Oh goodness help us. In preparation for 2016, Democrats are taking another stab at their messaging strategy, led by none other than
Dr. Doom himself, Rep. Steve Israel. Lauren French
reports:
“The criticism of Democrats is that we have no message. That’s wrong. The problem is we have too many messages,” Israel said. “What we’ll be doing in August is trying to crystallize several key messages."
Au contraire, Steve. Your message was crystal clear in 2014, and it was
dismal.
The Democrats are reportedly hiring 20 new staffers to research and organize in swing districts held by Republicans and produce a more coordinated effort between the DNC and state Democratic lawmakers who might be in charge of redistricting come 2020. That potentially sounds promising. But this, less so.
Democrats will focus on one issue area per week in August, looking to hone the party’s message on voting rights, immigration reform, the Highway Trust Fund, college affordability and dysfunction in Washington.
Notably absent from the agenda are the most progressive policies, such as paycheck fairness and wage inequality that Democrats relied on during the 2014 midterm elections. In the memo prepared by Israel’s office, which was obtained by POLITICO, the Democrat cited polls that found moderate voters — a bloc Democrats need to energize if they want recoup the nearly 70 House seats they’ve lost since 2008 — largely favor candidates who focus on “economic growth” over “income inequality.”
Perfect. Forget about the fact that your Democratic nominee is likely to be one of two people—Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders—who are perhaps best situated to make the case for paycheck fairness and income inequality, respectively. Meh. Why try to energize and empower female voters with an issue on which Hillary can take it straight to Republicans? Why try to inspire the 99 percent who are currently turning out by the thousands even in places like
Arizona and
Louisiana to hear Bernie speak?
Here's hoping Democrats don't miss the opportunity to capitalize on the strengths of the candidate who ends up leading the 2016 charge.