Brilliant piece….It seems so simple in hindsight.—meet less engaged voters where they are. Yet this is something that the Dems couldn’t grasp…or wouldn’t.. That was a tragic mistake along with the fact that they were running to “save democracy”… which was a lot like Lincoln trying to drum up support for a war to “save the union”…. It wasn’t until he concretized his message through the Emancipation Proclamation and made the war a war “to set men free” did the support come more easily and more naturally. Unfortunately, for the Dems, MAGA wasn’t peddling to voters anything as abstruse or heady as “save democracy”—it offered something far more comprehensible and deliciously appealing to a country conditioned to hate:: “let’s get rid of those other people.” And it worked….Again, well done. Here’s hoping the Dems will have another chance to get it right. 🙏
Would you say that more focus on local politics (on the ground, not necessarily in media) would be a help? I suspect that many people (1) don't clearly see how certain things affect their day-to-day, and (2) don't feel like they have much power to do anything. I'd guess more people directly care about their town than their state/country as a whole.
Over the past 10 years the anti-Maga movement has proven success in preaching to the choir. Some intermittent electoral successes like in 2018 in 2020 obscured the losses in many state houses and the reddening trends which proved to be true in Congress.
Anti-Trump or anti-maga can learn from successful use of media and messaging by Trump and MAGA. This is consistent with the theme of your essay
Two points of contention
1. I do disagree with your characterization that most people are disengaged. It comes close to the arrogance and talking down of the progressive media that you’ve accurately criticized
2. There are a large segment of anti-Trump folks who have simply not participated in elections in recent years. Those of us who are active red states have seen the decline in voting by registered Democrats and independent leaning Democrats. They are not disengaged they are discouraged and disillusioned.
As a former elected official, I reinforce the main conclusions of your essay
Hey Ralph, thanks for your note. I appreciate your comments.
To your first point of contention, this is why I very purposefully use the term "less engaged" vs. "disengaged." I agree with you that pollsters' other condescending terms, like "uninformed" or "unengaged," are both inaccurate and unproductive. The line I was trying to draw is to highlight the difference between people like myself, who are political junkies, and those registered voters that don't consume as much political content.
Content that appeals to political junkies is much different than content and messaging that will appeal to folks that fall into what I've labeled as "less engaged." Perhaps less active is a better term? I will concede it's an inartful way to describe people.
I also think it is critical that we do not view "less engaged or less politically active" folks as "less informed" or "uninformed." I frankly think there is no correlation between engagement level and informed level.
I appreciate your gut check on this. If that nuanced line I was trying to walk was not clear enough in this post I will certainly try to make sure I articulate that better moving forward. Thanks for reading and engaging!
well said, Brian. thanks for taking the time to share. I am a retired attorney and elected official, living in a college time. However, I grew up in a working class neighborhood of Chicago, with a truck driving Dad. There are times I prefer political debates with my conservative carpenter neighbor, than with my highly educated friends.
Hmmm...this piece made me think! I used to be almost completely uninterested in politics. It wasn't until I saw someone running for president who seemed progressive, charismatic and interesting (Obama) that I became semi-engaged. But now! Trumpism has caught my attention and my ire! Here's the thing about that: Trump himself may be the best draw of all to engage uninterested non-voters! The more outrageous he gets the more engaged we get.
Brilliant piece….It seems so simple in hindsight.—meet less engaged voters where they are. Yet this is something that the Dems couldn’t grasp…or wouldn’t.. That was a tragic mistake along with the fact that they were running to “save democracy”… which was a lot like Lincoln trying to drum up support for a war to “save the union”…. It wasn’t until he concretized his message through the Emancipation Proclamation and made the war a war “to set men free” did the support come more easily and more naturally. Unfortunately, for the Dems, MAGA wasn’t peddling to voters anything as abstruse or heady as “save democracy”—it offered something far more comprehensible and deliciously appealing to a country conditioned to hate:: “let’s get rid of those other people.” And it worked….Again, well done. Here’s hoping the Dems will have another chance to get it right. 🙏
Thanks Howell. Sometimes the simpliset answer is the best.
Would you say that more focus on local politics (on the ground, not necessarily in media) would be a help? I suspect that many people (1) don't clearly see how certain things affect their day-to-day, and (2) don't feel like they have much power to do anything. I'd guess more people directly care about their town than their state/country as a whole.
Over the past 10 years the anti-Maga movement has proven success in preaching to the choir. Some intermittent electoral successes like in 2018 in 2020 obscured the losses in many state houses and the reddening trends which proved to be true in Congress.
Anti-Trump or anti-maga can learn from successful use of media and messaging by Trump and MAGA. This is consistent with the theme of your essay
Two points of contention
1. I do disagree with your characterization that most people are disengaged. It comes close to the arrogance and talking down of the progressive media that you’ve accurately criticized
2. There are a large segment of anti-Trump folks who have simply not participated in elections in recent years. Those of us who are active red states have seen the decline in voting by registered Democrats and independent leaning Democrats. They are not disengaged they are discouraged and disillusioned.
As a former elected official, I reinforce the main conclusions of your essay
Hey Ralph, thanks for your note. I appreciate your comments.
To your first point of contention, this is why I very purposefully use the term "less engaged" vs. "disengaged." I agree with you that pollsters' other condescending terms, like "uninformed" or "unengaged," are both inaccurate and unproductive. The line I was trying to draw is to highlight the difference between people like myself, who are political junkies, and those registered voters that don't consume as much political content.
Content that appeals to political junkies is much different than content and messaging that will appeal to folks that fall into what I've labeled as "less engaged." Perhaps less active is a better term? I will concede it's an inartful way to describe people.
I also think it is critical that we do not view "less engaged or less politically active" folks as "less informed" or "uninformed." I frankly think there is no correlation between engagement level and informed level.
I appreciate your gut check on this. If that nuanced line I was trying to walk was not clear enough in this post I will certainly try to make sure I articulate that better moving forward. Thanks for reading and engaging!
well said, Brian. thanks for taking the time to share. I am a retired attorney and elected official, living in a college time. However, I grew up in a working class neighborhood of Chicago, with a truck driving Dad. There are times I prefer political debates with my conservative carpenter neighbor, than with my highly educated friends.
It’s word but I try to talk about people who aren't regularly involved in the political process or may be focused on other priorities (like life)
Hmmm...this piece made me think! I used to be almost completely uninterested in politics. It wasn't until I saw someone running for president who seemed progressive, charismatic and interesting (Obama) that I became semi-engaged. But now! Trumpism has caught my attention and my ire! Here's the thing about that: Trump himself may be the best draw of all to engage uninterested non-voters! The more outrageous he gets the more engaged we get.