Democratic strategists Anat Shenker-Osorio and Jenifer Fernandez Ancona have released new research examining what economic messaging is most likely to work for Democratic candidates this election year. The GOP is currently winning the messaging war, and Democrats are looking for ways to improve. President Joe Biden has been delivering remarks on how his Bidenomics and Investing in America Agenda are repairing and rebuilding infrastructure, lowering costs, supporting small businesses, and creating good-paying jobs. The article provides insights into the research conducted by Shenker-Osorio and Fernandez Ancona, which aims to help Democrats develop winning messages on the economy.
According to a new article from KQED, Democratic strategists Anat Shenker-Osorio and Jenifer Fernandez Ancona have conducted research on economic messaging that is likely to resonate with Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. The research aims to help Democrats improve their messaging on the economy, as the GOP currently holds an advantage in this area. President Joe Biden has been promoting his economic agenda, including Bidenomics and the Investing in America Agenda, which focus on infrastructure repair and rebuilding, cost reduction, support for small businesses, and the creation of well-paying jobs. The article provides an overview of the research conducted by Shenker-Osorio and Fernandez Ancona, offering insights into how Democrats can develop winning messages on the economy.
Political campaigns and advocacy groups are expected to spend anywhere from $10 billion to $17 billion on ads in this year’s election cycle, with a focus on the economy. The way a campaign talks about the economy in an ad can depend on factors such as whether the candidate is an incumbent and how the economy is performing. Adjusting the timeline being discussed is one strategy to shape perceptions of the economy. Candidates may compare the current economy to the past few months to argue that it is improving, but average Americans may compare it to the pre-pandemic economy and not feel better. The emotions and experiences of voters, such as rising grocery bills and gas prices, resonate more than academic economic numbers. Incumbents may want to focus on positive economic trends, but they also need to acknowledge frustration and cynicism and provide specific examples of future work. Successful messaging for incumbents will highlight smaller ways people’s lives have improved, like lower gas prices. It is important for candidates to keep the message focused on local and individual issues and have real voters tell their stories. Voters' beliefs about the economy are influenced by their own experiences and what they see others in the community experiencing.
In a recent article from Daily Kos, the importance of repetition in spreading messages and combating misinformation is discussed. The article emphasizes the need for Democrats to repeat key points to counter the lies and dark forces that are trying to bring them down. The author suggests talking about these messages in public places, freeway blogging, and sharing ideas on social media. The article also mentions the author's other writing projects, including a trilogy about crows and stories based on Jane Austen novels and Greek mythology. The overall message is that repetition is necessary to make a difference and spread the truth. According to another article from Daily Kos, there is a guide on effective messaging and canvassing on basic economic issues for Democratic GOTV field teams. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on cost-of-living, affordability, jobs, and buying power, rather than GDP, economic growth, or disinflation. The article suggests that American voters measure the economy based on their buying power and living costs, and not macro-economic abstractions. It also highlights the need to address concerns about housing costs, corporate price-gouging, healthcare costs, monopolies, and immigration. The article cautions against using wonkish economic arguments, downplaying inflation concerns, or arguing that the US economy is doing better than other countries. It advises being solutions-oriented, avoiding arguments about economic minutia, and not suggesting that Democratic voters move to 'safe Blue States.' The article also provides cautious recommendations on addressing wage increases and the China trade in economic messaging. [a6abb6fa]