Thank you Ruth for this important, concrete interview with Rep Swalwell on messaging.
Thank you for this clear, concise interview.
It's like trying to turn around a ship mid-voyage. We must start today with consistent, concise messaging. If not now, when?
We must mirror and learn from our opponents (single message "big steal"). Fellow citizen/ voters/ taxpayers have been deceived, ours must be fact-based civics lessons on governance. ?
- Clear, concise civic education of types of governance. And consequences.
- Someone, somewhere has to come up with an umbrella communication strategy, determine communication channels to get the messaging out, develop timelines is helpful.
- Business plan model
- Non-partisan educational communications
- Evidence-based communication of consequences to families.
- Respectful, gentle tone messaging, fact-based.
I am blessed with a new friendship with some who grew up in Italy in the 40s, tragically she lost her dad, WWII. She is fearful of socialism. As are other immigrants from Europe I speak with. Messaging tones must be from a gentle imploring, fact-based with respect for all our fellow voter/ taxpayers.
I hope Friday's call might touch on such strategy brainstorming for how to reach neighbor buy neighbor.
There has to be another arm to this other than media. People are living in distrust.
In "How Civil Wars Start" Barbara Walter writes: "People don't realize how vulnerable Western democracies are to violent attack . . . . [having] grown accustomed to their longevity, their resilience, and their stability in the face of crises. But that was before social media created an avenue by which enemies of democracy can easily infiltrate society and destabilize it from within. The internet has revealed just how fragile a government by and for the people can be" (HCWS, p. 124).
How to get some kind of control of social media to minimize the enemies of democracy is a real question. Getting cooperation from billionaires like Mr. Zuckerberg is a real challenge.
As you point out, Jan Stickel, the insidious propaganda of these enemies of democracy has not only eroded trust in our governmental institutions, it has also eroded trust in reason as well. This is an erosion that destroys the very means for our recovery of democratic governance.
The person who chooses to deceive himself is the first to perish.
The Power of US, Van Bavel PhD, Packer PhD. Explores harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation and Promote Social Harmony, 9/2021
And how do we best convey the con$equences to families? Many of whom distrust many of the traditional sources of media communication, preferring only those that they have sworn an allegiance to on social media?
And it is especially difficult in this time of covid when social gatherings which might put us into contact with others who do not share our views are decreasing?
I do appreciate Mr. Swalwell's perspective but I would have liked to hear more about messaging, at least some discussion as to what that messaging should touch upon. Although it is important to identify the best ways and means of getting that message to those who need to hear it, we first must have good, effective messages to share.
To start such a conversation I would say that we need much more than outrage. Specifically, what will Democrats do if they maintain or expand their numbers in the House and expand their numbers in the Senate in 2022 and beyond and what may happen if they don't. Secondly, we need to be able to convincingly show that Republicans have already denied the American people the things that polls have clearly said they want and need. With greater numbers they will deny even more. This should be made easier by the fact that Republicans have no platform. Not a single plank except for the one named Trump.
Easier said that done, true but without that discussion it will be impossible.
I follow Rep Swalwell on Twitter and keep up with what he is doing - or trying to do given the hateful obstruction from Republicans. I am grateful for his work.
I do disagree with him on thinking Crenshaw’s idea about Greene being a fraud and grifter as “crazy”. I despise Crenshaw and am frustrated beyond belief that he and Wilkie were not held accountable for their blatant work to blacklist a female veteran for her reporting of a sexual assault but…I have to agree with him on his take on Greene. She is unhinged and dangerous.
It is one thing to say that Democrats need to have a unified message - we all know that - but what, exactly, is being done to create it? Has there been a group assigned to do that work? And I don’t mean a committee to study the idea in order to set up a group to do the work - I mean a group that will get to work right now. Will they actually be skilled at communicating public messages or will they just be cronies or relatives of those in charge of setting up that group? (I can think of several people who excel at getting the news out in succinct, smart ways and I highly doubt Pelosi would choose any of them or allow them to be in charge of messaging.) There really isn’t any time to waste on this. So, I’m curious to ask Rep Swalwell - what is being done to take care of this lack of a message?
