Because you asked, I will share thoughts on the broader discussion or context in which this discussion and the articles fit, the reality of politics. I am apprehensive about this as I assume not everyone will like what I share. Part of a discussion is to have different views presented.
I view politics through a different lens. As someone who, several lifetimes ago worked as a paid staffer for a congressional campaign, the reality of what happens is vastly different from the viewer, listener, voter side. I learned back then that stripped bare politics is about money and power, not ideology, idealism, rational arguments or untried ideas. It is about base emotion. Can the right people vote to assure I am (and a majority of others) elected or reelected and once elected how do I consolidate that power so I can stay to move the ideals I espouse closer to reality.
It all starts with language. It is crafted and used to influence votes and support; ideology is mostly secondary as in the end everything comes down to what is practical and possible and who has the power and numbers. It is transactional. Without the power or votes, ideas die. Ideas that have no chance of passage create an opposition which in turn limits the chances in other areas (e.g., Green New Deal, Socialism, Defund the Police = lost votes in middle America and certain suburbs). Words and ideas matter—the point is to know whether that results in a net gain or loss of votes and where that happens. One cannot control the passions of people which makes politics so difficult and often what initially has good intentions is coopted by the opposition and turned against them.
One must consider how the opposition will manipulate the ideal, language, or position. The battle is then over the narrative and the Dems lost on all three of those in key states (lost house districts and also statehouse seats). One needs to understand the personal, community, local, regional, state and national implications of one’s efforts. This is not to say those passions behind the movements aren’t legitimate and worth pursuing. Rep. Cliburn said the police slogan hurt Dems and resulted in lost House seats = loss of power.
Language and storytelling are foundational to success in politics. People in the heartland and elsewhere like it that Trump speaks like them, simply and directly, without apology or fear of offense. Biden is similar, but the Democratic Leadership speaks like educated lawyers using big words and jargon that requires a dictionary often; or their priorities focus on issues of little to no importance to the Midwest, rural America and other places. The Dems fail to make their case, in part, because Trump has already branded them or makes AOC the face and that = Socialism = loss of votes to Dems in many house and senate races. Dems are slow to react, respond and while they may think it will go away, it won’t. This “above the fray” attitude by Dems is what certain groups find offensive. It is cast by the R’s and perceived as being elitist, as flaunting an air of intellectual and personal superiority.
It is incumbent on Dems to be clear, direct, to the point and practical in defining a need, offering a solution, making a case and tooting their horn when successful. If however they go off in pursuit of ideals that have no support, they do the party and the country a disservice. Only by being in power and remaining there can certain issues be addressed and embedded into the fabric of society that then makes them harder to unravel.
So my summary, people vote based on emotion, not ideas. Whether they like someone bears more weight than ideas; whether they have the correct letter (R or D) after their name on the ballot matters. People try to argue over this point but what is rational is not always what is true.
Yes, those who are idealistic and have strong single-issue beliefs (climate, abortion, religious freedom, guns) may focus on rational arguments and information but in the end, they are in the minority. For most people voting it is emotion, a personal liking (think Clinton, Kerry on the dislike scale). A voter may give a rational justification, but as behavioral economics research suggests, we are not often as rational as we think we are.
Politics is about feelings, power, and having a majority of votes. It is about what is actually possible, now. Slogans and ideas begin the process but one must ultimately consider what is the practical reality, cost, implications of grand ideas? Who does it help, hurt, who pays and who benefits and when? And do you have the power to make it happen?
Just my opinion based on my observations.
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