Dean Supporters - Discussion on applying focus group

[mandyky]

information that played on CSpan last night?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=954948

was a thread with reaction

I have it taped and I am interested in brainstorming with other Dean folks about how he can hone his message to appeal better to folks like these.

Issues -

A lot of people are concerned about the Iraq War and the finanacial and other costs.

Financially things are not improving in Middle America. Lost jobs, specific plan from Dean on improving economy.

Education and healthcare.

Dean needs to do his foreign policy speech more often.

How can Dean come off as less abrasive? (Concern of one woman esp.)

More in a bit.

[liberalnurse]

1. Isn' it sad.....

we have to make an anouncement to discuss our candidate without road rage from Clark supporters.

[mandyky]

2. I'm sure we'll get some road rage

and not just from Clark folks. You know who I mean... ;)

[Skwmom]

3. I'd add one to that list.

How can you keep people from finding out that Dean is not the "straight-shooter" he and the corporate media have built him up to be? They praised Dean for sticking to his guns. How are they going to feel when Dean's continuous flip-flops on numerous issues are brought to light? Oh that's right - that won't happen until the general election so I guess we don't have to worry about that.

After watching that focus group I can only say that media propoganda is no longer a myth, it is reality.

[mandyky]

4. While I think Dean is a straight shooter

and disagree with you about him flipflopping (changing 8 year old opinions is not a flip flop), I agree Dean may want to be even more of a straight talker than I already see him as.

He needs to take a page from the John McCain playbook, and threaten to out all the lobbyists on the Hill that muck up Congress and bring us things like the ridiculous Madicare Bill just passed.

[polpilot]

7. I'll add another. What a Xmas gift to all democrats to have Dean leading

this party. Finally a candidate that has the Repubs trembling.

Dean '04...The NEW Democratic Leader of The NEW Democratic Party

[mandyky]

5. Watching the tape of this - blow by blow

on issues and concerns noted by the group, and I'll be adding how Dean might make his case better.

These people were from Ohio and Michigan.

Alan lawyer leans Clark (Ohio)
Karen resident support leader (Michigan)
Frank unemployment government employee (Ohio)
Ron automotive (Michigan)
Kim senior advocate (Michigan)
Jane postal worker (Ohio)
Jannel teacher (Ohio)
Marita social services (Ohio)
Barbara electrical engineer (Ohio)
Beryl CPA Ohio
Jim Ohio youth service
Ray medical college employee (elderly) Ohio

[askew]

9. Nice topic!

I think Dean's biggest focus should be getting his message out on the economy, healthcare and education. This group is like most of the people I talk to about politics, they are concerned about Iraq and terrorism, but it's not what they are going to vote on. Dean has already gotten their attention, he just needs to get his message out on these items. He should start talking about his background as a doctor. All of these individuals were impressed with Clark's smarts, but Dean is equally as smart. Bring up his past as a doctor would help on the healthcare front also.

Here is what I noticed about the people and their support for Dean:

Alan lawyer leans Clark (Ohio) - said he would vote for Dean if he was serious about using force when nec. as stated in foreign policy address. Concern was foreign policy. He also noted that all of the problems stemmed from Bush's fiscal policy.

Karen resident support leader (Michigan) - She seemed to be letting the press decide her view on Dean. This is where our letter writing and grassroots campaign should help.

Frank unemployment government employee (Ohio) - Didn't know enough about the candidates yet. Was concerned about economy, education and healthcare.

Ron automotive (Michigan) - He really wanted someone who understood everyday problems. Healthcare, economy were big issues. He had interest in Dean.

Kim senior advocate (Michigan) - She was really anti-establishment and seemed to like Dean.

Jane postal worker (Ohio) - She didn't like Clark's background and thinks the economy is improving. She stumped me.

Jannel teacher (Ohio) - She liked Dean, but needed to know more. Education was her main concern.

Marita social services (Ohio) - Liked Dean and was upset with the economy.

Barbara electrical engineer (Ohio) - Definitely the most anti-Dean. I think she may have been pro-war. She really liked Lieberman. This is where Dean's domestic issues will hopefully help. In her line of business, she may be seeing a lot of jobs going overseas also, so if Dean can address this issue it may help with more conservative, white-collar voters.

Beryl CPA Ohio - He is concerned about the economy and the deficit. He really liked Gephardt. Dean and Gep. are not that far apart on issues. It is just a matter of raising awareness of Dean being a fiscal conservative.

Jim Ohio youth service - He was pro-Dean, even at the end. He just liked Dean.

Ray medical college employee (elderly) Ohio - He said he was voting on Medicare/healthcare. There are a lot of seniors who will vote on this issue and it won't be for Bush. On this issue all of the democrats were against the bill, correct?

[readmylips]

6. This group all voted for jobs and the economy as the....

main problem we all face as Americans. Second, health care. The group, were equally divided in support of Dean and Clark.

[mandyky]

8. Dean needs to stress his experience as a doctor

This focus group sees him as a governor. Also, he needs to be a bit more personal, about his family, etc. Not have them in the campaign but mention them more, maybe. He needs to get his message out about balancing budgets and simplifying medicare and health insurance paperwork.

[mandyky]

10. Oh yeah, a lot of them mentioned division in the country

Dean needs to keep talking about healing our nation, forming community, etc. He also needs to stress pulling for the common person, not big business.

[poskonig]

11. The obvious way...

is to say "Bush is a nice guy, but I disagree with him on x, y, z." This is suicide in our primary so we won't see that for a while.

The family idea is a good suggestion. Bringing out ideas that are specific to Dean would also be useful. For example, when he talks about "prevention" and how the idea is applied in different areas of society and government -- it gives the campaign personality and likability. It isn't just about ideas -- they need to be packaged as well. Perhaps if Dean could get a general "theme" to his campaign so he isn't painted as the wedge issue candidate -- I remember Clinton running under the slogan which was something like "it is for a change" -- something similar would be useful for Dean. "Take your country back from the special interests" is a great start. Emphasizing what all Americans have in commmon is something they are doing nicely, though this needs to be "soundbited" better.

In general, though, I think Dean is doing a good job and would hesitate from messing with something that isn't broken.

[NashVegas]

12. Focus Groups Suck

Focus groups are the bane to the idea of a spontaneous thought or action ever happening.

Focus groups are responsible for watering down so many of the good things - and making the negative palatable.

Fuck 'em.

[Oreegone]

13. Abrasive??

Most people I talk to are happy there is someone who will speak their mind.

Most people are even more pissed and truly are abrasive unlike Dean who is clear and concise in stating his opinion.

Screw the focus group....I go with the if it ain't broke don't fix it....I am sure the campaign will get regular tuneups as the machine rolls on.

[mandyky]

14. I agree with you

But this group (many of them) take the media at their word, by their answers.