I like the joke about Republican billionaires being smarter than Democratic billionaires. I don't think their IQ is actually higher. I think Republican donors approach getting votes the way they would approach a marketing scheme designed to get more profits.Sales tactics obviously work.
Our advantage against this is that personal connections in real life will defeat hollow, fakey marketing. Sure, people will go for the entertaining, flattering marketing, but they are now learning that marketing and Republicans are only solving THEIR problems, not the voters' problems. This realization is what we see in Republican town halls.
If we can connect for real and then grab voters by the lapels and show, not tell, them we are dedicated to making their lives better, then we can win back their loyalty. Democrats need to study what FDR did. He practiced retail politics. People knew he cared and he was trying. That kind of heart will make Trump's deceptive political practices fade away.
And if Democratic politicians are relying on consultants who are not dedicated to making voters' lives better, those wastes of space need to be shown the door.
After reading the article, it seems clear to me that the Democratic Party, and in truth both major political parties, are missing a critical point: public trust in institutions has eroded significantly. Many Americans today feel not only abandoned by the systems they once relied upon but actively betrayed by them. This growing disillusionment is not partisan; it spans political ideologies and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Both parties, though ideologically distinct, have exhibited increasingly authoritarian tendencies in how they assert their agendas. Whether through policy enforcement, media influence, or social pressure, the average citizen is left feeling controlled rather than represented.
One of the most glaring issues I see with the Democratic Party in particular is the lack of authentic, long-form, logical debate in public discourse. There appears to be a growing reliance on emotionally charged messaging meant to deplatform through moral condemnation, a tendency to cater to extremes and encourage violence. This alienates the very constituents who are simply looking for practical solutions and honest dialogue.
The mainstream media, which once served as a watchdog and facilitator of public accountability, now seems deeply polarized and, to many, untrustworthy. Regardless of which platform is used to disseminate a message, the deeper issue is that a significant portion of the public no longer believes what they are being told. That trust has been squandered over decades of policies that have contributed to diminished personal independence, weakened community structures, and a sense of lost dignity.
Cosmetic changes, whether in messaging, leadership, or branding, will not restore confidence. What is needed is a fundamental reassessment of values and priorities. Until the Democratic Party, or any political movement for that matter, reconnects with the concerns of everyday people—those striving to build lives, support families, and find purpose—meaningful progress will remain elusive.
From the outside, the party often appears to operate under a tightly controlled narrative. Politicians, media outlets, and affiliated organizations frequently echo the same talking points, and the even absurdities which can come across as disingenuous and manufactured. This perception only deepens the divide between leadership and the people they seek to represent.
Real change requires introspection, transparency, and a willingness to engage in uncomfortable but necessary conversations. Until then, the disconnect will persist, and with it, the cynicism and frustration of the electorate. Your messaging is bad, and your platform has become overwhelmed by absurd fanaticism. Take that how you will. But earning any trust back is going to take more than window dressing.
Some MAGA supporters embrace a framework of control, emphasizing a family structure where the father holds authority, the mother is submissive, and children face strict discipline. This portrayal of women starkly contradicts biblical teachings, which celebrate the virtues of a strong, wise, and nurturing woman who cares for her household.
Figures like Rev. Blue Jeans—an individual without formal religious training—propagate this narrative, misleading some into associating it with Christian values, despite its divergence. MAGA ideals often romanticize a bygone era, reminiscent of old TV shows like Happy Days, where families conformed to rigid roles and life expectancy rarely stretched beyond sixty-five, barring major illness
If the Democratic Party truly wants to win hearts, not just elections, it must first listen to those who left, those on the fence, and those who stayed quiet. Get out of the echo chamber. That starts with humility, elevating local voices, and above all, a willingness to abandon the belief that better marketing is the same as better leadership.
How do you engage with voters who seem unwilling to confront Trump’s shortcomings? I recently attempted a conversation with a Trump supporter about the economic harm being caused—personal financial losses, potential layoffs, and the weakening of both the U.S. and global economies.
Their only response was, “GOD will make everything right.” Out of respect for religious beliefs, how do you reason with someone who refuses to dissect an issue and consider its various aspects?
To borrow biblical language: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” It seems that, for some, learning only comes through hardship. So it makes little difference what media you seek to convey a message.
Entrenched political consultants living out of the DNC’s feeding troughs: “New ideas not wanted”. With friends like these running our campaigns who needs enemies?
Some sick refrains just get more tired and meaningless like the never-ending "Trump is at least doing something. Biden didn't do anything" which is merely one effect of Democrats having lost the plot and wherewithal to get on with new media. The worst effect or ill result--trump back in office after 2024 election. While I think Democrats lost the plot a long time ago, I believe a new plot is in the process of being written. Or at least I'd like to "believe" this which does not make it true or make it so I get to read it when we get a draft.
I did quite a bit of door-to-door canvassing for Democrats in 2024, but 90% of the doors I knocked on weren't home or didn't answer. I thought then if I could listen to these peoples concerns by email or on social media I would have been far more effective. All I did in most cases was do lit drops. Who knows if the lit was actually read?
Engagement by cold calls to phones is even more frustrating. Very few swing voters answer calls.
Granted, communication with people in my own neighborhood is far more effective than in neighborhoods where I don't know people.
When I canvassed a very poor black neighborhood, one resident cracked, "You people only come around when you want something." I have to admit that's true.
