Jesse Lehrich from Jon Ossof's campaign is right. What matters to most voters, regardless of a candidate's facility with social media, photogenicity, voting record, experience in other elected office, is VALUES.
Real personal values that come through in everything the candidate says. "I believe in the Constitution." "This is a nation founded on laws and established for the common good, not for the good of billionaires and pedophiles." "Every American deserves the same opportunities to make a life and get ahead -- whether they're a farmer or an attorney, a school maintenance supervisor or a teacher or a doctor."
If I were any candidate for any office, I would close every speech this way:
"This is the land of opportunity, and has been a beacon of light to the rest of the world for most of its 250 years. Only one person, one president, one regime, has deliberately chosen to turn out the light and tell the rest of the world to Eff off. Well, I'm telling the world, all those values we've supported for a century or more -- democracy, liberty, equality, freedom of speech and of the press and of religion and THE FREEDOM TO BECOME THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE, the man or woman of your dreams and finest aspirations -- those are the values that matter to me, and I think they matter just as much to everyone in this room. And I will work with anyone and everyone, in the Congress, nonprofits, state goernors and legislators, mayors, and everyone else to RESTORE THOSE VALUES TO OUR NATION."
I don't give a flying EFF if the person is cool on social media or brilliant at repartee or has a voting record to stand on (well, I won't support someone with an awful, compromised voting record) or knows all the players and is good at compromise ... that's all bullshit compared to what values guide that candidate to take the positions and support the policies that matter.
Bear in mind that Fox News, Newsmax, Gateway Pundit, and the rest of the far right blogosphere will work overtime to try and create the images and definitions of Dem candidates. What's the plan to deal with this?
I don't know about the other states, but Iowa has one of the best independent pollsters in the business in J. Ann Selzer right there. Is she polling independent voters on Turek and Wahls, and both against possible Republican matchups? I bet she is. And how about some focus groups?
The Dems for all of these races need some data to help them figure out what "electability" means in each state, not guesses and feelz.
Not even sure Selzer is in the polling business anymore. I thought she announced her retirement after her awful Iowa polling predicted Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris with a three-point advantage over Republican Donald Trump in the state. But Trump won on Election Day by 13 points.
In El Paso County, CO, the National Democratic Party added Colorado’s 5th Congressional District to its targeted list of seats to flip for the first time in history.
thank you for not going all digital or video to express your ideas you jvl will sommer are the only folks i follow but do see all the bulwark folks especially Tim who seems to be everywhere he like tom hanks is our everyman ironic no?
Democrats have the yips. And they should. They're not doing well.
1. Social media is very important because that is how candidates are going to reach the most people. This is where we live now and to ignore that is to keep clinging to a 'norm' that no longer exists. A nonexistent norm that the dems can't stop clinging to. We're drowning and they're debating the virtues of tar vs pitch.
2. Progressive policies are what most people want whether they realize it or not. Most people simply don't understand what all this crap means anymore (see any ism for context) and they rely on their news sources of choice to provide definitions. Incredibly biased definitions. We need candidates that can speak directly and speak on the common issues that most of us care about. We need them to understand and acknowledge that not all their policies are going to appeal to all the people. And that this is ok. To assure voters that they will try to surround themselves with a variety voices and get a consensus that will help the most people.
We need candidates that aren't afraid to do things differently and that understand the value of every single person in this country. Every single one.
Not only are some voters less online they are also repulsed by "so called" influencers who are essentially more interested in virality, clicks. likes and shares in their own economic interests.
Interesting article; though perhaps not for the reasons most think. I believe the comments, more so than the article highlights the self-defeating essence of the Democrats where peoples’ first loyalty is to a label (progressive, centrist,etc.) rather than to accepting that individuals run for office.
I do believe primaries are bad for democracy and that if parties want them then parties should pay for them and run them. They do nothing for helping the citizens get the best person for the job.
progressive and centrist are labels if understood lead to more deep thinking than clicks and slogans....there is a division in the democratic party as well as the republican there is a reason so many Americans have walked away from the parties our first president reflected on this. if Americans could vote in primaries for republican democrat or non partisan in every state there are changes coming get out of your mental rut to see those changes unfold Linda wasson age 89 seen almost everything
Lauren! Selfishly I’d like to know more about the North Carolina senate race - I love Roy Cooper and I think he has a real shot! Taking NC is a must to have a chance of taking the senate but I don’t hear much about the horse race. Any lights you can shine on it would be appreciated!
I’m interested in bringing attention to the NC-14 House race where Kate Barr (a Democrat) is running in the Republican primary to unseat Tim Moore. She tried running previously as a Democrat, but in heavily gerrymandered NC, she realized there was no way to win as a Democrat. Her campaign went from Kate Barr can’t win (as a Democrat) to Kate Barr can win (as a Republican). https://www.katebarrcanwin.com
That is fascinating! Will the GOP support her if she wins the primary? Even though it might mean a more independent vote in the House she would still be enabling Republicans to maintain their majority under Mike Johnson.
