Democratic Messaging Archives - Page 16 of 52

Category Archives: Democratic Messaging

On police violence, the “re-” words are better than the “de-” words

Written on April 14, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging

“Black Lives Matter” response to police racism and violence

The United States is experiencing the latest chapters of the continuing tragedy of police violence against people of color. Just as Derek Chauvin is being tried for the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, protests have broken out another incident occurred just about 10 miles away in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center, where a police officer killed Daunte Wright in a traffic stop over a hanging air freshener last weekend.

These latest police attacks on our citizens of color caused some liberals to repeat the call to “defund the police” that was in heavy rotation over the last couple of years. For example, U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib expressed this view on Monday, going even further to write “no more policing”:

It wasn't an accident. Policing in our country is inherently & intentionally racist.

Daunte Wright was met with aggression & violence. I am done with those who condone government funded murder.

No more policing, incarceration, and militarization. It can't be reformed.

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) April 12, 2021

However, defunding the police is an unpopular idea which hurt Democrats in the 2020 elections. Furthermore, defunding the police to reduce racism and violence is counterproductive, since even a hollowed-out, nearly bankrupt police department could be just as racist and trigger-happy as always, and some proposals to reduce citizen murders by police, such as stricter training and recruiting, might require more, not less, funding.

Perhaps that’s why former President Barack Obama released a different kind of statement yesterday on behalf of himself and former First Lady Michelle Obama, regarding the killing of Daunte Wright:

Our hearts are heavy over yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of police. It’s important to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but this is also a reminder of just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country. pic.twitter.com/sgcbRjlApr

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 13, 2021

Note the term “reimagine policing” that Obama used, and how different that is from “defund the police.” President Obama realizes that, when it comes to police violence, the “re-” words are better than the “de-” words.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Brooklyn Center, Daunte Wright, Defund the Police, Derek Chauvin, George Floyd, gun violence, Michelle Obama, Minneapolis, Minnesota, police violence, President Barack Obama, Rashida Tlaib

President Biden delivers powerful message, executive orders on gun violence

Written on April 9, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging

March For Our Lives rally, Columbus, Ohio, 2018

President Joe Biden took several significant executive actions yesterday to combat gun violence. In a White House Rose Garden ceremony, Biden, along with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, announced that he is:

- Directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to propose regulations to stop the proliferation of deadly, untraceable “ghost guns”;
- Modifying federal grant programs to increase available funding for community violence intervention programs;
- Publishing a model state “red flag” law (which would permit families or law enforcement to petition courts to remove guns from someone who poses a threat to themself or others);
- Directing DOJ to issue a new, annual comprehensive report on firearms trafficking;
- Directing DOJ to propose a regulation ensuring the stabilizing arm braces that circumvent the law on dangerous short-barrel rifles are subject to the National Firearms Act;
- Nominating David Chipman, a former special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and longtime gun owner and gun safety expert, to be the director of the ATF.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Assault Weapons Ban, ATF, Congress, David Chipman, Everytown for Gun Safety, filibuster, Fred Guttenberg, Gabby Giffords, gun control, gun safety, gun violence, Merrick Garland, Parkland, President Joe Biden, Senate, universal background checks, Vice President Kamala Harris

In Matt Gaetz sex scandal, Twitter leads the way

Written on April 1, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Fox "News" Watch, Media Watch

Rep. Matt Gaetz (right) on Fox News, protesting a bit too much.

Unless you have been in a cave with no media whatsoever, you are no doubt aware that U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida is in a heap of potential trouble. The U.S. Justice Department, beginning with the Trump administration last year, reportedly has been investigating Gaetz over allegations that he engaged in a sexual relationship with one or more 17 year-old girls (which, for Gaetz, would be a felony in Florida) and that he engaged in illegal interstate sex trafficking of these girls. Much of this news has been received this week via Twitter, for example, from sources such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

BREAKING: The New York Times reports that Republican Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz is under investigation by the Justice Department over claims of a "sexual relationship with a 17-year-old." pic.twitter.com/feiWNkwhHC

— The Beat with Ari Melber 📺 (@TheBeatWithAri) March 30, 2021

Rep. Matt Gaetz Under Investigation for Alleged Sexual Relationship With Underage Girl – The Wall Street Journal https://t.co/yju3DR7EX5

