Blog for Democracy

Dear Democratic Messaging People

Please change your messaging to galvanize Black voter participation. Sorry precious, but it’s not working. Every election season ya’ll trot out the same old thing – the boogeyman is going to take away your right to vote, so you better vote now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite aware that there is a crew of evil out there who enjoy suppressing the minority vote. But, you are never going to get the newly registered Obama voters with that messaging. First of all the Obama voters, and most likely their parents, don’t know who Jim Crow is, never experienced Jim crow, and don’t know his rules.

So playing the “take away your right to vote” message on urban Black radio stations, listened primarily by these two subsets, pretty much nulls and void your message. Way to spend money keeping radio stations in business. I share this same sentiment when you send the “take away your right to vote” mailers to these households. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb.

If you want to galvanize the Black voters then make them proud. I hear that those Black folks are a proud folk rather than a scared people. Make them feel pride and ownership of their vote with something like:

In 2008, you voted for the first Black president. On Nov. 2, you have the chance to vote for 3 Black Constitutional Officers. The first time ever in the State of Georgia. Vote for Darryl Hicks for Labor Commissioner, Georganna Sinkfield for Secretary of State, and Keith Moffett for Public Service Commissioner. On Nov. 2, you will also have the chance to vote for Michael Thurmond for US Senate. When Michael is elected he will be the only Black person in the entire United States Senate. Come out and support your community by voting for your community.

Now that might stimulate Black folks to come out to the polls. The boogey man messaging is not gonna cut it.

That’s all for me. Continue with your election.

A Concerned Black Voter.

P.S. When you play the “take away your right to vote” card you’re not fooling anyone. The White people know that you are really talking about them.

P.S.S. Can ya’ll also come up with better messaging to galvanize the women voters? Some of us don’t like to be thought of as victims and we need the menfolk to protect us. Try using some women with strong voices to speak about actual issues women care about.

Posted

in

by

Bernita

Tags:

Comments

30 responses to “Dear Democratic Messaging People”

  1. Drew Avatar
    Drew

    No, but I’d rather vote Democrat because I felt they would undo bad Republican policies than vote Democrat because I felt their neglect of voting rights is less toxic than Republican attention would be.

  2. Delicate Flower Avatar
    Delicate Flower

    Also many of those are pure bullshit.

  3. Jen B. Avatar
    Jen B.

    10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

    No. If you’re going to thank a president, you can thank Bush for this. I bought my hybrid in ’07 and received a $2,500 tax credit. Furthermore, the credits are being phased out as more people buy hybrids.. so the credits were actually higher under Bush than Obama.

  4. JerryT Avatar
    JerryT

    So you’re voting Libertarian?

  5. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    DoJ and their Elections division might beg to differ.

  6. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    For the sake of consistency, I am going to call you out for the same way too friggin long cut and paste comments that we usually give JMP shit for. Bad commenting practices…plz don’t has them here.

  7. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    @Drew.. you need to take that up with the State Sec of State, in each state.

    Nationally parties and congress have nothing to do with elections. See Fla 2000 and MIN 2008

  8. Drew Avatar
    Drew

    Whatever. I didn’t say that Democrats had done nothing, I said they’d done nothing to prevent the vote theivery they claim their election would prevent. If they think it’s important enough for us to vote for them, why don’t they treat it as important when they’re in power?

  9. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    I take exception to the ongoing meme, Congress/Obama has done anything.. well.. not so fast.. in two years shit’s happened.. now it might not be what you wanted, but it’s pretty narrow thinking to say nothing happened.

    The Interweb is pretty cool.. a little click a little paste an looky what we’ve got.

    Collected by Things Obama/Congress has done

    I’m sick and tired of people asking “What has Obama done?” So here’s a list of things he’s done since he’s been in office. Remember: He was elected President. He wasn’t elected Jesus!
    The list is still growing. Let me know if I missed anything.