This is my question as well. The cast majority of the country is neither on Substack nor Twitter. They are unaware of how their lives and future will be radically altered under authoritarian rule, and no one in Congress is painting a portrait of life under a dictatorship. The media that reports on every breath Trump takes seem oblivious to their eventual extinction under fascist rule. Corporations that eagerly fund GOP seditionist appear to believe that they will escape the financial extortion of a Putin-esque ruler. Democratic leadership seem to operate under the assumption that voters will make an informed choice in 2022, yet no one in power is informing them of the daily repercussions of choosing a dictatorship.
Agree. Perhaps most trusted messaging may come from non-partisan voter/ taxpayers perhaps bonding together.
Corporation$ (who do not yet directly cast ballots) will see a decline in innovation, profits and employee engagement. Corporations could ponder when was the last time the newest $mart phone (or technology) initiated out of Russia?
The question for citizen-voter taxpayers & corporations alike:
EXACTLY this hw! I normally do not use all-caps but you said this so well that I had to. It amazes me as well that all who rush to use hate against their fellow citizens don’t seem to realize that the same restrictions they are clamoring for to be used against those “others” will happen to them as well. All it takes is time.
Eric Swalwell is a rising star in the democratic party. He has ambitions and I can easily see him running for President. He understands the stakes for democracy surviving.
Meanwhile, as Ruth points out the Dems need message unity and discipline, if they are going to turn the ship around in time for the midterms. With Omicron receding and good fortune maybe (we) can get to a happier place.
Agree and also to have caution to not mention outwardly the covid-word. As with the fall midterms, the virus could ( altho hopefully not) increase because of seasonality.
Tying Democrats to that issue prematurely could backfire, to the opponent's advantage.
Democrats need to take the leadership and erase that word from political discourse. Maybe 2022
election the focal question of type of governance.
Only true question on the ballot, the rest (inflation, jobs reports, crime stats) is fluff~~
Ask him about the Chinese spy he's been sleeping with
Thank you Ruth for this important, concrete interview with Rep Swalwell on messaging.
Thank you for this clear, concise interview.
It's like trying to turn around a ship mid-voyage. We must start today with consistent, concise messaging. If not now, when?
We must mirror and learn from our opponents (single message "big steal"). Fellow citizen/ voters/ taxpayers have been deceived, ours must be fact-based civics lessons on governance. ?
- Clear, concise civic education of types of governance. And consequences.
- Someone, somewhere has to come up with an umbrella communication strategy, determine communication channels to get the messaging out, develop timelines is helpful.
- Business plan model
- Non-partisan educational communications
- Evidence-based communication of consequences to families.
- Respectful, gentle tone messaging, fact-based.
I am blessed with a new friendship with some who grew up in Italy in the 40s, tragically she lost her dad, WWII. She is fearful of socialism. As are other immigrants from Europe I speak with. Messaging tones must be from a gentle imploring, fact-based with respect for all our fellow voter/ taxpayers.
I hope Friday's call might touch on such strategy brainstorming for how to reach neighbor buy neighbor.
There has to be another arm to this other than media. People are living in distrust.
In "How Civil Wars Start" Barbara Walter writes: "People don't realize how vulnerable Western democracies are to violent attack . . . . [having] grown accustomed to their longevity, their resilience, and their stability in the face of crises. But that was before social media created an avenue by which enemies of democracy can easily infiltrate society and destabilize it from within. The internet has revealed just how fragile a government by and for the people can be" (HCWS, p. 124).
How to get some kind of control of social media to minimize the enemies of democracy is a real question. Getting cooperation from billionaires like Mr. Zuckerberg is a real challenge.
As you point out, Jan Stickel, the insidious propaganda of these enemies of democracy has not only eroded trust in our governmental institutions, it has also eroded trust in reason as well. This is an erosion that destroys the very means for our recovery of democratic governance.
The person who chooses to deceive himself is the first to perish.
Good book I'm reading:
The Power of US, Van Bavel PhD, Packer PhD. Explores harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation and Promote Social Harmony, 9/2021
Agree, on social media ,,, the www, Wild wild west of our time
And how do we best convey the con$equences to families? Many of whom distrust many of the traditional sources of media communication, preferring only those that they have sworn an allegiance to on social media?