— LVaddict618 🐿 (@LVaddict618) March 31, 2021

Yesterday, a video of Gaetz quickly spread on Twitter in which he talks about casting the sole “No” vote in the entire U.S. Congress on the 2017 Combating Human Trafficking in Commercial Vehicles Act:

Why was Matt Gaetz the ONLY member of Congress to vote against a major anti-sex trafficking bill? pic.twitter.com/1dMTgXiH0b

— Grant Stern  (@grantstern) March 31, 2021

Twitter is also the place where readers have been reminded that Gaetz has a boy, “Nestor,” living with him, whom Gaetz claims is his “son,” although there is no legal status that declares Nestor to be Gaetz’s son.

https://twitter.com/richardhine/status/1377070860473864195

Perhaps not coincidentally, it has also been reported this week, and widely distributed on Twitter, that Gaetz is thinking of resigning from Congress, or at least not running for reelection, to go work for right wing media outlet Newsmax.

https://twitter.com/darinself/status/1377016224987676677

While these charges against Rep. Gaetz are very serious and sad, many Twitter users have also been able to create some of the most brutal and often hilarious mockery against him. Check out some of the best examples after the jump:

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Bill Barr, Department of Justice, Donald Trump, Matt Gaetz, NewsMax, Twitter, William Barr

Republicans about to fall into next political trap on infrastructure

Written on March 23, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Good Government

Better roads and more jobs: a win-win for America

On the heels of President Joe Biden‘s policy and political victory on the American Rescue Plan (ARP), and with the COVID vaccination rate well exceeding his 100-day goal, Biden and Congressional Democrats are now adding infrastructure to their agenda. That is the dry term for the crucial task of rebuilding America’s crumbling roads and bridges. And once again, just as happened with the ARP, Republicans are in danger of ending up on the wrong side of a very popular issue.

First, recall that Donald Trump, touting himself as a “builder,” had talked about rebuilding America’s infrastructure since at least 2015. After arriving at the White House, Trump even promised up to $1.5 trillion in infrastructure spending. Of course, Trump’s big plan never happened, just like Trump’s promised healthcare plan, nor anything else other than a tax cut for the wealthy and the near-destruction of our democracy.

But now the Democrats, with the White House and control of both houses of Congress, have the opportunity to deliver on rebuilding America, or what President Biden and the Democrats might call “Build Back Better.” And here’s where the Republicans may again fall into a trap of their own making:

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: American Rescue Plan, Congress, Coronavirus, COVID, COVID-19, Democrats, Donald Trump, infrastructure, President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, Republicans, Senate, vaccination, vaccine

President Biden becomes successful spokesman for his agenda

Written on March 19, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Democratic vs. Republican Presidents, Good Government

When selling his agenda, President Biden has the gift of gab.

Yesterday, President Joe Biden announced from the White House that U.S. COVID vaccinations will reach 100 million today, more than six weeks ahead of Biden’s previously set goal of 100 million COVID doses in the first 100 days of his presidency. This remarkable achievement follows President Biden’s successful signing of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), with his full proposed $1.9 trillion in relief, into law. Biden’s signing of the ARP was followed by an extremely effective White House speech where he announced direct stimulus payments of up to $1,400 to many Americans (a large number of which have already been received), as well as strong steps to combat the Coronavirus pandemic, including increased purchasing and distribution of vaccines, and assistance to states and businesses.

Perhaps it should not be surprising that President Biden has been so good at touting his administration’s achievements. After all, Biden is the one who, as U.S. Vice President, came up with the bumper sticker of the year for the 2012 elections:

If you are looking for a bumper sticker to sum up how President Obama has handled what we inherited, it’s pretty simple: Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: 2022 elections, 2024 elections, Congress, Coronavirus, COVID, COVID-19, culture war, Democrats, Dr. Seuss, Joe Biden, Mr. Potato Head, President Barack Obama, President Joe Biden, Republicans, Senate, vaccine

After Trump exit, Biden and Democrats rejoin world community

Written on February 24, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Democratic vs. Republican Presidents

