I'm tired of hearing that Dems didn't message correctly. I call BS. The red state electorate has been brainwashed to believe that Dems don't deliver and will not listen to any other story. A huge portion of the electorate in Pennsylvania appeared to not be aware of who was on the ballot. That kind of willful ignorance can't be breached b…
I'm tired of hearing that Dems didn't message correctly. I call BS. The red state electorate has been brainwashed to believe that Dems don't deliver and will not listen to any other story. A huge portion of the electorate in Pennsylvania appeared to not be aware of who was on the ballot. That kind of willful ignorance can't be breached by "better messaging." Dem messaging can certainly improve, but some voters are beyond reach. Regular folks in Europe and Australia knew exactly what the Dems stood for just by listening from afar.
Or, to be more accurate, too many of the so-called legacy media weren't doing their job. To a large extent, the best way to get around that is the one-on-one campaigning of getting out and talking to our neighbors. That's where a lot of US let down the campaign. My town is a good example of that: the Dems failed to see that the R's were quietly training and funding hand-picked candidates. Despite being warned, they thought that they could get by with doing the same-old, same- old things they've done for years-the same old clique talking to each other, despite the efforts of some to get them to open their eyes.
Not until the end did they see what they were up against, and it was too late by then. Dems lost soundly, and in the process lost a fine experienced and dedicated rep to our legislature. Her replacement is a right-wing no-new-taxes with NO idea how the legislature decision-making process works. The town was (and remains) split, but now the people who tried to change direction have gone quiet because they were so soundly dissed and discouraged. Our town online forum has gone back to posts about lost dogs, free items to give away, and how wonderful our town is (in the face of plenty of evidence to the contrary).
Me? I'm the former chair of the town Dem committee who finally gave up and started working on trying to save Congressional seats, and soon-to-be former JOP. I am now a resistor, trying to figure out next steps to make a positive difference. Also quietly looking for a different place to live that feels safer. Wish me luck.
Along with getting out & talking to friends/neighbors there needs to be a Democratic left-wing noise machine. The new 'media' square reaches millions which going door to door reaches fewer. No getting around that. I do wish you luck and thank you for all you for our democracy.
I agree. Sadly, so many just don't want to be bothered by Politics. Growing up, all I ever heard was "Politicians are crooks" and that resonates with the kids. They too grow up thinking the same, wondering why bother, the system is rigged! So many don't understand and don't bother to educate themselves. Yes, as we have all seen, many Politicians have succumbed to bribes but as time has gone by, I have realized and come to appreciate just how important our vote is and as a woman, the struggles others overcame to win the vote for us and for people of color. I have not taken it for granted. There is very good reason to mistrust Politicians, as we have seen theoughout the years, and possibly more so in recent years. But isn't that our job? As voters we need to keep them in check, hold them accountable, expect nothing less than what we expect of ourselves. And saying this, makes me wonder about those that voted for him. It saddens me to think so many have such very low expectations.
I'm tired of hearing that Dems didn't message correctly. I call BS. The red state electorate has been brainwashed to believe that Dems don't deliver and will not listen to any other story. A huge portion of the electorate in Pennsylvania appeared to not be aware of who was on the ballot. That kind of willful ignorance can't be breached by "better messaging." Dem messaging can certainly improve, but some voters are beyond reach. Regular folks in Europe and Australia knew exactly what the Dems stood for just by listening from afar.
I agree 100%! I thought Dems messaging was good; it is just that it wasn't being told through enough channels other than Corp/Legacy media.
Or, to be more accurate, too many of the so-called legacy media weren't doing their job. To a large extent, the best way to get around that is the one-on-one campaigning of getting out and talking to our neighbors. That's where a lot of US let down the campaign. My town is a good example of that: the Dems failed to see that the R's were quietly training and funding hand-picked candidates. Despite being warned, they thought that they could get by with doing the same-old, same- old things they've done for years-the same old clique talking to each other, despite the efforts of some to get them to open their eyes.
Not until the end did they see what they were up against, and it was too late by then. Dems lost soundly, and in the process lost a fine experienced and dedicated rep to our legislature. Her replacement is a right-wing no-new-taxes with NO idea how the legislature decision-making process works. The town was (and remains) split, but now the people who tried to change direction have gone quiet because they were so soundly dissed and discouraged. Our town online forum has gone back to posts about lost dogs, free items to give away, and how wonderful our town is (in the face of plenty of evidence to the contrary).
Me? I'm the former chair of the town Dem committee who finally gave up and started working on trying to save Congressional seats, and soon-to-be former JOP. I am now a resistor, trying to figure out next steps to make a positive difference. Also quietly looking for a different place to live that feels safer. Wish me luck.
Along with getting out & talking to friends/neighbors there needs to be a Democratic left-wing noise machine. The new 'media' square reaches millions which going door to door reaches fewer. No getting around that. I do wish you luck and thank you for all you for our democracy.
I agree. Sadly, so many just don't want to be bothered by Politics. Growing up, all I ever heard was "Politicians are crooks" and that resonates with the kids. They too grow up thinking the same, wondering why bother, the system is rigged! So many don't understand and don't bother to educate themselves. Yes, as we have all seen, many Politicians have succumbed to bribes but as time has gone by, I have realized and come to appreciate just how important our vote is and as a woman, the struggles others overcame to win the vote for us and for people of color. I have not taken it for granted. There is very good reason to mistrust Politicians, as we have seen theoughout the years, and possibly more so in recent years. But isn't that our job? As voters we need to keep them in check, hold them accountable, expect nothing less than what we expect of ourselves. And saying this, makes me wonder about those that voted for him. It saddens me to think so many have such very low expectations.