Working class voters have gone from cautiously supportive to more anxious and concerned by the costs of Trump’s tariffs over the past 3 months. So what should Democrats do?
The tariff issue is compelling and primed for discourse; so, yes I agree.
I would appeal for a unified framework for messaging based on the 2020 DNC/Biden platform with tariff stats and talking points refined by economic subject matter experts.
A talking point sheet could be developed: including, maybe, a 5 Step Plan on how dems would reverse the tariff uncertainty; speak to the administration's reckless approach to negotiations while dismantling NAFTA/USMCA, WTO and TTP: putting us in future trade jeopardy; explain the industries where jobs will be, and the efforts to upskill existing workers; and expand opportunities for new workers entering the workforce. This could then be tailored to the facts, circumstances and opportunities statewide, district wide and locally by candidates. That's my two cents.
On another note, I wanted to mention that the Dems may have been handed an opportunity by the Reps with their policy repositioning on a wealth tax and eliminating the carried interest for VCs. Depending on what they deliver, or not, you've got them agreeing to a new tax bracket, as well as lowering prescription drug costs along with their stated agreement to hold harmless on Soc. Security and Medicare (although with their caveats). Let's see where it goes.
Even so, all of this can be utilized as the predicate for demonstrating their expressed agreement with Dem tax objectives in regards to messaging. Now, all that has to be done, is plugging in or refining the numbers the Dems desire. The messaging should be clear that they support taxing the wealthy. If you hold their feet to the fire, people will at least see how serious they are.
I'm always thinking about these things, and this has become my outlet. Please indulge me. (:
I just reread my note. It should read 'TPP' and relate back to Trump's not recognizing a regional trade agreement in Asia undertaken by the Obama Administration. It would be salient, now, because you have people's attention on the importance of trade agreements. And, it would reflect how trade talks should be conducted.
I think that at this point (i.e., mid 2025) if you have to ask people what issues are of concern to them (and are spending millions of dollars to do so) that's part of the problem. The Democrats need to change who they hire ... get some people with lived experience.
Great question! We are talking to self-identified working class voters. In our view, the working class is a huge group and we didn’t want to put constraints on that. We're talking to a variety of working class voters with different voting histories.
Thanks for the response. I like what you're doing, but it would be helpful to know if Trump's actions are changing votes. Still, I think your project is valuable.
Among the many glaring problems with Democratic Party messaging has been the failure to explain public policy issues to the electorate & then translate that into support for Democratic candidates. The tariff issue is a glaring one. To fix that problem I prepared this primer on tariffs to help voters (the media and candidates) understand the basics. https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/issue-insights-tariffs.
If you visit my site, you'll see lots of posts on other issues (e.g., attempting to bridge the urban-rural divide). Many more are in the pipeline.
By way of background, Information Bank, my Substack, is designed to provide comprehensive information to potential candidates, their supporters, and voters alike on public policy issues, with a particular focus on the neglected state & local sector. Having worked in the elections field for almost a decade, I've also loaded the site (and am continuing to do so) with voter education materials unmatched anywhere else. Each election, dozens/hundreds/thousands/millions of votes go uncounted because of technical errors by the voter (e.g., not signing a ballot return envelope, not returning the ballot by the deadline). Democrats have to be LASER FOCUSED on fixing those problem. Just telling people to register to vote and giving them a link to a site for that purpose is completely inadequate.
As to what Democrats can do, they need to start providing information that helps push back on the disinformation, misinformation, lack of information & lies being told. That's why my site is heavy on fact, figures, and strategic advice too. Plus, I'm doing the materials in formats (e.g., PDFs) that are easy to share. That's imperative.
Compare what I'm doing to the Democratic Party's "Rapid Response" network, which does nothing but post clips of the President, https://bsky.app/profile/factpostnews.bsky.social. So how is that helping to convince voters to switch?
For all candidates and activist groups, I've posted lots of strategic advice too. Most important, I'm eager to license my materials to y'all on a "pay what you can afford" basis. This material is ready ot go NOW which is equally important given the many state and local races now underway. Every office counts!
The tariff issue is compelling and primed for discourse; so, yes I agree.
I would appeal for a unified framework for messaging based on the 2020 DNC/Biden platform with tariff stats and talking points refined by economic subject matter experts.
