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Democrats use MLK Day to push for voting rights

Written on January 18, 2022 by Messaging Matters in Democratic Messaging

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Washington, DC

Every year on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we hear platitudes from politicians honoring the fallen civil rights leader. At least Democrats mean their praise of Dr. King sincerely; Republicans clearly do not. Indeed, according to one recent poll, a majority of Republicans do not even think MLK Day should be a national holiday. But yesterday, many Democrats took an effective extra step: they linked Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with voting rights. Specifically, Democrats, including Dr. King’s own children, cited MLK Day to call for passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that has been passed by the U.S. House and is currently pending before the U.S. Senate.

Such linkage between MLK Day and voting rights, for example was all over Twitter:

It's seems fitting that #MartinLutherKingDay coincides with a national debate around voting rights. If we want to truly honor his legacy — we should ensure every vote counts and every voice is heard.

— Chris Jones (@JonesForAR) January 17, 2022

This #MartinLutherKingDay no celebration, without legislation.

Our right to vote is under attack and it is in SERIOUS danger. But you can do something about it! Something that will have a huge impact. ⁰⁰Call your Senator! (202)-224-3121 and tell them to #PassVotingRightsNow pic.twitter.com/LV5cHU5ksg

— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) January 17, 2022

I’m proud to stand on stage with leaders from our Congress that have continuously stood for the protection of #votingrights. The House has done their job and are still out fighting for our rights. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same. #MLKDay #DeliverForVotingRights pic.twitter.com/vRjIT6zbjA

— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) January 17, 2022

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Tags: Civil Rights, Democrats, John R. Lewis, Martin Luther King, MLK Day, Republicans, voting rights, Voting Rights Advancement Act

2020, meet 1968

Written on June 2, 2020 by Messaging Matters in Democratic vs. Republican Presidents, Good Government

President Lyndon Johnson and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, 1968

America torn apart by unrest. An overarching issue that has caused the deaths of many thousands of Americans. Separate protests and riots over the death of a black man. It’s a good description of 2020, right? Actually, this also describes the year 1968. There are some striking parallels between these two years, and they do not bode well for Donald Trump or the Republican Party.

In 1968, Lyndon Johnson, who had become president after John F. Kennedy‘s assassination in November 1963, faced the twin issues of the Vietnam War and racial unrest. The war so mired President Johnson and tore apart the country that, in March 1968, Johnson announced that he would not run for reelection. And then, just four days later, as if to ensure that America would remain in strife through the election, black civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Coming after years of bloody civil rights battles and documented police brutality, King’s murder led to protests and riots around the country. Johnson’s decision not to run for another term was already based in part in the reality that his approval rating throughout 1968 mostly hovered in the low forties range, having declined steadily from the highs of nearly 80 percent in his first few months after taking office, and was largely attributable to the Vietnam War.