And it is especially difficult in this time of covid when social gatherings which might put us into contact with others who do not share our views are decreasing?
Emotion overrides reason in communication. So to right the ship so-to-speak in this moment of peril, what is our singular emotion message?
Con$equences to families.
I do appreciate Mr. Swalwell's perspective but I would have liked to hear more about messaging, at least some discussion as to what that messaging should touch upon. Although it is important to identify the best ways and means of getting that message to those who need to hear it, we first must have good, effective messages to share.
To start such a conversation I would say that we need much more than outrage. Specifically, what will Democrats do if they maintain or expand their numbers in the House and expand their numbers in the Senate in 2022 and beyond and what may happen if they don't. Secondly, we need to be able to convincingly show that Republicans have already denied the American people the things that polls have clearly said they want and need. With greater numbers they will deny even more. This should be made easier by the fact that Republicans have no platform. Not a single plank except for the one named Trump.
Easier said that done, true but without that discussion it will be impossible.
I follow Rep Swalwell on Twitter and keep up with what he is doing - or trying to do given the hateful obstruction from Republicans. I am grateful for his work.
I do disagree with him on thinking Crenshaw’s idea about Greene being a fraud and grifter as “crazy”. I despise Crenshaw and am frustrated beyond belief that he and Wilkie were not held accountable for their blatant work to blacklist a female veteran for her reporting of a sexual assault but…I have to agree with him on his take on Greene. She is unhinged and dangerous.
It is one thing to say that Democrats need to have a unified message - we all know that - but what, exactly, is being done to create it? Has there been a group assigned to do that work? And I don’t mean a committee to study the idea in order to set up a group to do the work - I mean a group that will get to work right now. Will they actually be skilled at communicating public messages or will they just be cronies or relatives of those in charge of setting up that group? (I can think of several people who excel at getting the news out in succinct, smart ways and I highly doubt Pelosi would choose any of them or allow them to be in charge of messaging.) There really isn’t any time to waste on this. So, I’m curious to ask Rep Swalwell - what is being done to take care of this lack of a message?
This is my question as well. The cast majority of the country is neither on Substack nor Twitter. They are unaware of how their lives and future will be radically altered under authoritarian rule, and no one in Congress is painting a portrait of life under a dictatorship. The media that reports on every breath Trump takes seem oblivious to their eventual extinction under fascist rule. Corporations that eagerly fund GOP seditionist appear to believe that they will escape the financial extortion of a Putin-esque ruler. Democratic leadership seem to operate under the assumption that voters will make an informed choice in 2022, yet no one in power is informing them of the daily repercussions of choosing a dictatorship.
Agree. Perhaps most trusted messaging may come from non-partisan voter/ taxpayers perhaps bonding together.
Corporation$ (who do not yet directly cast ballots) will see a decline in innovation, profits and employee engagement. Corporations could ponder when was the last time the newest $mart phone (or technology) initiated out of Russia?
The question for citizen-voter taxpayers & corporations alike:
How would you benefit from a corrupt government?
EXACTLY this hw! I normally do not use all-caps but you said this so well that I had to. It amazes me as well that all who rush to use hate against their fellow citizens don’t seem to realize that the same restrictions they are clamoring for to be used against those “others” will happen to them as well. All it takes is time.
Your last line says it all. Thank you for this.
"They only need you till they dont"
Eric Swalwell is a rising star in the democratic party. He has ambitions and I can easily see him running for President. He understands the stakes for democracy surviving.
Meanwhile, as Ruth points out the Dems need message unity and discipline, if they are going to turn the ship around in time for the midterms. With Omicron receding and good fortune maybe (we) can get to a happier place.
He's in bed with commie china, google it.
Agree and also to have caution to not mention outwardly the covid-word. As with the fall midterms, the virus could ( altho hopefully not) increase because of seasonality.
Tying Democrats to that issue prematurely could backfire, to the opponent's advantage.
Democrats need to take the leadership and erase that word from political discourse. Maybe 2022
election the focal question of type of governance.
Only true question on the ballot, the rest (inflation, jobs reports, crime stats) is fluff~~
Steady the ship, our hope.
Agree, consequences to families.