By: BRAD SLAGER – SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
The November midterm elections have been a particular focus for Democrats — probably since early November 2016. The era of #Resist has been a constant drumbeat from the left on how they will retake control of D.C. from the clutches of the tyrannical Donald Trump.
Yet the promise of a “Blue Wave” this fall is showing to be something you may struggle to surf on. Which is possibly the inspiration for the Democrats to announce they have a new catch phrase for the November vote.
In a private event with House members, the Democrats unveiled a new campaign slogan to be adopted by those in current races: “For the People.”
Yes, I did say “For the People.” A phrase Floridians know well, considering it came from attorney and disillusioned Democrat — in fact, almost-candidate-for-Florida governor — John Morgan.
I have said on my podcast that Democrats are lacking, both in a central party message and in possessing any notable names to serve as the face of their party. It is revealing that the one who has garnered the most press attention is an avowed socialist from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Despite perpetual demonization of Trump from the left, the signs of election progress inevitability just have not materialized. The month-long assault on the administration’s immigration policy hasn’t drawn people to their side.
The polls many in the press point to, supposedly show growing support for immigrants, need a closer reading. The wording is regarding support for “legal immigration.” A recent Harvard-Harris poll shows the left’s rallying cry to disband ICE is actually opposed by a majority, and 70 percent of the American people say they support tightening the immigration laws.
More than that, Trump has enjoyed growing support. For most of 2016 his Gallup approval numbers languished in the mid-30s percentile. After this April, when the zero-tolerance enforcement at the border began, he climbed past the 40 percent mark and has remained above that level since. The hoped-for damage never materialized.
And so … the Democrats have resorted to marketing brevity. Cheri Bustos, co-chair of the Dems’ messaging division, explained their decision: “I don’t think any of us are claiming this is poetic or this is the be-all-end-all of messaging,” she said of the derivative three-word rallying call. “It’s just a way, in a quick way, to put together the answer to what we stand for.”
And so, back to Florida they go. It turns out to unify their messaging, the Democrats have adopted the advertising slogan from the sprawling law firm of Morgan & Morgan. The firm’s ads have been ever present around the state for years, even delivered by former governor Charlie Crist on behalf of the firm. So the Dems pin their hopes on adopting a bumper-sticker quote from a personal injury law firm.
John Morgan is thrilled by this, for the record. The lawyer who has had his eye on politics, and marijuana legalization, was on social media crowing about the party adopting his ad campaign. “I am in their hearts forever” he declared after the announcement was made. He followed with a number of other giddy tweets. “I thank them for the free advertising,” was another quote. He also jokingly stated, “I agreed to allow @NancyPelosi…to pay me only a nickel every time #ForThePeople is used by the DCCC.”
I doubt the party leadership welcome this comparison. I also doubt they executed much due diligence, as an intern could have found this phrase being used on the most cursory of web searches, in between daily duties of dropping documents in the shredder. The party moving to employ a blithe catch-phrase shows it is not in possession of the kind of traction needed to swing an election.
Dems have recognized a need to condense messaging. As Cheri Bustos said, “With discipline and not being distracted by the outrage of the day, that’s how people can start hearing us.” This has proven to be a concept beyond the grasp of Democrats. That reality is echoed in an informal catch-phrase that has circulated in conservative circles for some time now: “If the Democrats could just stop acting insane, they would own Washington.”
We have seen little evidence that they are capable of such discipline.
Brad Slager is a Fort Lauderdale freelance writer who wrote this story exclusively for Sunshine State News. He writes on politics and the entertainment industry and his stories appear in such publications as RedState and The Federalist.
