Do you think part of this (aside from tone-deaf phrasing/labeling) is that Democrats are such a diverse and skeptical coalition that it's hard to get unified (all Democratic members of Congress and talking heads having the same talking points instantly), sustained, and bumper-sticker length messaging?
Do you think part of this (aside from tone-deaf phrasing/labeling) is that Democrats are such a diverse and skeptical coalition that it's hard to get unified (all Democratic members of Congress and talking heads having the same talking points instantly), sustained, and bumper-sticker length messaging?
There are a number of issues involved. The central issue is that of what constitutes Democrat identity.
TLDR version:
Contemporary Democrats (post-70s) value policy and governance and downplay (or even critique) religion and many traditional cultural values. rationality and intellect is valued more than emotion.
This means that most Democrat messaging centers on actual policy and governance or is couched in that rhetoric. Little mention is generally made of other values, particularly religious values or emotional values/appeals.
There is a long history of data and experience that indicates that talking about these aspects is actually kind of pointless, whereas utilizing emotion and religion is effective.
Dem v GoP messaging was a big topic of discussion in my field back in the 90s. The same problems exist today as existed then, because Dem identity will not allow them to change their messaging.
Good points. Put another way, I might say that Democrats don't know how to engage the limbic brain (which is where enthusiasm and the drive to actually vote for the messenger comes from) effectively. Except unintentionally by riling up the sensibilities of 'casual' Democrats and lean-Republican voters. The policy identity vs moral/cultural identity does seem baked in.
They know how--in the sense that they have the requisite understanding and knowledge. They see doing so as being beneath them--pandering to the baser qualities of humanity.
It may not be expressed that way directly or openly, but that is the underlying perception/mindset. There are plenty of people (like me) who can tell them these things--but they are loathe to do it.
Do you think part of this (aside from tone-deaf phrasing/labeling) is that Democrats are such a diverse and skeptical coalition that it's hard to get unified (all Democratic members of Congress and talking heads having the same talking points instantly), sustained, and bumper-sticker length messaging?
There are a number of issues involved. The central issue is that of what constitutes Democrat identity.
TLDR version:
Contemporary Democrats (post-70s) value policy and governance and downplay (or even critique) religion and many traditional cultural values. rationality and intellect is valued more than emotion.
This means that most Democrat messaging centers on actual policy and governance or is couched in that rhetoric. Little mention is generally made of other values, particularly religious values or emotional values/appeals.
There is a long history of data and experience that indicates that talking about these aspects is actually kind of pointless, whereas utilizing emotion and religion is effective.
Dem v GoP messaging was a big topic of discussion in my field back in the 90s. The same problems exist today as existed then, because Dem identity will not allow them to change their messaging.
Good points. Put another way, I might say that Democrats don't know how to engage the limbic brain (which is where enthusiasm and the drive to actually vote for the messenger comes from) effectively. Except unintentionally by riling up the sensibilities of 'casual' Democrats and lean-Republican voters. The policy identity vs moral/cultural identity does seem baked in.
They know how--in the sense that they have the requisite understanding and knowledge. They see doing so as being beneath them--pandering to the baser qualities of humanity.
It may not be expressed that way directly or openly, but that is the underlying perception/mindset. There are plenty of people (like me) who can tell them these things--but they are loathe to do it.
You hit the nail on the head. They're squeamish about not fighting 'fair'. The equivalent of bringing a sponge to a knife fight.