Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

global1

(25,168 posts)
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 12:57 PM Aug 2016

Saw This Buried In Another Thread And Thought I'd Elevate It To It's Own Post....

The Dems should begin an ad campaign through the rest of the run up to the November election that focuses on how the Repugs gridlocked Congress and wouldn't let anything of any substance go through. The Dems need to put the blame where it lies - on the backs of the Repugs. We need to make the American People understand the reason that things are as bad as they are - and of the importance of taking back the Senate and the House.

With Trump as the Repug standard bearer - and knowing the lack of support he is getting by rank and file Repugs - we have a golden opportunity here to capture not only the White House - but also the Senate and the House.

The Dems should start an all out campaign to accomplish this. Every Dem running for office - be it local, state or federal - needs to
ram this message through every opportunity they get. All of us Dems not running for office - needs to stress this same message to our families, friends and colleagues.

Let's not let this opportunity slip away.

57 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Saw This Buried In Another Thread And Thought I'd Elevate It To It's Own Post.... (Original Post) global1 Aug 2016 OP
K&R for visibility. Maybe identify the original poster, though. nt tblue37 Aug 2016 #1
We need to focus on the House and the Senate and turning them Dem StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #2
We need to focus on not spreading bullshit memes about HRC emulatorloo Aug 2016 #4
I prefer to let her record speak for itself etherealtruth Aug 2016 #6
Hillary says she is a progressive who gets things done. StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #8
the house will be early impossible due to gerrymandering :-( etherealtruth Aug 2016 #9
The gerrymandering is a problem that we need to work on long-term StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #13
Start at the state level: lastlib Aug 2016 #38
HOPE FOR THE BEST.... cynzke Aug 2016 #51
Thanks for clarification! emulatorloo Aug 2016 #17
Nice list. Thanks. riversedge Aug 2016 #32
Your list should be pinned riversedge Aug 2016 #33
"Or so she says." BlueCollar Aug 2016 #25
Had to go where? Where are you trying to steer? StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #27
Since several people had the same reaction to that dismissive phrase... Hekate Aug 2016 #28
Several, meaning two? One of which apologized to me already and thanked me for the clarification. StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #30
Instilling doubt is not the way to get Hillary elected. IMHO riversedge Aug 2016 #29
I completely agree. nt StrictlyRockers Aug 2016 #34
I don't understand why they have not already liberal N proud Aug 2016 #3
Dems have always been terrible at consistent messaging like this, even when they have such great Fast Walker 52 Aug 2016 #22
I've never seen/heard them run anything. And that's inexcusable ... Auggie Aug 2016 #36
Silver Platter shadowmayor Aug 2016 #5
This is also a problem when it comes to the right direction/wrong track polls. calimary Aug 2016 #10
You put your finger on it. Right/wrong not enough. They should ask WHY. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #12
I had exactly the same response when I was polled. I told the pollster Congress is the problem.... Hekate Aug 2016 #31
Yep. Sometimes you have to out-think them, strategically. calimary Aug 2016 #43
That is true! Very good point about the surveys lostnfound Aug 2016 #53
k&R volstork Aug 2016 #7
People loathe Congress and Republicans own Congress. Make them pay for obstruction. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2016 #11
I have to disagree with "Global" . . FairWinds Aug 2016 #14
That's not disagreement, just addition to the crimes. Panich52 Aug 2016 #16
Kind Of A Chicken Or Egg Thing - Which Came First.... global1 Aug 2016 #26
How many times did they vote to repeal Obamacare and replace it with nothing? TeamPooka Aug 2016 #15
The good ole GOP El Shaman Aug 2016 #39
I agree. On the other political site I frequent... TheDebbieDee Aug 2016 #18
It's an organically grown angle that the public already believes bucolic_frolic Aug 2016 #19
AND, might I add Doitnow Aug 2016 #20
I agree 100%! This is where the money needs to go. Protects on two fronts. nt glennward Aug 2016 #21
Extremely Important Point! LonghornJack Aug 2016 #23
Even Darrall Issa could be defeated this time but crickets from the DNC stuffmatters Aug 2016 #24
K & R thucythucy Aug 2016 #35
K&R n/t denbot Aug 2016 #37
Agree. Hissyspit Aug 2016 #40
Agree! Chemisse Aug 2016 #41
Progressive Dems can hammer this one home. I hope they will. TonyPDX Aug 2016 #42
Good idea. And we need to tar as many senate/house incombents as possible as Trumpists. paulkienitz Aug 2016 #44
I think Mitch McConnell saying that Scalia's replacement should be NRA approved... Initech Aug 2016 #45
I must say it's nice to have a site where you can hear rational people discuss the issues. YOHABLO Aug 2016 #46
eish I could rec this a million times. BlancheSplanchnik Aug 2016 #47
'End the gridlock. Move America forward.' lovemydog Aug 2016 #48
+1 uponit7771 Aug 2016 #52
Trump and the repubs say they are going to create jobs SheriffBob Aug 2016 #49
Agree! UCmeNdc Aug 2016 #50
Harry Truman did it. n/t ColesCountyDem Aug 2016 #54
Gridlock, why? Scarsdale Aug 2016 #55
I know how the R's will spin this Martin Eden Aug 2016 #56
And impress upon hour voters, we vote, we win. ffr Aug 2016 #57

