Please stop assuming if you don't see the Democrats strategizing and whipping, it's not happening

[StarfishSaver]

158. To answer your questions:

"Does leadership coordinate its messages with members? Do various caucuses - CBC, Progressive Caucus - coordinate or at least discuss messaging? Who does the polling to help guide which segments of the public are most in need of contact and communication?""

The answer is yes. The Democratic House Caucus has a very robust communications/messaging operation that coordinates with the other caucuses, including the CBC and Progressive Caucus (which also have their own communications operations).

There are regular meetings, not just of the caucuses, but of their staffs (communications directors, chiefs of staff, legislative directors, etc.). Pelosi and her team hold weekly Caucus meetings with all of the Democratic Members when they're in session. And they also have regular conference calls when they're in session and out. They are constantly putting out talking points, whip information, legislative updates and "Dear Colleague" letters, among other things. Every Member's key staff has Speaker's Office and the cloakroom on speed dial - and vice versa.

This isn't very easy, especially in a caucus as diverse as ours since every Member isn't in the same place and wants and needs a lot of room for their own messaging. Everyone talking from exact same script may seem like a good idea, but it actually would be problematic for everyone to operate in lockstep. So they try to shape the messaging to be clear and coordinated while leaving plenty of room for the individual Members' needs.

I realize it might not seem to some that there is much communication or coordination, but there is quite a bit - and while it can always be improved, it is actually quite effective.

As I keep saying, just because you don't see it happening doesn't mean it isn't. And while you might not notice it when it does happen, you bet you'd notice if it wasn't.