Instead we got things like AOC getting the names of others involved in insurance fraud and establishing a legislative need for Congress to see Trump's tax returns (which is required to get past the courts). Dems stayed focused.

The Republicans were flailing and embarrassed. There was almost no need to counter them.

There is always, always the need to counter them. Not doing so lets them control the narrative. We tried the "don't need to counter them" strategy with Kerry. You know how that turned out.

They say something outrageous, we defend, and it's all about their negativity. They have nothing positive to offer. Look how they always go after the person, not the issue.

The Dems did what the Republicans want.

The Republican PR strategy is to persuade Dems they shouldn’t fight; that they shouldn’t argue with emotion. Don’t help them. Dems should be strong, and clear in the media.

and finally that Committee is doing it's business.

We are civil, and really do work according to the rules. Elijah Cummings is going to do nothing else.

Living in the midwest outside of cities like Indy and Cleveland and Springfield...I'm telling you, we didn't bring enough to counter their bullshit. Again, I'm not trying to put down what they did today ellen. Seriously. But it's my opinion they brought ladyfingers to counter M80's with regard to how this is going to be viewed by the general american public. We have to learn to be as cutthroat as these fuckers. I'm in no way saying that we need to lie or stoop to their level. But if you think we contradicted what their point was, that his testimony couldn't be believed, I humbly invite you to a local blue collar bar lunch in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Penn, Wisconsin, Missourri....

Bring a machine gun to a knife fight. Bring a nuke to a machine gun fight. Fuck civility. I
Again, not saying we have to stoop to their levels. But we gotta call bullshit at every turn. That's what'll turn hearts and minds.

For example, the Dems should be calling out in every interview, every appearance, that the only major legislation the GOP passed was tax cuts for the rich. At the cost of 2 trillion to the national debt. That should be on the lips of every Dem politician on tv until the election.

We have a serious problem with messaging....

We do have a serious problem with messaging.

<sarcasm>

I don’t think Dems are infallible, but they had a good day.

They had a good day with liberal political junkies like us. No doubt.

But once you filter us out, was it? The programmable consrve-a-bots that watch FOX saw the exact opposite. The politically ignorant "independents" once informed by the "both sides" media? Yeah, not as sure as you are.

We are reaching people who are repelled by Trump and the antics of the Jordans and the Meadows.

Have you already forgotten the midterms?

But in my part of the country, I'm not sure we reached the regular independents either. And it's my part of the country where we lost the election.

That was not a fluke.

If Trump wasn't president, never would have happened. Just my humble opinion.

Loved it since I was knee high to a grasshopper!

Wanting to cheer you up a little. We will prevail.

Don't misunderstand me. I think they did a fantastic job. Sincerely. I mean that. I just feel as if they did a fantastic job circa 1985. Not 2019. Politics has changed drastically. With the media so ready to both sides everything, they've gotta pull the switchblade before the GOP gets off the stool. That's the only way to get through the din of the media we have and to reach the voting public that is oblivious, dig? I'm not bashing.

Especially the media analysis part. And Dems do need to be tough.

Tis why I hang here!

Link to tweet

I was surprised that Cohen didn't have anything really embarrassing to drop on his boss. And most of what he said was stuff we already knew or had strong suspicions about.

The few things that were new (the Roger Stone -Julian Assange call) I am sure is stuff Mueller already knew about, and therefore there was no danger in disclosing that. In fact, it might be advantageous from a perspective of playing the press to let that drip out now among all the other stuff.

If he lies to Congress again his whole plea deal is off.

There has been a ton of disinformation and lying about Team Trump in the past few years. But what Cohen said today is about as good as it gets for truth.

If there is a pardon at the ready should he be caught again.

engaged in a felony.

there will be a shitload of court action from here on out. But then, that is why Mitchy McConnell is busy packing the courts. So, right may be on the Dems side but, yeah, a knife hidden in the boot wouldn't hurt.

Thank you. You’re exactly right.



(More detail: what the Dems did today is a communication style that works for educated, highly informed people. But the goal now isn’t to reach those people- it’s to reach the brainwashed conservative base. And for that, you need the communication strategy you described.)

You put in 2 sentences what I was trying to say in a dozen paragraphs!

Which is partly why we are here.

Depressed as hell right now.

Dems need a better PR strategy. But we’ve known that for 30 years. They’re getting better.
Rep Omars questioning of Elliott Abrams a few weeks ago is progress.

But, as I said, the democracy is hanging in the balance. Getting better isn't what we need right now. What we need is taking no fucking prisoners, dig?

If it's just you n me? Shit. We could rule the world baby!

And thanks, I was hanging my ass out here for my own truth and what i feel is the good of the party.

About 1/2 way through ... dude that looks a bit like JK Simmons?

What HE did when his turn started ... THAT got me pumped. That was what I wanted to see WAY more of.

I was frustrated a lot of the time, man.

I did miss some. I'll admit. But damn man. We just don't have the will to go after them with a razor blade in the cheek. Dig? They bring a shiv to every one of these hearings. We've got to start bring pillow cases filled with cans of soda. Period.

Damn that Sailor Jerry!

Guess I better fix it, huh? Tanks bradda!

It was a good post! Cheers!

Funnin or not, I appreciate you letting me know I looked like an idiot.

them before they get out of their seats. In a fight like this you cannot be polite. Our messaging needs to be more visceral. Speak with emotion.

Love this place cause folks can take my thoughts and take it further than me! Thanks!

This post should be the epitome of the Dem party and how I feel we as a party mishandled so many things along the way.
The whole post I re-read 4 times to make sure and I agreed with Glam, before I made this post.

I love what the Dems did today, Asked pointed questions about pointed issues, while our "buds" across the aisle just absolutely trashed one of their own from a short time ago. The only thing I disagreed with is that the Dems didn't do enough,,Maybe in the 80s,this would be good.

My take on what happened today was the ReThugs brought their normal weapon to the fight,,, As Dems,,we have learned how to let them kill themselves with their own weapon, aka "Hunt for Red October"

There are times to sit back and let your adversaries make mistakes,, that is how most wars were won.

I think our party won today and maybe in 80s way, by just letting them kill themselves. That is what we may have learned.

There is always a solution other than ,bigger weapon which will equal bigger carnage.

Respectfully

Koz

We just get tired of the negativity.

When they first started talking about this convicted liar and how his testimony wasn't plausible, that shit should have been shut down immediately by bringing up the Archie Bunker Billionaire's plausibility. The first time a GOP meatbag had the fucking temerity to bring up "doing for the American People", Benghazi and the seven GOP investigations and the cost of those investigations should have been thrown in their face. When border security was brought up, someone should have stood up and given the poll numbers of what the support for that ridiculous fiasco was.