Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

pat_k

(12,663 posts)
26. From a post above...
Wed Mar 19, 2025, 09:15 PM
Mar 2025

I sort of brainstormed how a daily conference on the capital steps could go in a post above. I think I may be onto something.

One thing that would go a LONG way would be a daily, short (no more than 15 to a max of 30 minutes) press conference on the Capitol steps. Every Single Day. Strive to make every moment a great "clip" for social media and news orgs.

The format can be very simple. A small group of members of the House and Senate. Different group each day. One makes a short, simple, clear statement that puts the nature of the crimes before the American people, hands the mic to a real constituent whose life has been upended by one of the crimes to tell their story in three minutes or less. Showcase two or three examples each day. Another member of the group follows up with a short "these are the consequences" statement that ties the crimes to the destruction of the economy. For example, "These are just two/three of the thousands of our constituents being deprived of their livelihood by the crimes (farmer who relied on X program, business owner who relied on Y program, one of thousands fired at a university because Z program was ended... there are sooo many examples to highlight) and pull in the inhumane (not necessarily criminal) cuts (pediatric brain researcher whose funding has been cut off, researcher whose mRNA research has been halted -- research that is on the brink of curing a high percentage of pancreatic cancers.... ).

General structure:

1. Congressional member statement:
In America, the president promises to carry out the laws passed by Congress, whether they like them or not. If a president doesn't like a law, they work with congress to change it. It's a crime for any American president, or the people who work for them, to single-handedly end a program Congress created. That's not how our government works. President Trump, Musk, and his cabinet officials are committing such crimes every day.

2. Showcase real consequences of programs ended (or inhumane cuts) to two or three real constituents in their own words (whittle to no more than four minutes each)

3. Congressional member statement tying the crimes and inhumane cuts to the destruction of the economy, and circles back to the opening message..

Every program created by congress they illegally end has consequences. They are putting hundreds of thousands out of work in industries that rely on those programs. They are destroying businesses that count on the programs -- programs the Americans losing their jobs and businesses were right to count on because in America, our presidents promise to carry out the laws passed by Congress, whether they like those laws or not.

4. A short concluding thought, such as:

For those who want the kind of instant changes we see in countries run by dictators here in America, be careful what you wish for. Instant change creates chaos that destroys an economy. The fact We the People created a government that makes changes in an orderly way protects us against the type of chaos that causes economies to collapse.


Keep 1 and 3 substantively the same each day, just deliver from different voices. 2 can vary in whatever way is most effective -- a small group with one spokesperson, people from different states, people from a single state or industry. Just make sure there are some real stories about the cruel consequences to real people. Human stories most effectively reach hearts and minds. As days go by, the parade of abused and damaged Americans adds up in the public mind. And with new people each day, the media will not ignore the event. You're handing them new people willing to be interviewed; people willing to tell their story. And the news media will seek them out and interview them. And they will follow up with the members who spoke that day, even if only to ask “You said the same things so and so said.” Another opportunity to repeat it. I said the same thing because it is very, very simple, In America, the president promises …(rinse and repeat). They can try to pick it apart, and elicit more detail. Fine. (e.g., Q: But isn’t it up to the courts? A: Ultimately, yes, but you don’t have to be a judge to understand how simple this is. Controversies – even the most obviously wrongheaded position – take time to make it through the courts. Our judicial system rightfully gives all parties a chance to make their case, however flimsy that case may be. The thing is, you don’t need a law degree to understand that there is no defense that that makes sense. They just hope they’ll get away with these crimes while the courts deliberate. It’s a smash and grab. We won’t let them get away with it. In America, the president promises (rinse and repeat). Americans understand this and they understand what is happening is more than wrong. It is dangerous. They are tanking the economy.)

The fact they are all saying the same simple thing would drive the mainstream media noise makers nuts as they try to get something new or pull off some gotcha. And that guarantees coverage. Frankly, the more they keep saying the same thing, the more attention that thing will get as they try to “get around” it.

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

I am now of the mind that the average Dem politician is just senseandsensibility Mar 2025 #1
Yes. Immersed in the beltway bubble... pat_k Mar 2025 #5
Jeff Jackson, NC's (newly elected) progressive dem AG. He's really good at plain speaking. ms liberty Mar 2025 #10
AGs are stepping up for sure, and I need to check out Jackson. pat_k Mar 2025 #19
Not only that DENVERPOPS Mar 2025 #12
Yes, you've hit on another essential problem in the party. pat_k Mar 2025 #21
You're not hearing it because Republicans OWN the majority of media in America. live love laugh Mar 2025 #2
While that is true pat_k Mar 2025 #3
If you hear a democratic pol on a lefty podcast, you'll hear what you're asking for unblock Mar 2025 #6
I've heard a lot of simple statements that... pat_k Mar 2025 #7
The msm always creates that sort of framing unblock Mar 2025 #11
The whole "he said, she said"... pat_k Mar 2025 #25
Agreed. First and foremost, we need to revamp our media strategy unblock Mar 2025 #29
I think more and more of our "old dog" electeds are learning new tricks. pat_k Mar 2025 #30
I totally agree with your ideas on messaging. Republicans have used "license plate language" for a decades. live love laugh Mar 2025 #33
Exactly ReadItnWeep Mar 2025 #17
From a post above... pat_k Mar 2025 #26
Really smart idea! ReadItnWeep Mar 2025 #28
Perfect capper! pat_k Mar 2025 #31
Oh, and a follow up. Thought I should mention... pat_k Mar 2025 #32
Yup DENVERPOPS Mar 2025 #13
Totally agree Krazy_Kat Mar 2025 #4
I made my wife remove DENVERPOPS Mar 2025 #22
This turns my stomach. pat_k Mar 2025 #24
Also constantly bring up how he is a convicted felon (34 times over) Sanity Claws Mar 2025 #8
While that is true, the Americans we must reach pat_k Mar 2025 #16
Sure. But what media will carry these simple messages. ancianita Mar 2025 #9
The only reason DENVERPOPS Mar 2025 #14
Their are ways to get attention even in our current pat_k Mar 2025 #34
kick Demovictory9 Mar 2025 #15
what some deride as sound bites is normal talking styles by most people. get to the point asap msongs Mar 2025 #18
Absolutely! pat_k Mar 2025 #27
I've been saying it simply since this whole thing started back when the jerk took office NJCher Mar 2025 #20
It is. However, I think that is heard as... pat_k Mar 2025 #23
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why aren't we hearing thi...»Reply #26