I like the joke about Republican billionaires being smarter than Democratic billionaires. I don't think their IQ is actually higher. I think Republican donors approach getting votes the way they would approach a marketing scheme designed to get more profits.Sales tactics obviously work.
Our advantage against this is that personal connections in real life will defeat hollow, fakey marketing. Sure, people will go for the entertaining, flattering marketing, but they are now learning that marketing and Republicans are only solving THEIR problems, not the voters' problems. This realization is what we see in Republican town halls.
If we can connect for real and then grab voters by the lapels and show, not tell, them we are dedicated to making their lives better, then we can win back their loyalty. Democrats need to study what FDR did. He practiced retail politics. People knew he cared and he was trying. That kind of heart will make Trump's deceptive political practices fade away.
And if Democratic politicians are relying on consultants who are not dedicated to making voters' lives better, those wastes of space need to be shown the door.
After reading the article, it seems clear to me that the Democratic Party, and in truth both major political parties, are missing a critical point: public trust in institutions has eroded significantly. Many Americans today feel not only abandoned by the systems they once relied upon but actively betrayed by them. This growing disillusionment is not partisan; it spans political ideologies and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Both parties, though ideologically distinct, have exhibited increasingly authoritarian tendencies in how they assert their agendas. Whether through policy enforcement, media influence, or social pressure, the average citizen is left feeling controlled rather than represented.
One of the most glaring issues I see with the Democratic Party in particular is the lack of authentic, long-form, logical debate in public discourse. There appears to be a growing reliance on emotionally charged messaging meant to deplatform through moral condemnation, a tendency to cater to extremes and encourage violence. This alienates the very constituents who are simply looking for practical solutions and honest dialogue.
The mainstream media, which once served as a watchdog and facilitator of public accountability, now seems deeply polarized and, to many, untrustworthy. Regardless of which platform is used to disseminate a message, the deeper issue is that a significant portion of the public no longer believes what they are being told. That trust has been squandered over decades of policies that have contributed to diminished personal independence, weakened community structures, and a sense of lost dignity.
Cosmetic changes, whether in messaging, leadership, or branding, will not restore confidence. What is needed is a fundamental reassessment of values and priorities. Until the Democratic Party, or any political movement for that matter, reconnects with the concerns of everyday people—those striving to build lives, support families, and find purpose—meaningful progress will remain elusive.
From the outside, the party often appears to operate under a tightly controlled narrative. Politicians, media outlets, and affiliated organizations frequently echo the same talking points, and the even absurdities which can come across as disingenuous and manufactured. This perception only deepens the divide between leadership and the people they seek to represent.
Real change requires introspection, transparency, and a willingness to engage in uncomfortable but necessary conversations. Until then, the disconnect will persist, and with it, the cynicism and frustration of the electorate. Your messaging is bad, and your platform has become overwhelmed by absurd fanaticism. Take that how you will. But earning any trust back is going to take more than window dressing.
Some MAGA supporters embrace a framework of control, emphasizing a family structure where the father holds authority, the mother is submissive, and children face strict discipline. This portrayal of women starkly contradicts biblical teachings, which celebrate the virtues of a strong, wise, and nurturing woman who cares for her household.
Figures like Rev. Blue Jeans—an individual without formal religious training—propagate this narrative, misleading some into associating it with Christian values, despite its divergence. MAGA ideals often romanticize a bygone era, reminiscent of old TV shows like Happy Days, where families conformed to rigid roles and life expectancy rarely stretched beyond sixty-five, barring major illness
If the Democratic Party truly wants to win hearts, not just elections, it must first listen to those who left, those on the fence, and those who stayed quiet. Get out of the echo chamber. That starts with humility, elevating local voices, and above all, a willingness to abandon the belief that better marketing is the same as better leadership.
How do you engage with voters who seem unwilling to confront Trump’s shortcomings? I recently attempted a conversation with a Trump supporter about the economic harm being caused—personal financial losses, potential layoffs, and the weakening of both the U.S. and global economies.
Their only response was, “GOD will make everything right.” Out of respect for religious beliefs, how do you reason with someone who refuses to dissect an issue and consider its various aspects?
To borrow biblical language: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.” It seems that, for some, learning only comes through hardship. So it makes little difference what media you seek to convey a message.
Entrenched political consultants living out of the DNC’s feeding troughs: “New ideas not wanted”. With friends like these running our campaigns who needs enemies?
Some sick refrains just get more tired and meaningless like the never-ending "Trump is at least doing something. Biden didn't do anything" which is merely one effect of Democrats having lost the plot and wherewithal to get on with new media. The worst effect or ill result--trump back in office after 2024 election. While I think Democrats lost the plot a long time ago, I believe a new plot is in the process of being written. Or at least I'd like to "believe" this which does not make it true or make it so I get to read it when we get a draft.
I did quite a bit of door-to-door canvassing for Democrats in 2024, but 90% of the doors I knocked on weren't home or didn't answer. I thought then if I could listen to these peoples concerns by email or on social media I would have been far more effective. All I did in most cases was do lit drops. Who knows if the lit was actually read?
Engagement by cold calls to phones is even more frustrating. Very few swing voters answer calls.
Granted, communication with people in my own neighborhood is far more effective than in neighborhoods where I don't know people.
When I canvassed a very poor black neighborhood, one resident cracked, "You people only come around when you want something." I have to admit that's true.