"And, on this, I think Carville is right: “Our midterm march starts with a simple phrase every candidate can blast on every screen and stage: We demand a repeal. A “repeal” of Mr. Trump’s spending law is the one word that should define the midterms. It is clear, forceful and full-throated. It must be slathered across every poster, every ad, every social media post from now until next November. That single word is our core message. Every Democrat can run on it, with outrage directed not at the president or a person but at this disastrous bill. And the reasons are countless, each one a venom-tipped political dagger.”
That was a text I received from a local Dem who is influential in our red county/blue state politics.
I concur. I really hope Rachel responds in this thread, because I truly want to know how she would respond to this. I truly don't know how to convince my local Dems to sharpen their teeth.
I completely agree it is a useless, passionless word. Almost meaningless.
Today, Jasmine Crocket said that Texas was trying to "dilute" the black vote. They aren't trying to dilute it, they want to SILENCE the black vote, they want to DROWN it, ERASE it. We need to be out for blood (figuratively, of course).
She needed to call the Republicans of Texas Cowards for doing whatever trump says, call them weaklings and sorry-ass Americans, betraying the Constitution to avoid the ire of one old deranged ex-game show host.
They need to show pictures of the people who froze to death in their beds due to Abbots insane power grid failures and of those who drowned in the recent floods. Abbot, in his republican arrogance, has gotten hundreds of Texans killed. We need to be that blunt...and keep bringing up old and new controversies.
It’s almost like Democrats brought a nerf gun to the gun fight. With no foam bullets! I say act first then decide later if it was legal. It will take months to get anything through the courts anyway. I’d pay good money to see a Rethuglican get arrested and jailed. No explanation needed! Just an oops, our bad. Let them out then do it again.
Yes I hope she forces the DNC and all Democratic politicians to read it. Have some of them on your podcast.
Jon Ossof has not done any podcasts that I am aware of and his race is important, but I see a bunch of Ads asking for money. What he needs to do is get his butt out there on podcasts and TV.
I totally agree on SImon Rosenberg. Ive seen him here and there and recently heard his podcast a few times in the last few days and he seems to be acting like everything is normal and will be fine. It will not be fine, they are actively trying to hack this upcoming election meanwhile the Dems are just now kinda sorta getting some fight in them but still no message.
What about getting Rachel and Heather Cox Richardson together? Heather is talking to Mallory McMorrow on Thursday so Rachel would be a good followup. Another podcast Rachel would be great on is IHIP.
Part of the problem is that Democrats are too afraid. All the while they are getting their teeth kicked in. With barely a whimper of a response and worse not getting out in front of it all and leading the way on what is wrong, by checking with the people being harmed, and how to fix it (You don't just blast everyone, but you DO identify WHO is causing the harm, WHAT they are doing to harm others, and a better way)
AMEN!!! LOVE THIS! Now---are you saying this to every Democratic Congressperson, Senator, and Podcaster? They need this and they need talking points (and training on it) like the Republicans have so they know exactly what words to repeat, just as I instantly think "failed policies" when someone mentions Obama because of a solid 4 yrs of Republicans using those 3 words together on every single news, TV, radio and newspaper mention. We too need to say a few words together so it becomes embedded in the brains of the American people like the Empire Floors advertisement song.
We need an attack army that we can send out to the airwaves and podcasts, twitter, etc BRANDING the Democrats as the party that helps Americans and Branding the GOP as a party of the Oligarchs for the Oligarchs (or elite if you will). This year, starting NOW should be the year Dems attack not just trump but the entire republican brand as a bunch of power-hungry elitists out to seize complete control of all wealth and power in this country with no care for the Average citizen.
And the people out in the streets need slogans too. I went to a rally for No Kings and they were chanting "No Person is Illegal" --FFS. Yes I understand the sentiment but then it is ANY wonder why the Republicans so easily believe Democrats want open borders? It ignores completely the problems with immigration (and problems with the need to change immigration policy to something workable, sane, and humane). Many Democratic local clubs are full of old people---I am glad they are there, but we need new tactics--- The rules have changed and they do not get that.
We don't need a one-word catch phrase like "Repeal". What we DO desperately need is a clearly defined statement of what it is we as Democrats actually stand for, what our Party will do if we are put back into office. We need a strong, positive, progressive agenda that will attract people back into our coalition. And we need it fast! We have a lot of people who left our Party and voted for Trump in the last election. A lot of those folks are beginning to wake up and realize they are not getting what they thought they voted for from Trump. We have to give them reasons they should rejoin our movement.
Preach, Sister!
Right on, Rachel! I’m typically pretty measured but I agree with you 100% on this issue. Let’s go!!
Rachel, please give me your take on this:
"And, on this, I think Carville is right: “Our midterm march starts with a simple phrase every candidate can blast on every screen and stage: We demand a repeal. A “repeal” of Mr. Trump’s spending law is the one word that should define the midterms. It is clear, forceful and full-throated. It must be slathered across every poster, every ad, every social media post from now until next November. That single word is our core message. Every Democrat can run on it, with outrage directed not at the president or a person but at this disastrous bill. And the reasons are countless, each one a venom-tipped political dagger.”
That was a text I received from a local Dem who is influential in our red county/blue state politics.