    1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry
    2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along
    3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world
    4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay
    5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation
    6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.
    7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize
    8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
    9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
    10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
    11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
    12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.
    13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
    14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
    15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales
    16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
    17. Closed offshore tax safe havens
    18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
    19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information
    20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
    21. . Ended media blackout on war casualties and the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB.
    22. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
    23. Ended previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
    24. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
    25. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created 2.1 million jobs (as of 12/31/09).
    26. Ended previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
    27. Ended previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
    28. Ended previous policy on torture; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
    29. . Launched Recovery.gov to track spending from the Recovery Act, an unprecedented step to provide transparency and accountability through technology.
    30. Ended previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry’s predatory practices
    31. Ended previous “stop-loss” policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
    32. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
    33. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
    34. Established a new cyber security office
    35. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
    36. Expanding vaccination programs
    37. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses
    38. . Provided the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with more than $1.4 billion to improve services to America’s Veterans.
    39. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
    40. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
    41. Responded with compassion and leadership to the earthquake in Haiti
    42. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
    43. . Launched Business.gov – enabling conversation and online collaboration between small business owners, government representatives and industry experts in discussion forums relevant to starting and managing a business. Great for the economy.
    44. Improved housing for military personnel
    45. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
    46. Changed failing war strategy in Afghanistan.
    47. Improving benefits for veterans
    48. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants…) after years of neglect
    49. Donated his $1.4 million Nobel Prize to nonprofits.
    50. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
    51. Provided tax credits to first-time home buyers through the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 to revitalize the U.S. housing market.
    52. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
    53. Increasing student loans
    54. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return “home” to visit loved ones
    55. Cracked down on companies that deny sick pay, vacation and health insurance to workers by abusing the employee classification of independent contractor. Such companies also avoid paying Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance taxes for those workers.
    56. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
    57. Limits on lobbyists’ access to the White House
    58. Protected 300,000 education jobs, such as teachers, principals, librarians, and counselors through the Recovery Act that would have otherwise been lost.
    59. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
    60. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on February 4, 2009, provides quality health care to 11 million kids – 4 million who were previously uninsured.
    61. Lower drug costs for seniors
    62. Making more loans available to small businesses
    63. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
    64. . Signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, the first piece of comprehensive legislation aimed at improving the lives of Americans living with paralysis
    65. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
    66. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
    67. Announced creation of a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record for members of the U.S. Armed Forces to improve quality of medical care.
    68. New federal funding for science and research labs
    69. New funds for school construction
    70. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
    71. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
    72. . Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals.
    73. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren’t even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
    74. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
    75. Provided tax credit to workers thus cutting taxes for 95% of America’s working families.
    76. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
    77. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
    78. . Helped reverse a downward spiral of the stock market. On January 19, 2009, the last day of President Bush’s presidency, the Dow closed at 8,218.22. In February 2010, the Dow closed at 10,309.24
    79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
    80. Restarted the nuclear non-proliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
    81. Provided attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles.
    82. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
    83. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
    84. Unveiled a program on Earth Day 2009 to develop the renewable energy projects on the waters of our Outer Continental Shelf that produce electricity from wind, wave, and ocean currents. These regulations will enable, for the first time ever, the nation to tap into our ocean’s vast sustainable resources to generate clean energy in an environmentally sound and safe manner.
    85. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
    86. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
    87. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
    88. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
    89. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
    90. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date.
    91. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
    92. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
    93. The “secret detention” facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
    94. US financial and banking rescue plan
    95. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
    96. . Signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act to stop fraud and wasteful spending in the defense procurement and contracting system.
    97. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
    98. Improved relations with Iran
    99. Improved U.S. policy on climate change
    100. Set timetable for exiting Iraq (already started removing troops)
    101. Improved relations with Russia
    102. Improved relations with the Islamic World
    103. Made progress towards grater cooperation on limiting nuclear proliferation
    104. Economic stimulus plan has created jobs. (Unemployment rate decreasing)
    105. Drastically slowed down the recession
    106. Saved Wall Street
    107. Passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act (equal work for equal pay) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilly_Ledbetter_Fair_Pay_Act_of_2009
    108. HEALTHCARE REFORM
    Once again, this is a lot to accomplish in such a short amount of time. He was elected President, he wasn’t elected Jesus.

  10. Drew Avatar
    Drew

    I don’t know which message is more effective, but – given that the Democrats have had control of the House and Senate for the past four years, and the presidency for the past two years, and they’ve done nothing – that I know of, and correct me if I’m wrong – to prevent the Republicans from engaging in exactly the vote-stealing shenanigans that they’re warning against, it’s difficult to believe that voting Democrat would do anything to protect anyone’s right to vote. Indeed, it’s difficult to believe that the Democrats in charge are concerned with the right to vote, given how they’ve done nothing to protect the right to vote.

    Compare to the Republican Party, which is both willing to spread the fear of voter fraud and pass innumerable crazy laws to prevent what never happens from ever happening, no matter how many voters they disenfranchise doing it.

  11. sndeak Avatar
    sndeak

    Catherine – As a party, I agree 100%. No excuse for us not to engage year round. I was really referring to candidates and their propensity to call on the base just 2 weeks before the election year after year after year.

  12. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    @Bernita Who the hell are TI and Tiny?

    I think “Vote for ROY! Paid for by Citizens against Douchebags,” is a pretty effective message.

  13. Trevor Southerland Avatar
    Trevor Southerland

    Catherine, please don’t hurt peoples brains.

    Public relations, customer service… etc… is something we desperately need.

