Moving forward by working smarter and not just harder
The following is a “stream of consciousness” reflections and suggestions concerning how to best move forward and work more strategically.
Determine WHO is amenable to persuasion.
Determine WHAT is the actual size of this population. Are we looking for the proverbial “needle in the haystack”?
HOW do we access that person?
WHAT is the best presentation for persuading?
HOW long will all this take? Consider cost-benefit, time/effort value analysis.
If we fall short concerning all of the above for a variety of reasons, then how do we motivate the existing base of support so we do not experience a repeated shortfall concerning turnout?
When outreaching to all the afore mentioned persons, maybe we should consider the following approach:
Ask what EXACTLY bothers them and what are they most passionate about. Focus on specificity and not generalities such as the quality of life, the economy in general, and the decline of moral/family values for which no person or political party can directly change. FYI, be prepared for their specific answers and prepare concrete responses/solutions.
Common responses by persons who are not fans of the Democratic party and opponents of progressive/liberal policies include the following:
Big government, over regulation, bureaucracy, wasteful spending, crime concerns and corruption/fraud. Hone in on specific examples and work to the greatest extent possible to address these concerns. Move from generalities and perceptions to actual solutions in tandem with the respondents’ concerns. In partnership with them, fix what can be fixed reminding them that you accomplished this together. There will still be persons who either despise Democrats or are lukewarm to Democrats even after all these specific, concrete efforts but presumably a dent will be made in the negative perception of Democrats.
Following this strategy, Democrats need to re-invent the Tammany Hall format of precinct politics (of course without the corruption) getting back to the bread & butter basics of political organizing. This household-by-household level of organizing needs to be done for a couple of years before the flurry of phone calls, emails and literature distribution campaigns occur just prior to the next election.
The perception, messaging shortfalls pertain to the following:
Democrats are soft on crime (this includes the border issue) and they’re wasteful spenders. This is where Democrats need to pivot to the tough-love, consequences-compassion messaging applied to specific, concrete, common sense situations.
For example: If their concern is migrants committing violent crime, deploy the following conversation:
Ask if they have met any violent criminal migrants? Has this happened in our jurisdiction and at what scale?
Agree that when such an incident occurs within our jurisdiction, pledge to accompany them to the courthouse and follow that trial to make sure that justice has been served. Concurrently ask them to pledge that they will accompany you to the courthouse and follow the case doing whatever is needed to make sure that ANY violent criminal (immigrant or native born) in our jurisdiction is brought to justice and the victim is appropriately compensated.
Shorter term strategy:
Every conversation with a Democrat should lead off with emphasis on personal accountability, consequences for crime, waste, fraud, violation of civil rights, specific injustices and real live examples of government overreach. This is establishment of the “tough” perception. It’s ok for Democrats to advocate “locking up violent criminals and throwing away the key”, taking away drivers licenses for repeat DUI offenders, repeated rage driving incidents, repeated street take over participants and slapping on ankle monitors to offenders for as long as it takes until it is determined that thru mandated therapy/counselling (the tough part of the love equation) affirms that the root causes of their anti-social behavior have been addressed. Mandated intensive therapy/counselling coupled with vigorous monitoring and supervision should be part of the lexicon of Democrats to get them out of the corner that Republicans have painted them into. Lastly and importantly, the tough-love model will not only break the perception mold for Democrats but it benefits those receiving the “tough-love”.
Longer term and ongoing strategy:
Democrats need to tap into the outrage concerning the following:
Commodification, speculation, price gouging, usurious financing and hollowing out of the middle class and working class
This includes:
Exorbitant…..student debt….housing prices…commodity price gouging…astronomic insurance costs, high deductibles and unaffordable health care
Democrats need to offer alternatives to outrageous student debt and unaffordable housing while tapping into the rage over monopolies and the feeling of helplessness by the middle class and particularly the working class.
Dunn Writes Well 