This is the Way

I’ve been thinking about what the true message should be from Dems right now (and probably should have been all along, but we cannot change the past). This is building on my post from the other day:

My view is we need a strategic message that is two-fold:

1. Nuts and bolts economic reform with an emphasis on gross inequality

2. Pro-democracy with an emphasis on rule of law (anti-fascism) and anti-corruption (crony capitalism)

The key here is that these two base messages are not mutually exclusive. In fact, just the opposite. As I referenced with respect to AOC in my previous post above, they need to be constantly invoked as being related to each other and inextricably intertwined.

Notice that I wrote “economic reform”. One of the main reasons we got Trump is because many people - and I would argue most “low-information” (yes, ignorant) voters - moved to Trump because our economy is not working for them and he is a good con man who convinced them he would make things better. Harris, Biden and Dems in general, unfortunately, didn’t explicitly acknowledge that the system isn’t working for most Americans. Using the word reform signals recognition by Dems and candidates that they recognize all is not well and significant changes must be made - that clears space for bold moves.

Tactically, one idea I truly like, and which should have been done from the get-go, is a “shadow cabinet” a la the UK and other parliamentary democracies:

• Every single thing Trump and his Admin say should be met with an immediate response from the designated appropriate “shadow cabinet member” with something on the order of, “This does nothing to make your everyday lives better and lower costs. Here is what we will do - [INSERT BOLD POLICY HERE].”

• Emphasize how Trump 2.0 benefits billionaires and corporations, not normal people.

• Remind voters of the concrete benefits they got under Dems that will go away or change under Trump, incl. Medicare, bank charges, formerly conquered diseases, etc.

• Empathize how Trump 2.0’s lawless masked goons (yes - call them masked goons - every time) are un-American while also raising the cost of healthcare and the price of groceries (we don’t need to prove this is the case - let them make the case that they aren’t - then they are playing an away game and we are on home turf).

• Hold unofficial hearings on the cost of healthcare, the cost of groceries, ICE lawlessness, etc.

• Meet Trump’s pronouncements on Greenland, lowering drug costs, phantom economic benefits they say will be coming very soon, etc. with scorn, derision and ridicule in a humorous way (if possible).

• Stay disciplined and on message. Pivot when necessary from defense to offense.

I mean, if some Republicans are able to say it straight,:

I know this is a repetitive post. But the way is being relentless. This is the way.

PS - Example: point out that Texas and Florida have orders more “undocumented immigrants” than Minnesota - Texas has 16X more and Florida has 12X more. Every Dem must ask why they are not in those states. From @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social:

PPS - This is literally insane, crosses some kind of line and should be condemned immediately AND pressure put on Republicans to repudiate this AND Dems should ask how this makes life more affordable for everyday Americans AND call for either the 25th Amendment or impeachment.