StrictlyRockers

(3,854 posts)
2. We need to focus on the House and the Senate and turning them Dem
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:17 PM
Aug 2016

Then we can really get some things done! Hillary is a progressive who wants to get things done!

Or so she says..

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
4. We need to focus on not spreading bullshit memes about HRC
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:28 PM
Aug 2016

"Hillary is a progressive who wants to get things done! Or so she says."

You can falsely attack her character, insinuate she is a "Republican," "A Corporate Whore," "Monster" and all the baseless lies about her until you are blue in the face. They don't reflect her record of public service.

StrictlyRockers

(3,854 posts)
8. Hillary says she is a progressive who gets things done.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:52 PM
Aug 2016

I take her at her word.

I am very curious to see how much she can actually get done.

It will be much easier for her to get things done if we give her a Democratic Senate and House and don't waste our time mincing words and infighting about semantics and invented slights.

etherealtruth

(22,165 posts)
9. the house will be early impossible due to gerrymandering :-(
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:54 PM
Aug 2016

we need to get her t very least the senate and hoping a few more seats in the house (much harder and trickier)

StrictlyRockers

(3,854 posts)
13. The gerrymandering is a problem that we need to work on long-term
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:02 PM
Aug 2016

For sure it will make gaining a majority in the House very difficult. That doesn't mean we shouldn't aim for it.

Also, my understanding is that with the way gerrymandering works, once a more tectonic shift occurs in the electorate, a few more percentage points in our direction can push many, many districts into the Dem camp. Think about it. You can only divide the people up so many ways in order to get majority Republicans into lots of Congressional districts.

Once the shift comes, many of those districts which are configured so as to be barely Republican will ALL turn Democratic. It's my hope, at least, that Trump will have a large enough effect down-ballot that many of those districts will become blue, despite the best efforts of the state legislators who drew these crazy lines on a map to favor themselves.

lastlib

(22,981 posts)
38. Start at the state level:
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 04:18 PM
Aug 2016
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

This organization can help us turn state houses blue. It truly deserves support from all Dems, just as much as the top of the ticket.

cynzke

(1,254 posts)
51. HOPE FOR THE BEST....
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 07:51 AM
Aug 2016

But win at least by some! Gerrymandering works best by low turn out. If Democrats are stimulated to get out and vote, the volume can inhibit gerrymandering.

StrictlyRockers

(3,854 posts)
27. Had to go where? Where are you trying to steer?
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:22 PM
Aug 2016

I believe she's progressive. What are you trying to imply here?

I'm curious to see how much she will actually get done in office. She says she's a progressive who likes to get things done.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
28. Since several people had the same reaction to that dismissive phrase...
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:31 PM
Aug 2016

...i guess you could say your mission has been accomplished.

Or so some people would say.

StrictlyRockers

(3,854 posts)
30. Several, meaning two? One of which apologized to me already and thanked me for the clarification.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:33 PM
Aug 2016

Some people would say you're looking for something that does not exist.

liberal N proud

(60,302 posts)
3. I don't understand why they have not already
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:28 PM
Aug 2016

Unless they think it will have more impact closer to November.

 

Fast Walker 52

(7,723 posts)
22. Dems have always been terrible at consistent messaging like this, even when they have such great
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:49 PM
Aug 2016

material like Trump and the GOP. But maybe they have learned.

Auggie

(31,067 posts)
36. I've never seen/heard them run anything. And that's inexcusable ...
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:46 PM
Aug 2016

maybe they don't run in liberal California.

shadowmayor

(1,325 posts)
5. Silver Platter
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:33 PM
Aug 2016

Ugh - we democrats are expert at dropping the ball. This should be cause #1, but we don't want to hurt any poor repuke congress critters' feelings so instead let's look at some statistics or paragraph 3 of some policy that nobody is paying attention to, or gives two hoots about. Bush was AWOL? Don't look here folks. The war in Iraq was based on lies? Nah. McCain doesn't understand economics? No, let's all look at Palin. Romney killed how many jobs? Too tough to figure out? And in the off-election years, we go to sleep.