In my home state of Nebraska we had an independent (former Democrat) running for the Senate. The Democrats didn't field a candidate and endorsed him. He did surprising well even though he lost he got more votes than any Democrat has in the last 3 Senate election cycles and even though Trump carried the state handily it is clear that some Republican voters split their ticket away from the Republican Senate candidate.
It is pretty interesting. To your question, even as a Republican, I believe she could vote with Democrats for Speaker. If by some miracle Republicans maintain a majority in the House (it seems unlikely they will), she could cross over and help elect a Democrat for Speaker. I’m not sure what it would mean though if there was a Republican majority with a Democratic Speaker.
I don’t live in NC anymore (I’m in VA now), but both of my daughters live in NC-14 and I’ve been following this race for them and getting them excited to vote in the Republican primary. 😁
north carolina is a wonderful state a state with a remarkable history broke with the plantation south early but as our federal system comes under fire with the concept of a unitary executive we all must watch out for the intentions to weaken the states and the voice of the people. read the constitution Linda wasson
Here in Maine, I don't see people viewing our Democratic Senate primary through an electability lens. If you do decide to write about Maine, PLEASE actually come up here and see what's going on. I've been annoyed about some of what has been said about Graham Plattner and Maine voters in general.
lots of people are speaking and especially heather cox Richardson choose well who you listen i agree more light and less heat should be given around the rhetoric
Really insightful article in that electability is a somewhat mysterious concept and what works in one race will not necessarily work in other places.
I still don't understand why electability codes for "moderate" and why the national party is obsessed with moderation and poll chasing at a time when people accurately feel that this approach is inauthentic.
The left - moderate - right viewing of the world just doesn't compute in today's world where people have a incoherent collection of beliefs, are angry at government, and believe that national dems have failed them. People want authenticity and they want problems to be solved. They don't want policies to be means tested or jettisoned aside for the sake of bipartisanship. Why is the Democratic party running a 1990s strategy in today's world?
I live in WA3 & would like to hear analysis on MGPs race to hold the seat… Rs really want this one back
Jesse Lehrich from Jon Ossof's campaign is right. What matters to most voters, regardless of a candidate's facility with social media, photogenicity, voting record, experience in other elected office, is VALUES.
Real personal values that come through in everything the candidate says. "I believe in the Constitution." "This is a nation founded on laws and established for the common good, not for the good of billionaires and pedophiles." "Every American deserves the same opportunities to make a life and get ahead -- whether they're a farmer or an attorney, a school maintenance supervisor or a teacher or a doctor."
If I were any candidate for any office, I would close every speech this way:
"This is the land of opportunity, and has been a beacon of light to the rest of the world for most of its 250 years. Only one person, one president, one regime, has deliberately chosen to turn out the light and tell the rest of the world to Eff off. Well, I'm telling the world, all those values we've supported for a century or more -- democracy, liberty, equality, freedom of speech and of the press and of religion and THE FREEDOM TO BECOME THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE, the man or woman of your dreams and finest aspirations -- those are the values that matter to me, and I think they matter just as much to everyone in this room. And I will work with anyone and everyone, in the Congress, nonprofits, state goernors and legislators, mayors, and everyone else to RESTORE THOSE VALUES TO OUR NATION."
I don't give a flying EFF if the person is cool on social media or brilliant at repartee or has a voting record to stand on (well, I won't support someone with an awful, compromised voting record) or knows all the players and is good at compromise ... that's all bullshit compared to what values guide that candidate to take the positions and support the policies that matter.
Bear in mind that Fox News, Newsmax, Gateway Pundit, and the rest of the far right blogosphere will work overtime to try and create the images and definitions of Dem candidates. What's the plan to deal with this?
I don't know about the other states, but Iowa has one of the best independent pollsters in the business in J. Ann Selzer right there. Is she polling independent voters on Turek and Wahls, and both against possible Republican matchups? I bet she is. And how about some focus groups?
The Dems for all of these races need some data to help them figure out what "electability" means in each state, not guesses and feelz.
Not even sure Selzer is in the polling business anymore. I thought she announced her retirement after her awful Iowa polling predicted Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris with a three-point advantage over Republican Donald Trump in the state. But Trump won on Election Day by 13 points.
Good article, Lauren. "Electability" should be eliminated from the English language, or at least from Dems' talking points.
Rather, the mantra should be Rick Wilson's "This is crazy, Trump is hurting you, We will fix it."
That's all we need.
I've never liked the term electable. In 2012 or 14, did Trump seem electable? Reagan was seen as too far right until 1980.
CO-5
In El Paso County, CO, the National Democratic Party added Colorado’s 5th Congressional District to its targeted list of seats to flip for the first time in history.
https://www.killinforcolorado.com/
thank you for not going all digital or video to express your ideas you jvl will sommer are the only folks i follow but do see all the bulwark folks especially Tim who seems to be everywhere he like tom hanks is our everyman ironic no?
Democrats have the yips. And they should. They're not doing well.
1. Social media is very important because that is how candidates are going to reach the most people. This is where we live now and to ignore that is to keep clinging to a 'norm' that no longer exists. A nonexistent norm that the dems can't stop clinging to. We're drowning and they're debating the virtues of tar vs pitch.