Repeal? Honestly? What a weak, unemotional, vague word!
I concur. I really hope Rachel responds in this thread, because I truly want to know how she would respond to this. I truly don't know how to convince my local Dems to sharpen their teeth.
I completely agree it is a useless, passionless word. Almost meaningless.
Today, Jasmine Crocket said that Texas was trying to "dilute" the black vote. They aren't trying to dilute it, they want to SILENCE the black vote, they want to DROWN it, ERASE it. We need to be out for blood (figuratively, of course).
She needed to call the Republicans of Texas Cowards for doing whatever trump says, call them weaklings and sorry-ass Americans, betraying the Constitution to avoid the ire of one old deranged ex-game show host.
They need to show pictures of the people who froze to death in their beds due to Abbots insane power grid failures and of those who drowned in the recent floods. Abbot, in his republican arrogance, has gotten hundreds of Texans killed. We need to be that blunt...and keep bringing up old and new controversies.
Carville is past his prime. The word repeal doesn't even begin to describe what's needed.
Something tells me Rachel will have a better slogan. Thanks for letting us all know what text you received
BTW, I've been trying to get our local Dems to read and follow you for two years now.
It’s almost like Democrats brought a nerf gun to the gun fight. With no foam bullets! I say act first then decide later if it was legal. It will take months to get anything through the courts anyway. I’d pay good money to see a Rethuglican get arrested and jailed. No explanation needed! Just an oops, our bad. Let them out then do it again.
Gerrymander every state with a Democratic trifecta. No one is going to hand us a win. We have to take it!
So how do you get them to follow your advice?
THANK YOU! Does anyone at Democratic headquarters read your essays? They should. I am SO TIRED of Democrats bringing that butter knife to a gun fight.
Yes I hope she forces the DNC and all Democratic politicians to read it. Have some of them on your podcast.
Jon Ossof has not done any podcasts that I am aware of and his race is important, but I see a bunch of Ads asking for money. What he needs to do is get his butt out there on podcasts and TV.
Can someone please get Democratic politicians to read this????
I plan on cutting and pasting this in an email to my congressional and state reps.
Brilliant distillation, Rachel!
I sent this to the DNC committee, Minority Leaders Schumer & Jeffries. I hope they read it. I hope they use it.
I think Simon Rosenberg needs to hear this. He's treating this situation, as you say, a college seminar.
I totally agree on SImon Rosenberg. Ive seen him here and there and recently heard his podcast a few times in the last few days and he seems to be acting like everything is normal and will be fine. It will not be fine, they are actively trying to hack this upcoming election meanwhile the Dems are just now kinda sorta getting some fight in them but still no message.
What about getting Rachel and Heather Cox Richardson together? Heather is talking to Mallory McMorrow on Thursday so Rachel would be a good followup. Another podcast Rachel would be great on is IHIP.
Part of the problem is that Democrats are too afraid. All the while they are getting their teeth kicked in. With barely a whimper of a response and worse not getting out in front of it all and leading the way on what is wrong, by checking with the people being harmed, and how to fix it (You don't just blast everyone, but you DO identify WHO is causing the harm, WHAT they are doing to harm others, and a better way)
AMEN!!! LOVE THIS! Now---are you saying this to every Democratic Congressperson, Senator, and Podcaster? They need this and they need talking points (and training on it) like the Republicans have so they know exactly what words to repeat, just as I instantly think "failed policies" when someone mentions Obama because of a solid 4 yrs of Republicans using those 3 words together on every single news, TV, radio and newspaper mention. We too need to say a few words together so it becomes embedded in the brains of the American people like the Empire Floors advertisement song.
We need an attack army that we can send out to the airwaves and podcasts, twitter, etc BRANDING the Democrats as the party that helps Americans and Branding the GOP as a party of the Oligarchs for the Oligarchs (or elite if you will). This year, starting NOW should be the year Dems attack not just trump but the entire republican brand as a bunch of power-hungry elitists out to seize complete control of all wealth and power in this country with no care for the Average citizen.
And the people out in the streets need slogans too. I went to a rally for No Kings and they were chanting "No Person is Illegal" --FFS. Yes I understand the sentiment but then it is ANY wonder why the Republicans so easily believe Democrats want open borders? It ignores completely the problems with immigration (and problems with the need to change immigration policy to something workable, sane, and humane). Many Democratic local clubs are full of old people---I am glad they are there, but we need new tactics--- The rules have changed and they do not get that.
Right on Rachel!!!
The Democrats NEED you in charge!!!
Praying they wake the f up and LISTEN AND ACT ON your advice.
(Thought I would try the awful orange man's font)
Thank you Rachel for another great motivating piece!!
WOW Rachel!! Just what I needed to hear. Thank you
We don't need a one-word catch phrase like "Repeal". What we DO desperately need is a clearly defined statement of what it is we as Democrats actually stand for, what our Party will do if we are put back into office. We need a strong, positive, progressive agenda that will attract people back into our coalition. And we need it fast! We have a lot of people who left our Party and voted for Trump in the last election. A lot of those folks are beginning to wake up and realize they are not getting what they thought they voted for from Trump. We have to give them reasons they should rejoin our movement.