We keep hearing from TV pundits, newspaper editorials, etc. that Democrats need to unite with a single clear message for the American people in the upcoming elections. We can’t just be the anti-Trump choice, they say. I see this as a half-truth, at best. I think Democrats are really pretty unified in message. The message is affordable health care for all, make the wealthy and corporations pay their fair share, face the climate crisis head-on, a livable minimum wage, equal rights for all, commonsense gun laws, humane immigration policies, and restore America’s principled leadership in the free world. Too many ideas? The Democratic vision of America can’t be reduced easily to a catchy campaign slogan. Maybe it will have to be, since that’s how politics works. In any case, I think we can do better than, “A Better Deal”, the brainchild of Pelosi and Schumer.
There is one reductionist message that is important for Dems to unite around, in my opinion: a catchy, apropos nickname for the Trump brand. Trump has a knack for choosing simple unflattering labels for rivals that seem to stick. While on the Democratic side, we have offered up an array of creative monikers for Trump that continues to grow: Liar-in-chief, Cheeto, Rump, Don the Con, Twitter Troll, Little Donnie, Dump Trump, Trumplethinskin, Traitor, the Don, Drumpf, and on and on. It may seem trivial at first glance, but I think it’s important for Democrats to choose a label that represents the nefarious essence of Trump and sell that label. If Dems can do that, it will ring true, (and will pop up on more bumper stickers than any uninspired slogan), and will become ingrained in the public’s psyche. I suggest “Crime Boss Trump”, and for his family, the “Trump Crime Family”.
What do you think?