David..thanks for your article. I like the idea of the Kitchen Table Network. I am so excited by how much thoughtful writing is on Substack. Look forward to seeing moreftom you.
Unless and until Dems consider very real possibility this election was hacked w help from Russia, Musk and tech what Dems do between now and whenever won’t matter. I’m sorry but a narcissist like T would never submit to a free or fair election and risk a humiliating loss and we are all being gaslighted by Biden admin who refuses to act on open collaboration between T Musk and Putin
In retrospect, it seems clear that we're not going to defeat the patriarchy by using the tools of the patriarchy. Organic, on-the-ground, at-the-kitchen-table conversations and explanations are the more likely path.
It's old advice. We need to be involved and actually make it a priority. We have to care enough to take action in the small and steady ways. Engagement. Conversation. Self-awareness. And continuing critical thinking and self-education.
I am almost all done watching msnbc totally. As a longtime msnbc watcher I turned on morning joe and for the second day they are peddling b s immigration propaganda and barnacle was placing blame on joe Biden. The Republicans have had many years to address the border ....in fact a few months ago a bipartisan committee put forth a possible fix ....but dictator trump told them no he wanted it to hang so he could run on it . So that kind of capitulation has turned me off of morning joe and other shows on msnbc. ALL DONE . GOOD BYE
It is vital that Democrats expose the failure of the corrupt red states to meet the needs of their residents. Most of the worst performances in healthcare, education & poverty are in red states who have had a lock on all 3 branches of their governments. The Republicans performed well in the election because they have been running a successful psyop against the American people. We have to counter that. First you have to acknowledge that a psyop is happening.
Great article. I think the problem was that Harris and Biden were tone deaf and never really listened or responded to R talking points. Commentators repeatedly said she was not even answering questions and her defenders seemed to be ok with that. Not so esoteric.
I respectfully disagree, JBR. I think she is the most talented campaigner Democrats have had for years; smart and serious and knows when to turn serious. When she does, nobody is left uncertain about what her positions are. Do not know who those commentators you speak of are, but I think they’re wrong or, less honorably, are shockingly disingenuous. I thought her campaign managers would be good, but maybe what worked in the Obama era doesn’t now. They might’ve directed her not to concentrate on R talking points. If so, I think that was correct. Responding to such a devious and accomplished liar who is essentially trolling us full-time on his own behalf doesn’t seem wise. VP Harris does not qualify for sainthood, but she is very good. I think we lost because there are millions of Americans whose critical thinking skills fall short of those of an average sixth-grader and who can’t spot the difference between a lunatic and a talented leader.
We're all mystified by the evident failure of the Democratic Party to communicate effectively with voters. With regard to the communication barriers that the party faces, I think a NewYorker.com article published on November 13 warrants consideration. See Nathan Heller, "Republican Victory and the Ambience of Information."
Will it be called "The Kitchen Table"? I'd love to see comparisons of prices of produce in Berkeley's two store chain (Berkeley Bowl) and oh, say, Kansas? You know, like two weeks ago I bought two boxes of strawberries in Berkeley Bowl West's Bargain Room for $1.99 a box. Okay, so they weren't organic, but for the beginning of November and Democratic California, the land of great and cheap produce, they were great. Or an interview with the butchers at the market, saying the best hamburger ever comes from Marin County and costs $11.00 a pound. No? Well, once you've eaten it, you can't eat Safeway's anymore. No? Well, I'm trying. Or, how come we didn't experience empty shelves with no toilet paper? Oh, we shopped small independent stores whose shelves were always full. Well, of course, Berkeley Bowl is huge, but organic type stores are small. Did I miss the point?
I agree with your points. But I think it is time for a major overhaul or even a new party that goes back to fundamentals. New faces, diversity in geography, more focus on basic issues, diversity in gender, race and everything else. We now actually have a trans member of Congress. It can be done. We need grassroots education of voters. Professor Dbinga or W. Akamai Bell have a lot of experience with community activism, as does Substacker Jess Piper. We need voices like these.
EVERY red small town and rural area needs to be reached in significant numbers and in consequential ways. Most people in these areas watch their local news and Fox News. Years ago Putin’s strategy was to go to these rural areas and towns in Russia because he knew the educated populations in the big cities weren’t voting for him. What are we doing in the media to reach these people?
It is critical, as you say, David, that the Dems need to learn how to communicate to as large a number of voters as possible, and to do so in a manner that develops and maintains trust.
We are paying the price now for the failure of elected Democrats, the DNC and the administration itself to promote President Biden's amazing accomplishments to the electorate in a manner that they could grasp.
Of course, we will also have to tackle the issue of how to counter the daily disinformation that is disseminated on social media to a large swath of voters who cannot be bothered to do more than glance at the screens of their cell phones.
I hope I am wrong, but I suspect we haven't reached the bottom yet.
"Naturally, this new “Kitchen Table Network” that Dems should create—which Dem funders need to back..." How can we get the Dem funders to back this network? Go to them hat in hand?
Stacey Abrams did this in Georgia. Why does no one ask her?
