Winning Hearts and Minds
If the late 1970s was the Era of Malaise, one might call the early 2020s the Era of Mistrust; of our neighbors, our representatives, and our very future. Politics aside, that must change if we are to prosper.
If negative perceptions persist, it doesn’t bode well for candidates this fall who support democracy and an innovative policy agenda. As innovators, it is up to us to help dispel those perceptions and change the narrative.
Despite remaining challenges, we know there is much to celebrate about the past year and to trust about the future. As the President himself said at his Jan. 19th press conference: “We created six million new jobs, more jobs in one year than any time before. Unemployment dropped to 3.9 percent. Child poverty dropped by nearly 40 percent. And more than 210 million Americans have been vaccinated against COVID.”
When a reporter challenged that he hadn’t been able to enact his “big” legislation, the President retorted, “I got two real big ones done,” referring to the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan and the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. Real big ones, indeed.
But if that record isn’t “landing” with voters, candidates and opinion leaders need to consider the old football adage that sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Again, the President drew the contrast when he asked simply, “What are Republicans for?” While innovative candidates must be careful about being drawn into culture wars, they need to more plainly draw the contrast with voters. For instance,
- Anyone who dares to say that the Russian invasion “wouldn’t have happened before Biden” needs to be reminded that it was the previous occupant who 1) tried himself to break NATO, 2) took Putin’s “word” over U.S. intelligence regarding Russian interference in our own democracy, and 3) literally tried to withhold Congressionally approved military aid to Ukraine in exchange for a “favor.” Make no mistake, this President’s global leadership is the lynchpin in the free world’s response to a murderous dictator that the previous occupant often praised. America leading a willing wartime coalition bodes well for its continued world leadership on future matters such as climate and trade. Those are American interests.
- The President’s opponents who called for him to cut off Russian oil exports while simultaneously blaming him for higher fuel prices have engaged in the most cynical theater. We should call them on it. Americans may be paying higher prices at the pump, but prices have risen around the world and are far higher in other developed countries. And it needs to be said: Americans are not paying with their lives like the Ukrainians.
- Likewise, many Republicans who railed against the infrastructure bill as “wasteful spending” see no contradiction in now taking credit when money tied to that bill finds its way to their state or district to fix a bridge. When they claim credit for good things that they actually voted against, we should call them on it.
- Where once members of both parties agreed on the nation’s problems but differed on how to solve them, now one side has created a poisonous culture that rejects any and every attempt to organize our society as “socialism.” They blame “Washington” for creating our problems, while campaigning for a Washington job so they can do precisely nothing to address those problems. Innovative candidates must articulate exactly how they would help real Americans: Instead of “Build Back Better,” let’s talk about raising families’ living standards through better childcare support and lower drug prices.
In short, the leadership of this Administration and the vision for a prosperous future constitute a great platform for candidates, if they speak about it in terms that make sense to voters and address their mistrust.
Messaging is important, but the key to winning midterm races is turnout, plain and simple. The historic jump in Presidential voter turnout to 66 percent in 2020 put Joe Biden in office. While midterms turnout usually hovers around 40 percent, the “blue wave” surge in 2018 to more than 50 percent led to a pickup of 41 seats in the House. And so: Nothing matters more than getting each and every 2020 voter onboard and voting again.
While we as innovators can’t drive 81 million voters to the polls, there is a lot we can do. First, we can financially support organizations that help to get out the vote. (Of course, you should consider Innovators For Democracy to be one of those – Please click and donate! You should also consider party organizations like the DNC, DSCC, and the DCCC (which is targeting “Frontline” priority House races) who partner with IFD. And don’t forget affinity groups like The Next 50, which supports young candidates in competitive races. Beyond contributing, volunteer voter activation opportunities are available through Mobilize and Activate America.
The point is, don’t wait; these groups and innovative candidates need your help right now, not just in November.
In his State of the Union address, President Biden said now is the time for saving democracy. While in context he was referring to Ukraine, that call to action is relevant to our own American democracy. As the war in Europe unfolds, let us not forget about how much is still at stake — and literally up for grabs — in this election year.
What We’re Reading
- New Hope for Build Back Better Proposals? — E&E News (article)
- SEC Proposes Rules on Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Corporate Climate Risk Disclosure — SEC official site (news release)
- Carbon Emissions Hit New High in 2021 — Axios (news article)
- “Clean Power” Case Could Impact Government’s Power to Regulate Climate Change — SCOTUS Blog (news analysis)
- Senators Propose Cryto Currency Regulatory Framework — Politico (news article)
- OPINION: “Red States” Gain From ‘Socialist’ Federal Spending — Newsweek (op-ed)