Democrats are losing their 2018 mojo according to recent polling. In 2018 most American voters had a favorable view of the Democratic Party. Party operatives attributed Democratic success to a single-minded focus on kitchen-table issues like health care, the economy, and immigration. Some Democrats claim too many Presidential candidates have shifted from kitchen-table issues to a progressive agenda.
These Democrats credit this shift to the candidates adopting unpopular policies. Observers have singled-out two issues as especially harmful: eliminating private insurance and decriminalizing illegal border crossing. Also, voters are skeptical about reparations for blacks, health care for undocumented immigrants, free college tuition, and the Green New Deal.
Observers offer this shift in voters’ approval of Democrats as proof the party has moved too far to the left. But this view fails to recognize the similarity between the kitchen-table and progressive issues. Several plans for implementing Medicare for All Moving require removing 150 million consumers from private insurance. Increasing the Medicare for All pool of insured may be necessary to lower health care costs. And decriminalizing illegal border crossings may be an essential component of comprehensive immigration reform.
Two of the three leading Democratic candidates are progressives. But, the 20 or so candidates in the race represent a spectrum of positions on the issues. Labeling the items championed by progressives as “too far left” is part of the Republican plan to brand Democrats as outside the mainstream. In the same way, Republicans are trying to label the Democratic House as leftist socialists, despite the legislation, supported by most voters, they have passed. Of course, the Republican Senate has not adopted any this legislation. As a result, voters may not know about Democrats’ legislative accomplishments.
Some observers believe the positions advocated by Democrats in the debates has painted Democrats as being radical. The Democrats struggle against the narrative that they are radical progressives. They lack a network to spread their message, as Republicans have with the Fox. And Democrats have a much bigger tent, accommodating a broader spectrum of policies and beliefs than Republicans. Unless Democratic supporters decide to establish permanent media platforms to blast out the progressive message, they will be impaired.
In the meantime, Democrats and progressives must develop strategies to capture the attention of MSM. It will not be easy for Democrats to capture existing media attention for a prolonged period. It will be even harder for Democrats to ensure that the existing media accurately report their complete message. Democrats need to seek opportunities for media appearances. And they need to stop acting as if the media are their friends and on their side. Even MSNBC often distorts progressive messages.
Above all, Democrats need to create situations in which the media must cover their messages. An example is the “impeachment inquiry” hearings that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to promises hold starting next week. The purpose of these hearings is not to remove Donald Trump from office. Instead, the goal is to force the media to broadcast Democratic messaging.
These Democrats credit this shift to the candidates adopting unpopular policies. Observers have singled-out two issues as especially harmful: eliminating private insurance and decriminalizing illegal border crossing. Also, voters are skeptical about reparations for blacks, health care for undocumented immigrants, free college tuition, and the Green New Deal.
Observers offer this shift in voters’ approval of Democrats as proof the party has moved too far to the left. But this view fails to recognize the similarity between the kitchen-table and progressive issues. Several plans for implementing Medicare for All Moving require removing 150 million consumers from private insurance. Increasing the Medicare for All pool of insured may be necessary to lower health care costs. And decriminalizing illegal border crossings may be an essential component of comprehensive immigration reform.
Two of the three leading Democratic candidates are progressives. But, the 20 or so candidates in the race represent a spectrum of positions on the issues. Labeling the items championed by progressives as “too far left” is part of the Republican plan to brand Democrats as outside the mainstream. In the same way, Republicans are trying to label the Democratic House as leftist socialists, despite the legislation, supported by most voters, they have passed. Of course, the Republican Senate has not adopted any this legislation. As a result, voters may not know about Democrats’ legislative accomplishments.
Some observers believe the positions advocated by Democrats in the debates has painted Democrats as being radical. The Democrats struggle against the narrative that they are radical progressives. They lack a network to spread their message, as Republicans have with the Fox. And Democrats have a much bigger tent, accommodating a broader spectrum of policies and beliefs than Republicans. Unless Democratic supporters decide to establish permanent media platforms to blast out the progressive message, they will be impaired.
In the meantime, Democrats and progressives must develop strategies to capture the attention of MSM. It will not be easy for Democrats to capture existing media attention for a prolonged period. It will be even harder for Democrats to ensure that the existing media accurately report their complete message. Democrats need to seek opportunities for media appearances. And they need to stop acting as if the media are their friends and on their side. Even MSNBC often distorts progressive messages.
Above all, Democrats need to create situations in which the media must cover their messages. An example is the “impeachment inquiry” hearings that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to promises hold starting next week. The purpose of these hearings is not to remove Donald Trump from office. Instead, the goal is to force the media to broadcast Democratic messaging.