  14. BEZERKO Avatar
    BEZERKO

    Or maybe we could do all three. There, I’m takin’ off my genius hat cause it’s football day!

  15. CatherineAtlanta Avatar
    CatherineAtlanta

    Better yet, if we reach out to our base year-round, cycle to cycle, and build an actual community of Democratic voters, we will have a more engaged electorate, and better turnout.

  16. sndeak Avatar
    sndeak

    If you reach out to your base as soon as the primary is over, instead of in October, I believe you would get a much better turnout.

  17. Bernita Avatar
    Bernita

    hater much, Steve? Wow you must be part of the messaging team to be taking this so personal. I thought I was taking it personal because you know I’m a Black woman…but damn.

    Steve check your facts…Georgia didn’t start a 45-day period of early voting until 2004 and this is the first year ever that DeKalb and many other metro counties have had Saturday voting. So there has only been 2 statewide elections, not counting 2008, where voters have had this large window of opportunity. Not sure you can base any entire argument on having such a small sample size.

    I don’t exactly know what has been creating the uptick but I can tell you that my peers are not going for the “take away my rights to vote” spiel.

    maybe you just don’t get the entire point of this post – the Black community deserves an equal amount of attention and respect for their votes. Many of us who work in politics see the same old tired mantra rolled out every election year. Somehow the Dems can find creative ways to speak to other constituency groups.

  18. steve Avatar
    steve

    Interesting take on the early vote. Tell us then, what you think has moved black voters to the polls is a higher proportion than any other statewide election with the exception of 2008? Is it the field campaign of Darryl Hicks?

  19. Bernita Avatar
    Bernita

    Exactly SFulton Diva – if the Party/candidates can go around the State and explain to each constituency group, like bankers, farmers, and lawyers why voting for the Dems will help their industry then I’m very confused as to why they can’t lay out the issues for the Black community.

    @Steve – you must be really naive to think that all the Dems needed to do was to put a few civil rights icons on a radio ad and that alone has moved Black voters to the polls. I love the Civil Rights leader…but really? really? Ask how many of the Obama generation know the history of Andrew Young and I guarantee that many only know that he married T.I. and Tiny.

    As much as we hammer Deal for his awful, awful record on women issues, I would like for Roy to start talking about what he is going to do for the women community. Whether that’s making sure there is equal pay for equal work, improving child care, increase job opportunities, or whatever, just give me a message so I can share with other women who are thinking of sitting this election out. A message from a real, everyday woman like Amy would go a long way to shore up his votes in the Democratic women circle.

  20. SfultonDiva Avatar
    SfultonDiva

    It’s not a matter of winning nice or loosing ugly. If the democratic party’s most loyal constituency group feels no real need nor desire to vote, we can’t win. I for one am so over the thought that you can just throw a black voice, like Congressman Lewis, on the air two weeks out and all of a sudden you have put forth effort and outreach to black voters. My vote matters just as much as that rural white guy that apparently was important enough to reach out to early on and actually talk about issues that affect him. I’m still waiting….

    Yes, I will be voting on Nov. 2nd and trying my best to encourage others to do the same; but honestly I haven’t been given much to work with and I can’t say I blame some of my peers who just don’t feel compelled to get involved.

  21. BEZERKO Avatar
    BEZERKO

    That there’d be called your false choice.

  22. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Would we rather win ugly or lose nice?

  23. BEZERKO Avatar
    BEZERKO

    I agree Bernita, their and everyone else’s right to vote is under assault, but these threats are best addressed by everyone practicing their right to vote. I like the idea of letting them take ownership of it by showing them they have something to vote for.

  24. Kimberly Avatar
    Kimberly

    thank you for pointing out the other people on the ticket…hope they get on the air soon, right now its just two sad old white guys that sometimes I cant tell till the end whose commercials are whose.

  25. Amy Morton Avatar
    Amy Morton

    God knows I don’t need a man to save me from anything, but I do expect the ones we elect to vote right. It’s not just the rape shield thing with Deal; the domestic violence votes-four of them-are really hard to explain. I’m a great big civil libertarian, and I’m all about making sure that criminal defendants rights are protected, even though that’s not a very politically correct position, but I also work with lots of women who have been victims of either rape or domestic violence. Changing the law to allow arrest without warrant in cases of violence was very important when it came to the safety of the victim, who has often been threatened that she “better not” file charges. Deal opposed this while Barnes sponsored the legislation – that’s quite a contrast, and Deal has not said he made a mistake, that he’s seen the light – nada. That tells me something about the man.

  26. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    I agree Bernita but I hope Black and women still come out and vote.

  27. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    Particularly in the past two weeks.

  28. steve Avatar
    steve

    This messaging appears to be working. The black vote is turning out higher than expected.

  29. Jen B. Avatar
    Jen B.

    Thanks Bernita for this entire post.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *