In a recent CBS News spot, a CNN poll was quoted as saying that the Democratic Party now has a favorability rating of 29%.  With all the vitriol leveled at Republicans of late, this poll number is alarming.

Democrats took a beating this last year and are living at a disadvantage to the new majorities in Congress.  We have all been horrified at what is happening now; how our liberties are being stripped, compromised, and everyday some Republican nominee makes some idiotic statement or action that endangers American safety.

It seems people are beginning to realize elections have consequences.  Even the MAGA crowd has become involved in protests and contacting representatives about how the consequence of their vote is beginning to affect them in a negative way.  I have been excited to see so many people coming out to protests and marches. (You know they are not all Democrats.)  I have never seen a bigger crowd for any event than what was witnessed at UNC for the Bernie Sanders and AOC, Fight Oligarchy event.  Democratic leadership and representatives are bravely stepping out and holding in-person townhalls and public meetings when their Republican counterparts will not.  Yet, it is not enough. Democratic leaders, organizations and representatives are stepping up with rallies, townhalls, lawsuits, bills, podcasts, news bites and votes.  The messaging however, just does not seem to resonate.  The message seems to be, the GOP is not working for you or your best interest.  Trump is destroying the country, hurting Americans, alienating our allies, disrespecting our veterans and endangering our military.  This is all true, but it is not a message that people can get behind.  It is cloudy, negative, and not a message that helps the average American.  It is like a doctor telling you your fatigue is caused by hypertension, and by the way you have dry skin, toe fungus and bad breath; but not telling you what to do about your hypertension.

The GOP and Trump had simpler messages.  I know things are hard for you and I alone can fix it.  We can make things great.  Lies, but simple.  An appeal to people too busy, overwhelmed and wrapped up in their own struggles to think about women’s rights, climate change, voter protection, Ukraine, Gaza, or healthcare.  The GOP is also great at plugging into peoples fears and prejudices, manufacturing crises like trans gendering children, immigrants eating pets, librarians giving explicit books to kids and hoards of alien rapists coming across our borders.  The GOP will say anything, change any position, to frighten or coerce voters.  Democrats want to play by the high-road playbook, which seems noble, but we are finding it is difficult against an opponent who no longer has rules, or a sense of fairness, and is only interested in winning at any cost.

Democrats have certainly lost power, but we are not powerless.  We are currently unpopular, but we can win people’s hearts back.  The question is how, what can we do, especially the average Democratic citizen?

1. We need to change the narrative and the messaging.  Simpler messages, like Clinton’s: I feel your pain–we can make America affordable again might be a good simple message.
2. We need to appeal to working America. Democrats are more educated, generally, especially in Colorado.  We are the state with the most bachelor’s degrees of any state.  Unfortunately, the Democratic Party is associated with educated snobbery now, and that is a turn off to white working-class men.  We are also the party of women.  More women are Democrats than men. That too is seen as a turnoff by men.  We need messaging that appeals to this demographic.  What is the great equalizer for these groups?  A single message that resonates with everyone? Cost of living…the economy but not stated as such.  We need to focus on one, just one message for now. We have so many groups and special interests flashing their messages in the Party that all messages are diluted, and no message is seen or heard. If we can get people to hear this message and get on board with us again.  Then we can bring up the other issues.
3. I was not all that impressed with the message that Bernie brought to Colorado, because he just seemed to be stating the problem, saying Trump and all he was doing was bad, that times are bad and can get worse, but he did not say what we should do about it. AOC did get a little better message out by saying one of the strongest defenses against the current administration is community. Engage and involve people in community first.  Address needs first.  Show compassion, kindness and grace first.  (This is what the early Christian church did to create followers and a movement, addressing needs first, then presenting the gospel). It is a solid means of engaging the public, and one we as Democrats are probably more comfortable with.  We need to step out into the community and make a difference.  Volunteer for helping anywhere you can. Extend a spirit of kindness everywhere.  Community will be a great strength against the cruelty and divisiveness of the GOP administration.

4. Remember you are not powerless.  Speak truth to power, resist and point out falsehoods, demand accountability.  Be diligent in messaging your elected officials, (both parties). Elected officials work for us.  They should be more worried about us than Donald Trump or Elon Musk. Send postcards (a more visual form of messaging). Call their offices daily with your concerns and disappointments.  Show up at rallies, marches and protests with signs! (On April 5, Greeley has two rallies and marches.  One is the monthly Court House Steps rally at the courthouse in downtown Greeley at 10:00.  The other rally is part of the national Hands-Off rally which will be having protest rallies all over the country. Meet at Bittersweet Park (35^th Ave and 16^th) Starting at 2:00.)  Write letters to the editor of your newspaper, trade paper or publication.  Post on social media, citing facts.  Speak up at your organizations.  Join or die… join something. Being a part of a group, any group will add years to your life.  Being involved in groups, strengthens democracy, creates community, fosters cooperation and understanding. Attend board meetings and make your voice and ideas and concerns known and hold community leaders accountable.

5. Donate to the party, to candidates, and organizations that support your values. We are battling billionaires.  The only way to counter their great wealth is by pooling our own.  Candidates will need funds to try and battle dark money GOP backers.

6. Step up to be a precinct organizer, get trained to be an election judge.  Consider running for office.  The more we can present intelligent, informed, compassionate persons to run for office the more likely people will turn to voting for Democrats.  Starting at the local level.  We need committed individuals to run for School Board, City Council, County Commissioner, DA, Sherrif and County Clerk.  We need Democrats to serve on boards of all kinds.  Your presence in the community is crucial.

7. If you have more ideas and want the party to hear them, or if you want to know what is going on in the party, who represents you, how you can help, consider coming to our monthly board meetings. They are open to all Democrats.  Only elected and appointed officials can vote on measures and matters, but you are welcome to attend via zoom to tell us your concerns, and input on what you think Democrats should be doing.  Call our office to sign up for a link to our meetings, on the fourth Thursday of the month.

I am adding a link to a survey that you are welcome to participate in.  Tell us your messaging ideas, what you think are the issues that we need to focus on.  Share opportunities we can get involved with.  To turn our Party around is going to take all of us. To turn our country around will take strong leadership. 

I remember when learning to type the sentence we were given was, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.  It isn’t just a typing exercise now, but words to live by.  We can only go up from here.

Bev Wallace, Vice Chair WCDP

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