I’m not a political messaging expert, I just fantasize about being one. In those fantasies, I am in an office with Democratic Party consultants and giving them this advice:
1) Never use the word “inflation” without preceding it with the word “global.” That is, Democrats should refer to inflation as global inflation. Why? Well first, it’s a correct phrase to use: current inflation pressures are a global phenomenon and the consequence of the COVID pandemic, the war against Ukraine, and other world-wide factors.
I have seem some pundits refer to our current inflation as “Bidenflation.” Democrats need to make it clear that inflation is not Biden’s fault, it’s something that’s happening all over the world. It’s not his fault, although his actions to combat it are certainly fair game to discuss.
2) No brainer here: the Democrats need to brand the GOP as the anti-police, anti-law-and-order party. The fact that this isn't happening astounds me.
Every public pronouncement by a GOP official who has shown sympathy for the anti-police Jan. 6 rioters should be captured, put into an ad, and widely publicized. GOP extremists who call for defunding the FBI should be highlighted, along with, for example, the attack on the FBI office in Cincinnati. Make them pay for this incite-full rhetoric.
3) The ascent of Trump election deniers needs to trumpeted as an attack on anti-Trump votes and voters. People need to be made to understand: the message of the deniers is, your vote doesn’t matter, and it won’t matter, if the deniers take control of the government.
These deniers need to characterized as sore losers who, because they can’t win fair and square, will deny the votes of people who don’t think like they do.
How about a commercial like this: “You voted against Trump. You believe your vote matters. Now sore loser Republicans are creating schemes to take away your vote, like using fake electors and other tactics. The only way they can win is by making it so your vote won’t be counted. Don’t let them take your vote away.”
This should be a big time talking point, and I believe it will resonate with a good number of independent voters if done properly.
4) The Democrats need to create a reason versus rage narrative; how, I don't exactly know. But clearly, there is an anger and hostility among devout Republicans that is scary to a lot of Americans, as well it should be.
The Democrats need to say, “we are the not the party of weirdos, extremists, and fire-breathers… we are the party of common sense, common values, and the common good… we don't see red, we see unity and a return to normalcy.”
I don’t know the right words to use, but I hope somebody can figure it out and use that as a theme in Democratic messaging.