In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages - & trying to redefine...

[DonViejo]

In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages — and trying to redefine their party

By Michael Scherer May 12 at 5:59 PM

The future of the Democratic Party has been booking late-night TV gigs, waking up for morning drive-time radio and showing up at watering holes in rural counties to try out new material.

Before the start of a 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, at least 25 candidates — mayors, governors, entrepreneurs, members of the House and Senate — have hit the road to workshop their vision, experiment with catchphrases and test policy ideas that could keep President Trump from winning a second term.

Many deny that their actions have anything to do with a coming presidential run, but they unmistakably play off the chords of campaigns past, seeking a way to break through a political maw that has been focused more on the latest actions of the president and the coming midterm elections.

“I don’t want to speak to Democrats only,” says Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who recently appeared on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” to riff on the Founding Fathers’ vision of patriotism and love. “I’m talking to us as Americans, about how this is a moral moment.”

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/no-one-has-a-leg-up-in-wide-open-2020-presidential-field-democrats-jockey-to-define-their-party--and-gain-an-advantage/2018/05/12/42ba34f2-5547-11e8-9c91-7dab596e8252_story.html

[Squinch]

1. So sick of the Post's frequent insistence that the Democratic Party is "not defined."

It's just more of the bullshit that got us where we are, and it hurts more coming from them because they are the closest thing we have to an impartial major news source.

[still_one]

3. It isn't just the WP, they all follow the same script.

[Wwcd]

5. Truth is revealed in this yougov/The Economist poll:

In a May, 2018 YouGov/The Economist poll, only 11% of the voting age population thinks the Democratic Party is "not liberal enough." Ergo, 89% believe the Democratic Party & its leaders are exactly on the right course.

Not so much with the fringe left nor 3rd party populists.
This could explain why Our Revolution has not endorsed a winning candidate.
89% are not buying it any longer.

[procon]

2. Brand messaging is a skill, an artform that requires a professional marketing agency.

Given the snoozers that Democrats have used in the past, this is not an area that they have any expertise in. Instead of dumping such a vital task on politicians, the party should hire a top tier ad agency to design their slogan, run it through focus groups and then field test it to pick the best possible choice.

[Squinch]

6. I totally agree. It seems so basic but it just doesnt happen.

[procon]

7. Focus on the KISS maxim... Keep It Simple Stupid.

Taglines are positive and upbeat, they use a marketing tactic to "Sell the sizzle, not the steak", focusing on the benefits, not the features, of electing Democrats. The goal is get our brand message in the minds of voters so that even if they remember nothing else, they'll remember the catchy slogan.

Look at some of the most famous and successful mottos:

Kelloggs Frosties – They’re GReat
KFC – Finger Lickin’ Good
McDonalds – I’m Lovin’ It
Skittles – Taste the Rainbow
Red Bull – Gives You Wings!

Compared those to some political slogans and it's clear we need a professional intervention:

Reagan used a now familiar slogan "Let's Make America Great Again."
George W. Bush picked, "Yes, America Can!"
John Kerry, had "Let America be America Again."
Hillary Clinton used two slogans, "I'm With Her" and "Stronger Together."
John McCain went with, "Country First.
Obama had, "Change We Can Believe In."

[oberliner]

4. Typical Michael Scherer article

The Washington Post could benefit from getting a little more diverse.