I run a small grassroots messaging project in Alabama, not for a candidate, but for the community. I try to explain what’s happening in the world (or just in our small corner of it) in ways that feel real and human.
Everything in this post reinforces what I’ve learned while doing this project: people respond to values, to real-world consequences, and to someone willing to talk to them without talking down.
We focus on local politics and how national policies hit home here, especially in rural or working-class communities, and we try to give people the actual language to talk about those issues.
I don’t have a budget or a flashy brand. I just use an old Gmail account, a lot of Canva files, social media accounts on every platform I can think of, and a belief that people deserve to understand what’s being done in their name.
Appreciate the clarity here. It will help sharpen what I’m building.
Sharon, thank you so much for sharing this. I just got around to reading it thru thoroughly.
I really like your use of “Partnership for America’s Future. That framing invites people in, rather than shutting them out. It stresses what we can do together instead of just what’s broken. That’s so needed right now.
Unmute Alabama is a very small project that tries to give people a way to talk about issues with clarity and values. What I’m learning is that the message matters, but the delivery system matters just as much.
How do we get more people, influencers and non-influencers, to pick up these ideas and carry them into conversations with their neighbors, families, and co-workers?
That’s the challenge I’m wrestling with. Thank you for your thoughtful piece. We need the right framing - and we need to figure out how to get people to use it.
Relating back to some of my earlier comments, I believe that local messaging can remain in line with national talking points; otherwise, it would render seeking a national platform meaningless. A Dem's command of how that translates locally, is essential. More importantly, how they engage with their communities to relay that information and how they, in turn, seek out their input to affect what happens locally, in the states, or in D.C. is essential. Talking points, in this regard, provides a throughline on messaging, but they shouldn't be used in such a way that they become platitudes.
For example, if an organization or business receives federal or state funding resulting from Dem policy objectives -- which creates jobs, construction, or services in district -- these acheivements should be woven into the messaging. They can also talk about the fed funds fixing the 4th Street bridge that they pursued for their contituents.
As I see it, there's no one mold on how members should present themselves. I enjoy Crocket, Schiff, Booker, AOC, Sanders, Waters, Murphy, and Raskins for their delivery and their knowledge.They all have a knack at turning a phrase and because of this, I wouldn't want to become to prescriptive on styles. The problem is that you might run the risk of sounding condescending to voters and constituents if you take that approach.
I believe that most working people are looking for authenticity from straight shooters. Someone that will give them the 411, tell them next steps and ask them for their insights.
As I see it, current Republican messaging is off because it's becoming more nationalized in nature. This top down approach has become a significant reversal from the states rights, parents rights, local governance messaging that's been relied upon. Folks are seeing the increased centralization of the decision making process and the loss of local jobs, businesses and services as a result. I think that that should be emphasized in addition to being introspective.
Lastly, the Dems are a big tent outfit. Always has been, always will be. However, we also need a functioning 'loyal opposition' that is grounded in shared facts and that are seeking solutions for Americans. For those that break free and want to work across the aisle, that is welcome but in my opinion our focus should be on strengthening our institutions and laws to deliver for the American people.
Thanks for continuing to follow and engage with our project. We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters to help inform future policies.
I think that U.S. farmers should be up in arms that rich South African farmers are being imported to do what...farm. This is particularly rich when our farmers are on the brink of struggling.
Yes, the disparities in treatment amongst refugees should be highlighted, but the competition the SA farmers represent to U.S. farmers is the money argument. Talk about a working class constituency that needs to be appealed to. This is the time to make those survey inquiries and target messaging.
We need an actual practical SPECIFIC plan incorporating these ideas of how we will implement life change for the working class. Where is that and who will create it?? Call it something like the "911 Plan." It should have very specific interventions that would actually radically change people's lives (immediate sizeable increase in minimum wage, universal Healthcare for all, immediate significant raise for teachers/emergency responders/police/firemen etc, and whatever else would help working class folks immediately...just ideas
I'm starting to reach out to organizations and individuals that can help spread the word. I'm looking for someone to underwrite my work (I need to pay bills too) so everything I've done can be free to organizations like yours and democratic candidates.
Voters see two sided politicians. One side talks about work they are doing for a local problem. The other side votes for bills that enrich themselves or hand over more power to the opposition.
Bipartisanship meant something very different decades ago, when the other side wanted to BUILD a common good for people. Newt and McConnell destroyed that. Now we have elected democrats who keep moving further right because PACs will undermine them with attack ads and fear mongering. A bunch profit off their positions and end up looking equally corrupt.
They lost what being a democrat stands for; equal job opportunity, a livable wage and regional understanding of how to build and invest for stronger growth. FDR (at the end) wanted a Second Economic Bill of Rights. Where corporations profiting do not hurt people and communities. Everyone deserves a roof over their head and not fear that getting sick will wipe out your savings. Especially in a country with over 800 billionaires who got rich because of our labor, let alone those who avoid paying their taxes. We generate over $4 trillion in tax collection but fight ghost wars and build new nuclear warheads.