Congress had gridlocked the nation, and 3 or 4 Supreme Court nominations are on the table. Can't imagine why this isn't front and center?

calimary

(80,700 posts)
10. This is also a problem when it comes to the right direction/wrong track polls.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:57 PM
Aug 2016

You'll notice how it's NEVER followed by the question - WHY do you feel that way? There should be multiple-choice answers: Because of the President, because of the Congress, for example.

I once got called by the Gallup people in a random telephone survey. Land line, even though we have cell phones, too. They got to the "do you think the country's going in the right direction or has it veered off onto the wrong track?" I honestly think it's off on the wrong track because the CONS were busy doing everything they could to block everything and anything that President Obama brought up. But I suspected that the question was probably pegged to - who do we blame in the White House? So I said "right direction."

I think it'd be interesting to see - with that poll question skewing so strongly toward "off on the wrong track" (I think it's something like 70%), WHY people think things are going off track. I bet it's not merely because 70% of respondents supposedly hate the President.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
31. I had exactly the same response when I was polled. I told the pollster Congress is the problem....
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:33 PM
Aug 2016

....but since it was a binary question that would rebound on the president, I'm saying "right direction."

I find those polls excruciatingly shallow.

lostnfound

(16,138 posts)
53. That is true! Very good point about the surveys
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 08:05 AM
Aug 2016

"Who do you blame?" And "Who do you blame the MOST?"

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,789 posts)
11. People loathe Congress and Republicans own Congress. Make them pay for obstruction.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 01:59 PM
Aug 2016

While we're at it, let's win the House too!

 

FairWinds

(1,717 posts)
14. I have to disagree with "Global" . .
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:05 PM
Aug 2016

It is NOT a question of GOP-created gridlock or obstruction.

It is rather a question of deliberate GOP sabotage of vital
American institutions such as the Postal Service, Social Security,
Medicare, K-12 public education, and much more.

All of this is easily proven; many GOPPERs even brag about it.

THIS IS WHAT THE DEMS need to push.

Will they?

Panich52

(5,829 posts)
16. That's not disagreement, just addition to the crimes.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:24 PM
Aug 2016

Remember, the day after PBO was elected in 08, Repubs had meeting where they pledged to block his every move — the final assault on our social democratic republic after 20-30 years of trying to kill programs you mentioned.

global1

(25,168 posts)
26. Kind Of A Chicken Or Egg Thing - Which Came First....
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 03:14 PM
Aug 2016

the sabotage or the obstruction or gerrymandering?

 

TheDebbieDee

(11,119 posts)
18. I agree. On the other political site I frequent...
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:42 PM
Aug 2016

Several right-leaning posters have been convinced that it was Democrats and President Obama that caused the shut down of the government in the fall of 2013. They insist that it was because Pres O wouldn't sign the budget because he refused to de-fund Planned Parenthood!

I tell you, these do-gooder hackers should concentrate on blocking Fox News Channel transmissions for the good of the country and the world!

bucolic_frolic

(42,676 posts)
19. It's an organically grown angle that the public already believes
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:45 PM
Aug 2016

Obstructing Judge Garland may be the way they lead this

By organically grown I mean grassroots and growing from common folks' minds

Obvious to anyone who isn't biased

Doitnow

(1,103 posts)
20. AND, might I add
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:46 PM
Aug 2016

Dems should stress how the more progressive Democrats have been winning seats. Apparently they are more mainstream than we are led to believe.

LonghornJack

(136 posts)
23. Extremely Important Point!
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:51 PM
Aug 2016

Global1, you are right on!

To be honest, I'm just baffled that the DNC has not brought this up in the last few election cycles! I can still recall McConnell's blatant statement: "Our number one priority is to deny Barack Obama a second term." Can't be any more obvious than that! His plan was to scuttle Obama's legislative plans, let the county sink into ruin, and then blame Obama for the mess. It worked.

How did we let them get away with it?

We need to remind the public repeatedly during this election. I hope someone within the Dem organization picks up on this. May if DUers keep bringing this up.....

Good work, Global1.