Russia, where we can expect a big change between Trump and Biden

Of all of Donald Trump‘s boneheaded and dangerous moves, some of the worst involved America’s place in the world. Specifically, Trump cozied up to our adversaries such as Russia, he withdrew from crucial international agreements such as the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Iran Nuclear Agreement, and he alienated our longtime allies such as our fellow NATO nations. Now, President Joe Biden and the Democrats who control both houses of Congress have begun the difficult work of repairing America’s tarnished image and restoring some safety to the world.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Air Force One, Alexei Navalny, Barack Obama, climate change, Democrats, Donald Trump, Ed Markey, Iran, Joe Biden, Khashoggi, Kim Jong Un, MBS, NATO, North Korea, nuclear agreement, Paris Agreement, Republicans, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen

Democrats present powerful case in Trump impeachment trial

Written on February 11, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Republican Messaging

Protesters call for Donald Trump’s impeachment and removal

After two days of Donald Trump‘s second impeachment trial (Tuesday was the argument over whether the trial is constitutional, and Wednesday was the first day of substantive arguments), we have a very sharp contrast between the parties.

The Democratic House Impeachment Managers who are presenting the case against Trump, especially Reps. Jamie Raskin and Joe Neguse, effectively used video and slides to show that, after a months-long campaign of lies about a “stolen election,” Donald Trump incited his militant supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, at the very moment the Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden‘s Electoral College victory, and that these terrorists immediately followed Trump’s orders and attacked. Trump then pathetically tried to cover up his incitement with a statement and a tweet hours after the fact, telling the terrorists to go home in peace, but not until after telling them, “we love you. You’re very special.”

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Bruce Castor, Democrats, Donald Trump, impeachment, insurrection, Jamie Raskin, Joe Biden, Joe Neguse, Republicans, Senate, terrorism

Time for a Liberal Shock Doctrine on COVID

Written on January 27, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Democratic vs. Republican Presidents, Good Government

Republicans may soon be feeling the Liberal Shock Doctrine

In her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine, author Naomi Klein explains how Republican leaders, especially George W. Bush, imposed conservative economic plans, including laissez-faire and privatization, upon the people of Iraq, the residents of New Orleans, and others who were shell-shocked from wars or other disasters. We have argued that, if Republicans can impose their Shock Doctrine when bad things happen and they are in power, then Democrats can do so too, with Democratic, progressive policies. The COVID pandemic presents just such an opportunity for President Joe Biden and the Democrats who now control both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Sure enough, there are signs that a liberal, or Democratic, Shock Doctrine is about to be put into practice:

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: 2020 Elections, American Rescue Plan, Congress, Coronavirus, COVID, COVID-19, Democrats, Donald Trump, President Joe Biden, Republicans, Senate, Shock Doctrine, Stimulus, vaccine, World Health Organization

Biden inauguration: America gets a reboot

Written on January 19, 2021 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Democratic vs. Republican Presidents

One thing we’ll have less of in the Biden Oval Office

With a new year and the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris tomorrow, many Americans are looking forward to getting a fresh start. In modern terms, we can call it a “reboot” for America. Here are some areas where we will get a much-needed reboot with President Biden:

COVID — we hardly need to recount the Trump administration’s failures to address the COVID pandemic. Those failures continue today, with vaccine distribution woefully inadequate, and Trump officials predictably lying to cover their negligence (or worse). However, Joe Biden and his team have a plan to hit the ground running, from better vaccine distribution to a nationwide mask mandate. There can be little doubt that Biden will improve the Coronavirus situation.

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: Charlottesville, climate change, Coronavirus, COVID, COVID-19, Donald Trump, inauguration, infrastructure, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Paris Agreement, racism, Russia, White House

What’s your favorite nickname for the exiting Donald Trump?

Written on December 28, 2020 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging, Democratic vs. Republican Presidents

Best nickname for this guy?

What comes to mind when you think of presidential nicknames? Honest Abe? Tricky Dick? It’s fair to say that, over the past four years, Donald Trump is “winning” when it comes to the number of nicknames applied to a White House resident. However, many Trump nicknames are not exactly complimentary. Nevertheless, most of them are colorful, some are descriptive of actions Trump has taken, and quite a few are funny. Therefore, to celebrate Donald Trump’s impending departure from the White House, here’s a sampling of Trump nicknames mentioned over the past four years. If you have a favorite, or more to add to the list, please let us know in the comments!

0 Comments - Leave a comment!

Tags: 2020 Elections, Donald Trump, White House