Only 33% of Americans support the bill that the Senate approved last night. Most Americans want a strong public option. Most Americans want significant extensions to Medicare. Most Americans feel that the government should stay out of decisions rightly made between a woman and her doctor. Most Americans who oppose the current legislation do so not because it goes too far, but instead because it doesn’t go far enough.
This narrative provides a frame in which to cast the upcoming campaign. If you want progress, you vote for a Democrat. If you want reform, you vote for a Democrat. If you are weary of relentless distortion, lies, and demagoguery, you vote for a Democrat.
The Democratic Party hears you and works to reshape America to reflect your will. The GOP says “NO”.
Let’s hope 2010 for the Democrats is as delectable as the Christmas goose you prepped and will enjoy at Christmas dinner. All the best.
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p>I’d like to suggest a slogan, “7 more Democratic Senators means change you believe in… no, really this time.”
I think this narrative is far too specific and wonky to be affective. I think the soundbite that the Republican party is the party of no (accompanied by McCain, McConnell, and other prominent Republicans literally saying ‘NO’ is helpful) and I think the President should pull a Harry Truman and start stumping in swing states criticizing the ‘do nothing Congress’ and asking the people in those states to vote them out. Broadly speaking though, the public option is only marginally popular, and only in states where Democrats aren’t losing seats. The better narrative would be to continue to harp on Republican obstructionism and partisanship, not to argue that the Republicans have not been progressive enough. I really don’t buy the talking point that we are currently a liberal country just because Obama won, the safer and more effective strategy is to understand that conservatism was repudiated along with partisanship in the last election. And to call the Republicans extremists, obstructionists, and partisans is the best way to attack them. “NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED YES” is a great way to attack them and keep the independents on our side.
I think we should hammer on GOP obstructionism — the Democrats are offering solutions to urgent problems, the GOP only says “no”.
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p>I don’t mean to say or imply that America is “liberal” because President Obama won. Instead, I think we emphasize that — beginning with President Obama’s election — the Democrats are focused on providing solutions to urgent problems. I think we use this to frame the health care reform issue; Americans overwhelmingly agree that our current health care system is broken. Democrats offer solutions (single payer, strong public option, medicare extensions, universal coverage), while Republicans say “NO”.
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p>I think that on issue after issue (not just health care reform), we hammer on the same theme: “Democrats offer solutions, Republicans say “NO”. NOT ONE REPUBLICAN VOTED YES.”
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p>Examples:
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p>Although perhaps too wonkish, I think it’s important to remind voters that when DEMOCRATIC proposals meet resistance in public opinion, it is because the GOP forces the removal of popular aspects, or forces the addition of unpopular aspects.
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p>Examples:
When written up like that the wonkiness actually helps the soundbites. Send these off to Tim Kaine ASAP!
Let’s start putting a tangible outreach mechanism on the ground before we deal with counterproductive arguments over “framing”.
…framing is how you win elections. The GOP consistently seems to do better than we do at that and thus win even when polls show agreement with us.
I think outreach without frame or message puts the cart before the horse. I see no argument here, never mind a “counterproductive” one.
if you’re up to it.