LHJ

stuffmatters

(2,574 posts)
24. Even Darrall Issa could be defeated this time but crickets from the DNC
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 02:56 PM
Aug 2016

I have been frustrated forever at the Dems, including Obama's, refusal to place blame with the Repubs. Per Obama the obstruction has always been "Congress" not the Republican Congress. If he'd been laying the blame where it belonged it would certainly have
given every Repub in Congress a more difficult track (voting) record to weasel away from in the public's mind. Certainly the MSMfailed from day one to do it, even after the "plot" was disclosed that the Repub Party hatched this self serving, Party Of Obstruction Plan the night Obama was sworn in..

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was a disaster for our Party and the continuation of Dean's 50 State Strategy. She even promoted Republicans over Liberal Dems. Who is running the DNC now? Why are there not even national ads re: Trump saying: Trump is not different from your Republican Senator or House Rep, he's just louder. Then Show clips of Trump saying his hideous stuff and show clips locally of that senator or House Rep saying same, like "delay,delay,delay" and ex. Kevin McCarthy saying same and "women should be punished for abortions"and ex. Rubio "no abortions for women who carry Zika babies" like that...

Darrell Issa is one of the most entrenched and odious members of Congress. He is facing a Dem opponent (retired military and bluntly liberal) who could defeat him if he had some financial backing and exposure. Issa was one of the first to embrace Trump. His district has grown much in liberal and Hispanic registration. A knowledgeable and efficient DNC would recognize now they have the opportunity to get rid of Issa, but nothing.

Issa is just a sickening example, there is no infrastructure nationally or locally by the Dem Party to run a campaign against the Republican Party. Making this simply a race between Hillary vs Trump is just appallingly stupid. This is the time to make this a race between a party of racism, profits over people, pollution, creationism, sexism, the worst of the failures of the past vs the Democratic Party and the future of our children and grandchildren.


Republicans made "Liberal" into a short hand slur. Time for Democrats to make "Republican" a term of the disgrace it deserves..
If not now, when?

Chemisse

(30,793 posts)
41. Agree!
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 07:57 PM
Aug 2016

We really need to go after those down-ticket races. The Republicans are directly responsible for the gridlock and the government shutdowns, and now is the time people have a chance to change it.

TonyPDX

(962 posts)
42. Progressive Dems can hammer this one home. I hope they will.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 08:13 PM
Aug 2016

Blue Dogs (yes, they're still with us) will keep their lips sealed.

Initech

(99,915 posts)
45. I think Mitch McConnell saying that Scalia's replacement should be NRA approved...
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 10:43 PM
Aug 2016

Needs to be brought into the spotlight. This is seriously a step too far. If we let the supreme law of the land be decided by lunatic fringe groups like the NRA, it's game over.

 

YOHABLO

(7,358 posts)
46. I must say it's nice to have a site where you can hear rational people discuss the issues.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 10:43 PM
Aug 2016

Of course the Republican's priority, since Obama was elected, was to obstruct any of the legislation that he or the Dems put forth during his tenure as President. They work for corporations and for the ultra rich. Republicans often use the phrase ''take this country back''. Well they've lived up to that and taken us back to the 1950s minus the economy and tax rates for the super wealthy. Obama has to be commended for a job well done; especially in the face of such blatant obstructionism. I will be voting a straight Dem ticket as I always have. I have never, never voted for a Republican nor have I ever been member of that hateful party.

BlancheSplanchnik

(20,219 posts)
47. eish I could rec this a million times.
Sun Aug 7, 2016, 11:18 PM
Aug 2016

Please SOMEONE---make ads. Show who participated. Show them and identify each Senator and each house rep. Run the ads EVERYWHERE.

SheriffBob

(552 posts)
49. Trump and the repubs say they are going to create jobs
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 07:30 AM
Aug 2016

for the blue collar workers.

Let me remind everyone that The the repubs destroyed the unions in this country.

Look at all the, so called, "right to work" laws they have passed.

The repub godfather, reagan, started the war on unions.

They have always opposed raising minimum wage.

They have stolen the power of the people and and transferred it to corporations.

They have taken peoples' voting rights.

Their real platform consists of dividing the country by using coded racism, lies, and fear mongering.
















Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
55. Gridlock, why?
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 08:43 AM
Aug 2016

Publich their calendar, too. It shows 4 day weekends, weeks off and the few days they actually worked.

Martin Eden

(12,803 posts)
56. I know how the R's will spin this
Mon Aug 8, 2016, 10:49 AM
Aug 2016

They will say that the economic recovery since the great recession would not have happened if there wasn't a Republican Congress in place to block Obama from pushing through his socialist agenda. They will continue to point to "Obamacare" (legislation enacted when the Dems controlled Congress) as an expensive failure.

It doesn't matter if any of this is true. They will hammer away at that message and a significant chunk of voters will buy it.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»Saw This Buried In Anothe...