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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHouse Democratic PAC launches research campaign on working-class white voters
The goal of the project is to inject new ideas into the Democratic Partys policy conversation and try to spread them ahead of next years election.
By SCOTT BLAND 06/29/2017 03:34 PM EDT
House Majority PAC, the main Democratic super PAC involved in House races, has launched a major project studying white working-class voters ahead of the 2018 elections, looking to arrest Democratic losses with the key demographic.
The research is a sequel to an effort the super PAC ran in 2016, when it combined focus group interviews and a large-scale series of polls examining the views of whites without college degrees in key congressional districts.
The initial project informed House Majority PACs economic messaging in 2016 as well as its concerns about focusing on Donald Trump in some districts in last years House races. The follow-up reflects growing recognition among Democrats that their party cannot win back political power in Washington or many states without many more votes from whites without college degrees. Democrats are already targeting a number of affluent suburban House districts in the 2018 elections, but the House majority may still hinge on heavily white working-class districts where Trump performed well in 2016.
We have to make a broad economic appeal to working men and women across the country. HMP has been committed to this effort, House Majority PAC executive director Charlie Kelly said. We have the ability to make a real economic case this cycle, and our goal is to help focus back on economic issues that have traditionally been the hallmark of the Democratic Party.
For elections like next years, there are so many governors up. There are obviously all the House races and key Senate races, said United Steelworkers political director Tim Waters, one of several labor leaders supporting the House Majority PAC project. And if the Democratic Party doesnt get a different message, its going to go bad on them in a year when they should make gains.
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http://www.politico.com/story/2017/06/29/house-majority-democratic-pac-research-working-class-white-voters-240106
nikibatts
(2,198 posts)Trillo
(9,154 posts)and the zero-tolerance, compulsory paradigm which followed.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)thrown it in a pile, and lit a match...
rickford66
(5,528 posts)Raise minimum wage, single payer, progressive taxes, clean air and water, social safety nets .......
Spend the money showing how these ideals benefit everyone. Also, for a TV or internet ad, have someone speaking, no music. Not everyone can read those things, especially someone not interested. Hammer home a simple message, over and over.
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)Fantastic point. A trusting authoritative voice with simple memorable message is much more likely to have impact than some fluffy voice with reliance on visuals in the background. Last year we had all these stupid commercials with kids sitting in front of a TV set.
But I wouldn't focus on aspects like single payer. The block you are trying to reach won't know what that means and will be inclined to reject or ignore it. Describe to them how their taxes and daily bottom line are injured with Republicans in office, contrary to conventional wisdom.
The word conservative should be attacked. Make the supposed strength the weakness. I mock conservatism on sports message boards and they are so unaccustomed to it they become unhinged and don't know how to respond.
rickford66
(5,528 posts)You won't get the racist or far right fundies, but there has to be some for whom facts and logic will sink in.
Blaukraut
(5,693 posts)I'd rather they explore every avenue, even if they find a dead end. As long as the party doesn't abandon its values, it might not be a bad idea trying to figure out how to get that message across to the working class white voter.
Barack_America
(28,876 posts)I don't think that this "issue" takes a "research campaign".
Be plain-spoken, genuine, and hold no punches in delivering a populist platform.
Research campaign concluded. When do I get my check?