Democrats had over 74 million people vote for their nominee, the rest wanted to scapegoat immigrants for jobs changing, communities needing investment but getting none, and to watch politics like it’s a Roman Coliseum. To keep those voters they just need to highlight everything being destroyed and livelihoods being made worse and more unequal.
Many Dems may not support my position, but I would like to share it as a part of the working class messaging campaign.
With Biden's reinsertion into the national dialogue, I would recommend that Dems take the opportunity to highlight Biden's record, most importantly, because they are Dem wins. Dems should want to relitigate his job record because if it were bad, Trmp wouldn't be rebranding it. And, emphasize that playing the blame game doesn't help us resolve today's self-inflicted economic wounds. If anything, Biden's desire to remain through to the general election is exactly because he understood what we would face in a second Trmp term. To state it further, that he was more concerned for us and not letting the American people down, than his own welfare. And, that the probability of maintaining the ticket as the incumbency, outweighed the prospects of losing the seat with an unknown and untested candidate. (For example: If the VP was questioned for not being known by the electorate, who would have faired any better?)
The Framework I Would Recommend for Media Messaging
Use phrasing such as "On his worst day he achieved ...... as opposed to MAGA leading us into .... On his best day he achieved...." (Plug in Biden accomplishments and Trmp policies.)
(Don't allow the Biden negative perceptions to become associative with Dems present efforts. Recast the narrative.)
When they talk about Covid, ask the question, "So, how many more people should he have let die before taking action (pregnant pause)? The U.S. was not alone in this. Governments around the world were taking preventative measures. And let's face it, it's the reason you and I can stand/sit here today, go to a concert and meet friends for lunch."
Use this phrasing and talking point, "If Kamala were president right now, we'd all be at brunch ... buying cheap eggs and [gas, strollers, TVs, etc] . Remember she promised an initiative on price gouging, new housing, a voting rights bill and bipartisan immigration reform. Oh, to be back there.... "
I run a small grassroots messaging project in Alabama, not for a candidate, but for the community. I try to explain what’s happening in the world (or just in our small corner of it) in ways that feel real and human.
Everything in this post reinforces what I’ve learned while doing this project: people respond to values, to real-world consequences, and to someone willing to talk to them without talking down.
We focus on local politics and how national policies hit home here, especially in rural or working-class communities, and we try to give people the actual language to talk about those issues.
I don’t have a budget or a flashy brand. I just use an old Gmail account, a lot of Canva files, social media accounts on every platform I can think of, and a belief that people deserve to understand what’s being done in their name.
Appreciate the clarity here. It will help sharpen what I’m building.
Thanks for your comment. We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters.
Does this hit the spot, https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/elections-advice-to-anyone-willing
Sharon, thank you so much for sharing this. I just got around to reading it thru thoroughly.
I really like your use of “Partnership for America’s Future. That framing invites people in, rather than shutting them out. It stresses what we can do together instead of just what’s broken. That’s so needed right now.
Unmute Alabama is a very small project that tries to give people a way to talk about issues with clarity and values. What I’m learning is that the message matters, but the delivery system matters just as much.
How do we get more people, influencers and non-influencers, to pick up these ideas and carry them into conversations with their neighbors, families, and co-workers?
That’s the challenge I’m wrestling with. Thank you for your thoughtful piece. We need the right framing - and we need to figure out how to get people to use it.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. Go to my substack and I think you'll find more helpful information there. https://open.substack.com/pub/sharonlawrence/p/governing-put-pedal-to-the-metal?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=a5esd
Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is my rep and voted yes on the SAVE act. Did you tell them that? We are trying to get another dem up here.
Thanks for your comment, Tracy! We only showed the participants the video of Rep. Marie Glusenkamp Perez.
Relating back to some of my earlier comments, I believe that local messaging can remain in line with national talking points; otherwise, it would render seeking a national platform meaningless. A Dem's command of how that translates locally, is essential. More importantly, how they engage with their communities to relay that information and how they, in turn, seek out their input to affect what happens locally, in the states, or in D.C. is essential. Talking points, in this regard, provides a throughline on messaging, but they shouldn't be used in such a way that they become platitudes.
For example, if an organization or business receives federal or state funding resulting from Dem policy objectives -- which creates jobs, construction, or services in district -- these acheivements should be woven into the messaging. They can also talk about the fed funds fixing the 4th Street bridge that they pursued for their contituents.
As I see it, there's no one mold on how members should present themselves. I enjoy Crocket, Schiff, Booker, AOC, Sanders, Waters, Murphy, and Raskins for their delivery and their knowledge.They all have a knack at turning a phrase and because of this, I wouldn't want to become to prescriptive on styles. The problem is that you might run the risk of sounding condescending to voters and constituents if you take that approach.
