13, 2016 Erie, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 20, 2016 Johnstown, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 20, 2016 Scranton, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 20, 2016 Horsham, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 20, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 21, 2016 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 22, 2016 Reading, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 23, 2016 Swarthmore, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 23, 2016 Ambler, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

April 24, 2016 Wynnewood, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 24, 2016 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 25, 2016 Youngwood, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

April 25, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

April 25, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 25, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

April 26, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Primary Night Event

June 14, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

July 8, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania African Methodist Episcopal Church Quadrennial Session

July 25, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Democratic National Convention – Day 1

July 26, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Democratic National Convention – Day 2

July 27, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Democratic National Convention – Day 3

July 28, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Democratic National Convention – Day 4

July 29, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Rally

July 29, 2016 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

July 30, 2016 Johnstown, Pennsylvania Manufacturing Event

July 30, 2016 Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania Organizing Event

August 15, 2016 Scranton, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

August 16, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Voter Registration Event

August 30, 2016 Erie, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

August 30, 2016 Lancaster, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

August 31, 2016 Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

September 7, 2016 Carlisle, Pennsylvania Women for Hillary Organizing Event

September 7, 2016 State College, Pennsylvania Phone Bank

September 8, 2016 Scranton, Pennsylvania Phone Bank Kickoff

September 9, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

September 9, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

September 13, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

September 19, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

September 24, 2016 Johnstown, Pennsylvania Voter Registration Kickoff

September 28, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Rally

September 28, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Rally

October 4, 2016 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

October 6, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Rally

October 7, 2016 Bristol, Pennsylvania Voter Registration Event

October 8, 2016 Scranton, Pennsylvania Rally

October 8, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Rally

October 14, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pitt Campus Organizing Event

October 18, 2016 Blue Bell, Pennsylvania Organizing Event

October 21, 2016 State College, Pennsylvania Rally

October 21, 2016 Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Rally

October 22, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote Rally

October 22, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote Rally

October 23, 2016 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Women Vote Organizing Event

October 23, 2016 Phoenixville, Pennsylvania Women Vote Organizing Event

October 23, 2016 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

October 26, 2016 Allentown, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

October 26, 2016 Newtown, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

October 26, 2016 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

October 27, 2016 Gladwyne, Pennsylvania Fundraiser

October 28, 2016 Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

October 28, 2016 Duncansville, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

October 28, 2016 Reading, Pennsylvania Get Out the Vote

MICHIGAN

January 12, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Fundraiser

February 7, 2016 Flint, Michigan Community Meeting

February 11, 2016 Birmingham, Michigan Fundraiser

February 12, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Fundraiser

March 5, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Canvass Kickoff

March 5, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Pre-Debate Reception

March 6, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Church Services

March 6, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Church Service

March 6, 2016 Royal Oak, Michigan LGBT Organizing Event

March 6, 2016 East Pointe, Michigan Grassroots Organizing Event

March 6, 2016 Flint, Michigan Get Out the Vote

March 6, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Get Out the Vote

March 6, 2016 Southfield, Michigan Women’s Economic Forum

March 6, 2016 Flint, Michigan Democratic Debate (CNN)

March 7, 2016 Birmingham, Michigan Fundraiser

Detroit, Michigan Democratic Town Hall (Fox News)

March 7, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Women for Hillary

March 7, 2016 East Lansing, Michigan Organizing Event

March 7, 2016 Detroit, Michigan College Affordablity Round Table

March 7, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Organizing Event

March 7, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Get Out the Vote

May 1, 2016 Birmingham, Michigan Fundraiser

May 1, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Detroit NAACP Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner

May 23, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Service Employees International Union Quadrennial International Convention

August 5, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Organizing Event

August 11, 2016 Warren, Michigan Speech – Plan to Help Working Families

September 5, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Metro-Detroit Labor Day Parade

September 13, 2016 Ann Arbor, Michigan Rally

September 22, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Women for Hillary Event

September 22, 2016 Lansing, Michigan Students for Hillary Event

September 23, 2016 Flint, Michigan Media Availability

September 23, 2016 Flint, Michigan Phone Bank Kickoff

September 27, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Voter Protection Roundtable

September 27, 2016 Livonia, Michigan Phone Bank

September 27, 2016 Ann Arbor, Michigan Women to Women Event

September 28, 2016 Lansing, Michigan Moms for Hillary Roundtable

September 28, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Education Roundtable

October 3, 2016 Saginaw, Michigan Rally

October 3, 2016 Flint, Michigan Rally

October 4, 2016 Haverford, Pennsylvania Conversation on Families

October 6, 2016 Dearborn, Michigan Rally

October 6, 2016 Ann Arbor, Michigan Rally

October 6, 2016 Lansing, Michigan Rally

October 6, 2016 Grand Rapids, Michigan Rally

October 18, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Economic Speech

October 29, 2016 Muskegon, Michigan Get Out the Vote

October 29, 2016 Battle Creek, Michigan Get Out the Vote

October 30, 2016 Taylor, Michigan Get Out the Vote

October 30, 2016 Warren, Michigan Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Rally

WISCONSIN

February 11, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Democratic Debate (PBS

February 12, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Fundraiser

March 24, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Out the Vote

March 24, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Get Out the Vote

March 24, 2016 Waukesha, Wisconsin Get Out the Vote

March 28, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Organizing Event

March 29, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Community Forum on Gun Violence