2. Progressive policies are what most people want whether they realize it or not. Most people simply don't understand what all this crap means anymore (see any ism for context) and they rely on their news sources of choice to provide definitions. Incredibly biased definitions. We need candidates that can speak directly and speak on the common issues that most of us care about. We need them to understand and acknowledge that not all their policies are going to appeal to all the people. And that this is ok. To assure voters that they will try to surround themselves with a variety voices and get a consensus that will help the most people.
We need candidates that aren't afraid to do things differently and that understand the value of every single person in this country. Every single one.
I want to hear about Pennsylvania 8. Thankee mucho.
Not only are some voters less online they are also repulsed by "so called" influencers who are essentially more interested in virality, clicks. likes and shares in their own economic interests.
Interesting article; though perhaps not for the reasons most think. I believe the comments, more so than the article highlights the self-defeating essence of the Democrats where peoples’ first loyalty is to a label (progressive, centrist,etc.) rather than to accepting that individuals run for office.
I do believe primaries are bad for democracy and that if parties want them then parties should pay for them and run them. They do nothing for helping the citizens get the best person for the job.
progressive and centrist are labels if understood lead to more deep thinking than clicks and slogans....there is a division in the democratic party as well as the republican there is a reason so many Americans have walked away from the parties our first president reflected on this. if Americans could vote in primaries for republican democrat or non partisan in every state there are changes coming get out of your mental rut to see those changes unfold Linda wasson age 89 seen almost everything
Lauren! Selfishly I’d like to know more about the North Carolina senate race - I love Roy Cooper and I think he has a real shot! Taking NC is a must to have a chance of taking the senate but I don’t hear much about the horse race. Any lights you can shine on it would be appreciated!
I’m interested in bringing attention to the NC-14 House race where Kate Barr (a Democrat) is running in the Republican primary to unseat Tim Moore. She tried running previously as a Democrat, but in heavily gerrymandered NC, she realized there was no way to win as a Democrat. Her campaign went from Kate Barr can’t win (as a Democrat) to Kate Barr can win (as a Republican). https://www.katebarrcanwin.com
more information gets us out of the weeds we often get thrown into
That is fascinating! Will the GOP support her if she wins the primary? Even though it might mean a more independent vote in the House she would still be enabling Republicans to maintain their majority under Mike Johnson.
In my home state of Nebraska we had an independent (former Democrat) running for the Senate. The Democrats didn't field a candidate and endorsed him. He did surprising well even though he lost he got more votes than any Democrat has in the last 3 Senate election cycles and even though Trump carried the state handily it is clear that some Republican voters split their ticket away from the Republican Senate candidate.
we need more than two choices in primaries takes the place of the smoke filled rooms or the country clubs that produced previous national leaders
It is pretty interesting. To your question, even as a Republican, I believe she could vote with Democrats for Speaker. If by some miracle Republicans maintain a majority in the House (it seems unlikely they will), she could cross over and help elect a Democrat for Speaker. I’m not sure what it would mean though if there was a Republican majority with a Democratic Speaker.
I live in NC 13! I had no idea this was happening - I will donate to Kate, thank you for bringing this awareness Tara!
with the monopolization of media local and national loss of newspapers no wonder Rebecca fell victim to no or misinformation
I don’t live in NC anymore (I’m in VA now), but both of my daughters live in NC-14 and I’ve been following this race for them and getting them excited to vote in the Republican primary. 😁
north carolina is a wonderful state a state with a remarkable history broke with the plantation south early but as our federal system comes under fire with the concept of a unitary executive we all must watch out for the intentions to weaken the states and the voice of the people. read the constitution Linda wasson
I’ll be keeling an eye on this race!!
Check out these interviews:
https://www.youtube.com/live/_WwKZH7Y7bg?si=__xGhYo-z75T1F9r
https://youtu.be/ejYfoe0_whQ?si=1mX-WYM1XbAlTG0V
Here in Maine, I don't see people viewing our Democratic Senate primary through an electability lens. If you do decide to write about Maine, PLEASE actually come up here and see what's going on. I've been annoyed about some of what has been said about Graham Plattner and Maine voters in general.
lots of people are speaking and especially heather cox Richardson choose well who you listen i agree more light and less heat should be given around the rhetoric
She did to Maine already and wrote about the primary some time last year though I don’t remember exactly when.
Really insightful article in that electability is a somewhat mysterious concept and what works in one race will not necessarily work in other places.
I still don't understand why electability codes for "moderate" and why the national party is obsessed with moderation and poll chasing at a time when people accurately feel that this approach is inauthentic.
The left - moderate - right viewing of the world just doesn't compute in today's world where people have a incoherent collection of beliefs, are angry at government, and believe that national dems have failed them. People want authenticity and they want problems to be solved. They don't want policies to be means tested or jettisoned aside for the sake of bipartisanship. Why is the Democratic party running a 1990s strategy in today's world?
i think you need to rethink some of your labels we all do