A talking point sheet could be developed: including, maybe, a 5 Step Plan on how dems would reverse the tariff uncertainty; speak to the administration's reckless approach to negotiations while dismantling NAFTA/USMCA, WTO and TTP: putting us in future trade jeopardy; explain the industries where jobs will be, and the efforts to upskill existing workers; and expand opportunities for new workers entering the workforce. This could then be tailored to the facts, circumstances and opportunities statewide, district wide and locally by candidates. That's my two cents.
Thanks for your comment. We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters to help inform future policies.
Thank you for your reply. It's appreciated.
On another note, I wanted to mention that the Dems may have been handed an opportunity by the Reps with their policy repositioning on a wealth tax and eliminating the carried interest for VCs. Depending on what they deliver, or not, you've got them agreeing to a new tax bracket, as well as lowering prescription drug costs along with their stated agreement to hold harmless on Soc. Security and Medicare (although with their caveats). Let's see where it goes.
Even so, all of this can be utilized as the predicate for demonstrating their expressed agreement with Dem tax objectives in regards to messaging. Now, all that has to be done, is plugging in or refining the numbers the Dems desire. The messaging should be clear that they support taxing the wealthy. If you hold their feet to the fire, people will at least see how serious they are.
I'm always thinking about these things, and this has become my outlet. Please indulge me. (:
I just reread my note. It should read 'TPP' and relate back to Trump's not recognizing a regional trade agreement in Asia undertaken by the Obama Administration. It would be salient, now, because you have people's attention on the importance of trade agreements. And, it would reflect how trade talks should be conducted.
The Harris "Small Business" initiative should be included, as well.
As I anticipated, Bloomberg has reported a major shift in the budget proposal regarding a wealth tax.
I think that at this point (i.e., mid 2025) if you have to ask people what issues are of concern to them (and are spending millions of dollars to do so) that's part of the problem. The Democrats need to change who they hire ... get some people with lived experience.
Thank you for your perspective! We hope you keep following along to learn more about this project.
And maybe people who have run real businesses. Working for a company in business is vastly different than running a business
Please clarify who you're quoting. Are these all Trump voters? And please define how you determine who is a "working class" person.
Great question! We are talking to self-identified working class voters. In our view, the working class is a huge group and we didn’t want to put constraints on that. We're talking to a variety of working class voters with different voting histories.
Thanks for the response. I like what you're doing, but it would be helpful to know if Trump's actions are changing votes. Still, I think your project is valuable.
The first link describes the project. The focus groups are with “self-described working class voters”.
Thanks, but it would help to know which of the comments are from Harris voters and which are Trump voters.
I think that the Mid-term election will be a disaster for the Republicans.
Among the many glaring problems with Democratic Party messaging has been the failure to explain public policy issues to the electorate & then translate that into support for Democratic candidates. The tariff issue is a glaring one. To fix that problem I prepared this primer on tariffs to help voters (the media and candidates) understand the basics. https://sharonlawrence.substack.com/p/issue-insights-tariffs.
If you visit my site, you'll see lots of posts on other issues (e.g., attempting to bridge the urban-rural divide). Many more are in the pipeline.
By way of background, Information Bank, my Substack, is designed to provide comprehensive information to potential candidates, their supporters, and voters alike on public policy issues, with a particular focus on the neglected state & local sector. Having worked in the elections field for almost a decade, I've also loaded the site (and am continuing to do so) with voter education materials unmatched anywhere else. Each election, dozens/hundreds/thousands/millions of votes go uncounted because of technical errors by the voter (e.g., not signing a ballot return envelope, not returning the ballot by the deadline). Democrats have to be LASER FOCUSED on fixing those problem. Just telling people to register to vote and giving them a link to a site for that purpose is completely inadequate.
As to what Democrats can do, they need to start providing information that helps push back on the disinformation, misinformation, lack of information & lies being told. That's why my site is heavy on fact, figures, and strategic advice too. Plus, I'm doing the materials in formats (e.g., PDFs) that are easy to share. That's imperative.
Compare what I'm doing to the Democratic Party's "Rapid Response" network, which does nothing but post clips of the President, https://bsky.app/profile/factpostnews.bsky.social. So how is that helping to convince voters to switch?
For all candidates and activist groups, I've posted lots of strategic advice too. Most important, I'm eager to license my materials to y'all on a "pay what you can afford" basis. This material is ready ot go NOW which is equally important given the many state and local races now underway. Every office counts!
Thank you for your perspective! We hope you keep following along to learn more about this project.
Thanks for your comment. We hope you keep following along to learn more as we’re listening to working class voters.