March 29, 2016 LaCrosse, Wisconsin Organizing Event

March 29, 2016 Green Bay, Wisconsin Organizing Event

April 1, 2016 Appleton, Wisconsin Organizing Event

April 2, 2016 Eau Claire, Wisconsin Get Out the Vote

April 2, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Organizing Event

April 2, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s 2016 Founders Day Gala

April 4, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Organizing Event

August 5, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Organizing Event

September 29, 2016 Kenosha, Wisconsin Early Voting Event

September 30, 2016 Green Bay, Wisconsin Early Voting Event

October 5, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Rally

October 7, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Early Voting Event

October 7, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Early Voting Event

October 8, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Early Voting Event

October 25, 2016 Stevens Point, Wisconsin Early Vote Rally

October 25, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Early Vote Rally

October 27, 2016 Madison, Wisconsin Fundraiser

[Honeycombe8]

13. Well, I'll be darned.

I read more than one news article that said she didn't do campaigning there because the numbers for her were so good.

I'll see if I can find one of the articles. Was that fake news? It was a legit source.

[NBachers]

14. It was the standard "Badmouth Hillary and tell lies about her" vicious propaganda.

It's been repeated so many times that a huge number of people still believe it.

[Honeycombe8]

15. Here it is.

You listed a lot of events where she didn't appear, and many speeches that were given by Tim Kaine, Bill Clinton,Bernie, or other surrogates. Included in your list are fundraisers, which is different from campaigning to get votes.

But I did find this, where Hillary Clinton herself did appear and seems to have been a campaigning effort in Michigan or Wisconsin (after the primary on March 8 - before the primary, she was there for the primary, not the GE). I excluded organizing events, which are events with her organizers, as well as events where her surrogates gave speeches.

WISCONSIN
March 29, 2016 Milwaukee, Wisconsin Community Forum on Gun Violence Hillary Clinton

April 2, 2016 Eau Claire, Wisconsin Get Out the Vote Hillary Clinton


MICHIGAN
May 23, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Service Employees International Union Quadrennial International Convention Hillary Clinton

August 11, 2016 Warren, Michigan Speech – Plan to Help Working Families Hillary Clinton
October 10, 2016 Detroit, Michigan Voter Registration Event Hillary Clinton

So she did go a couple of times to each state. And certainly her organizers did a lot there.

But that's the past. As Michael Moore said, when the weather is bad like it was, only the rabid supporters show up in numbers to vote and bring along friends. Those would be Trump supporters. There just wasn't a lot of enthusiasm in that area for HRC, he said. That means not enough anti-Trumpers, either.

Mistakes are made in every campaign. It's only when you lose do people analyze it and place blame. If she'd won, which she could have if a couple of minor things happened or not happened, people wouldn't criticize, would they?

[NBachers]

17. She's not multiple clones of herself; she had the entire nation to cover. Hillary and her campaign

gave significant time, presence, and resources to these states. That can't be denied.

When she wasn't there, her campaign apparatus was. Therefore, she campaigned there. They were not neglected by her campaign.

[Honeycombe8]

18. No one has the effect on a campaign like the candidate.

Those Trump rallies became media spectacles, and he worked up enthusiasm like only the candidate can do.

I'm not criticizing. This thread is not about the national election at all. It's about local or district elections.

[BootinUp]

4. Hillary did talk a lot about social issues

She had to in order to win the primary.

[yallerdawg]

5. OK.

Remind me.

What divisive wedge issues was she campaigning for?

[BootinUp]

7. Let's just agree to disagree friend. Nt

[Honeycombe8]

6. As my post & article state, this "secret weapon" is for the district candidates.

It's not advice for national ones, like for the Presidency. I don't know how a national candidate campaigns across the country, appealing to the different areas.

But a primary is different from an election facing a Republican. In the primary, all the candidates are Dems and sign on to the same party platform. It's when the district is faced with two ideologically opposed candidates that it would matter much more, I would think.

[That Guy 888]

8. I don't see anything new or secret, triangulation sometimes works, and most of the time it fails.

The real secret weapon: pushing how electing you will improve their lives. At their most basic levels, Democratic policy tries to be benign or improve peoples lives; the GOP is only a benefit to voters if they are in the upper, upper income brackets and usually at the expense of everyone else in the country. Democratic candidates need to frame the issues themselves instead of allowing conservatives to do it for them.

The only thing I agree with is this:

...unslick, face-to-face politicking. She shows up. She shakes hands. She asks questions—a lot of questions. “Don’t talk down to people—you listen,” she stressed.

As far as supporting the Keystone Pipeline, I notice that none of the supporters want it going anywhere near their homes.

[Beartracks]

11. "pushing how electing you will improve their lives"

Remember the old adage: All politics is local.

=========================

[That Guy 888]

12. I don't see how "All politics is local" changes the fact that triangulation very rarely works.

The Democratic mayor in my town is learning that after trying to boost her profile with the conservative Christians here in San Antonio.

[Faux pas]

10. K N R-ed

[murielm99]

16. I know this congresswoman well.

She is in the district adjacent to mine. I have spoken to her at events, heard her speak, and donated to her campaigns.

Rock Island County and some of the surrounding counties have very strong, vital Democratic organizations. Because of the John Deere plants, there is a lot of union support there. And they are working very effectively with the new grassroots organizations.

Look at the electoral map. Many of the surrounding rural areas are bright red. Not Rock Island!

Don't get me wrong: Sherry works hard. But she has a base of support to draw on.

Our fuckface congressman will not have another town hall to explain his vote on the ACA. Sherry may come here and have one for him.

I love her!