I believe that most working people are looking for authenticity from straight shooters. Someone that will give them the 411, tell them next steps and ask them for their insights.
As I see it, current Republican messaging is off because it's becoming more nationalized in nature. This top down approach has become a significant reversal from the states rights, parents rights, local governance messaging that's been relied upon. Folks are seeing the increased centralization of the decision making process and the loss of local jobs, businesses and services as a result. I think that that should be emphasized in addition to being introspective.
Lastly, the Dems are a big tent outfit. Always has been, always will be. However, we also need a functioning 'loyal opposition' that is grounded in shared facts and that are seeking solutions for Americans. For those that break free and want to work across the aisle, that is welcome but in my opinion our focus should be on strengthening our institutions and laws to deliver for the American people.
Thanks for continuing to follow and engage with our project. We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters to help inform future policies.
I think that U.S. farmers should be up in arms that rich South African farmers are being imported to do what...farm. This is particularly rich when our farmers are on the brink of struggling.
Yes, the disparities in treatment amongst refugees should be highlighted, but the competition the SA farmers represent to U.S. farmers is the money argument. Talk about a working class constituency that needs to be appealed to. This is the time to make those survey inquiries and target messaging.
We need an actual practical SPECIFIC plan incorporating these ideas of how we will implement life change for the working class. Where is that and who will create it?? Call it something like the "911 Plan." It should have very specific interventions that would actually radically change people's lives (immediate sizeable increase in minimum wage, universal Healthcare for all, immediate significant raise for teachers/emergency responders/police/firemen etc, and whatever else would help working class folks immediately...just ideas
Thanks for your suggestion! We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters.
You are not gonna get that now.
P.S. I have a friend who is a pretty serious conservative Republican. He really liked this too so I think the message is hitting the right tone.
I'm starting to reach out to organizations and individuals that can help spread the word. I'm looking for someone to underwrite my work (I need to pay bills too) so everything I've done can be free to organizations like yours and democratic candidates.
Voters see two sided politicians. One side talks about work they are doing for a local problem. The other side votes for bills that enrich themselves or hand over more power to the opposition.
Bipartisanship meant something very different decades ago, when the other side wanted to BUILD a common good for people. Newt and McConnell destroyed that. Now we have elected democrats who keep moving further right because PACs will undermine them with attack ads and fear mongering. A bunch profit off their positions and end up looking equally corrupt.
They lost what being a democrat stands for; equal job opportunity, a livable wage and regional understanding of how to build and invest for stronger growth. FDR (at the end) wanted a Second Economic Bill of Rights. Where corporations profiting do not hurt people and communities. Everyone deserves a roof over their head and not fear that getting sick will wipe out your savings. Especially in a country with over 800 billionaires who got rich because of our labor, let alone those who avoid paying their taxes. We generate over $4 trillion in tax collection but fight ghost wars and build new nuclear warheads.
Democrats had over 74 million people vote for their nominee, the rest wanted to scapegoat immigrants for jobs changing, communities needing investment but getting none, and to watch politics like it’s a Roman Coliseum. To keep those voters they just need to highlight everything being destroyed and livelihoods being made worse and more unequal.
Many Dems may not support my position, but I would like to share it as a part of the working class messaging campaign.
With Biden's reinsertion into the national dialogue, I would recommend that Dems take the opportunity to highlight Biden's record, most importantly, because they are Dem wins. Dems should want to relitigate his job record because if it were bad, Trmp wouldn't be rebranding it. And, emphasize that playing the blame game doesn't help us resolve today's self-inflicted economic wounds. If anything, Biden's desire to remain through to the general election is exactly because he understood what we would face in a second Trmp term. To state it further, that he was more concerned for us and not letting the American people down, than his own welfare. And, that the probability of maintaining the ticket as the incumbency, outweighed the prospects of losing the seat with an unknown and untested candidate. (For example: If the VP was questioned for not being known by the electorate, who would have faired any better?)
The Framework I Would Recommend for Media Messaging
Use phrasing such as "On his worst day he achieved ...... as opposed to MAGA leading us into .... On his best day he achieved...." (Plug in Biden accomplishments and Trmp policies.)
(Don't allow the Biden negative perceptions to become associative with Dems present efforts. Recast the narrative.)
When they talk about Covid, ask the question, "So, how many more people should he have let die before taking action (pregnant pause)? The U.S. was not alone in this. Governments around the world were taking preventative measures. And let's face it, it's the reason you and I can stand/sit here today, go to a concert and meet friends for lunch."
Use this phrasing and talking point, "If Kamala were president right now, we'd all be at brunch ... buying cheap eggs and [gas, strollers, TVs, etc] . Remember she promised an initiative on price gouging, new housing, a voting rights bill and bipartisan immigration reform. Oh, to be back there.... "
(Make them think about what they could have had.)
Thank you for your perspective! We hope you keep following along to learn more about this project.