David..thanks for your article. I like the idea of the Kitchen Table Network. I am so excited by how much thoughtful writing is on Substack. Look forward to seeing moreftom you.
David. Ask Makenzie Bezos ex wife
Unless and until Dems consider very real possibility this election was hacked w help from Russia, Musk and tech what Dems do between now and whenever won’t matter. I’m sorry but a narcissist like T would never submit to a free or fair election and risk a humiliating loss and we are all being gaslighted by Biden admin who refuses to act on open collaboration between T Musk and Putin
In retrospect, it seems clear that we're not going to defeat the patriarchy by using the tools of the patriarchy. Organic, on-the-ground, at-the-kitchen-table conversations and explanations are the more likely path.
It's old advice. We need to be involved and actually make it a priority. We have to care enough to take action in the small and steady ways. Engagement. Conversation. Self-awareness. And continuing critical thinking and self-education.
Well said!
I am almost all done watching msnbc totally. As a longtime msnbc watcher I turned on morning joe and for the second day they are peddling b s immigration propaganda and barnacle was placing blame on joe Biden. The Republicans have had many years to address the border ....in fact a few months ago a bipartisan committee put forth a possible fix ....but dictator trump told them no he wanted it to hang so he could run on it . So that kind of capitulation has turned me off of morning joe and other shows on msnbc. ALL DONE . GOOD BYE
We’re trying to do the same thing, but old habits die hard!
It is vital that Democrats expose the failure of the corrupt red states to meet the needs of their residents. Most of the worst performances in healthcare, education & poverty are in red states who have had a lock on all 3 branches of their governments. The Republicans performed well in the election because they have been running a successful psyop against the American people. We have to counter that. First you have to acknowledge that a psyop is happening.
No more of this high road bullshit. Fight fire with fire more fire and the facts
I agree, too, and you have put it very well.
Agree
Great article. I think the problem was that Harris and Biden were tone deaf and never really listened or responded to R talking points. Commentators repeatedly said she was not even answering questions and her defenders seemed to be ok with that. Not so esoteric.
I respectfully disagree, JBR. I think she is the most talented campaigner Democrats have had for years; smart and serious and knows when to turn serious. When she does, nobody is left uncertain about what her positions are. Do not know who those commentators you speak of are, but I think they’re wrong or, less honorably, are shockingly disingenuous. I thought her campaign managers would be good, but maybe what worked in the Obama era doesn’t now. They might’ve directed her not to concentrate on R talking points. If so, I think that was correct. Responding to such a devious and accomplished liar who is essentially trolling us full-time on his own behalf doesn’t seem wise. VP Harris does not qualify for sainthood, but she is very good. I think we lost because there are millions of Americans whose critical thinking skills fall short of those of an average sixth-grader and who can’t spot the difference between a lunatic and a talented leader.
We're all mystified by the evident failure of the Democratic Party to communicate effectively with voters. With regard to the communication barriers that the party faces, I think a NewYorker.com article published on November 13 warrants consideration. See Nathan Heller, "Republican Victory and the Ambience of Information."
Will it be called "The Kitchen Table"? I'd love to see comparisons of prices of produce in Berkeley's two store chain (Berkeley Bowl) and oh, say, Kansas? You know, like two weeks ago I bought two boxes of strawberries in Berkeley Bowl West's Bargain Room for $1.99 a box. Okay, so they weren't organic, but for the beginning of November and Democratic California, the land of great and cheap produce, they were great. Or an interview with the butchers at the market, saying the best hamburger ever comes from Marin County and costs $11.00 a pound. No? Well, once you've eaten it, you can't eat Safeway's anymore. No? Well, I'm trying. Or, how come we didn't experience empty shelves with no toilet paper? Oh, we shopped small independent stores whose shelves were always full. Well, of course, Berkeley Bowl is huge, but organic type stores are small. Did I miss the point?
I agree with your points. But I think it is time for a major overhaul or even a new party that goes back to fundamentals. New faces, diversity in geography, more focus on basic issues, diversity in gender, race and everything else. We now actually have a trans member of Congress. It can be done. We need grassroots education of voters. Professor Dbinga or W. Akamai Bell have a lot of experience with community activism, as does Substacker Jess Piper. We need voices like these.
EVERY red small town and rural area needs to be reached in significant numbers and in consequential ways. Most people in these areas watch their local news and Fox News. Years ago Putin’s strategy was to go to these rural areas and towns in Russia because he knew the educated populations in the big cities weren’t voting for him. What are we doing in the media to reach these people?
Curious why you mention taking back the House but not the Senate?
It is critical, as you say, David, that the Dems need to learn how to communicate to as large a number of voters as possible, and to do so in a manner that develops and maintains trust.
We are paying the price now for the failure of elected Democrats, the DNC and the administration itself to promote President Biden's amazing accomplishments to the electorate in a manner that they could grasp.
Of course, we will also have to tackle the issue of how to counter the daily disinformation that is disseminated on social media to a large swath of voters who cannot be bothered to do more than glance at the screens of their cell phones.
I hope I am wrong, but I suspect we haven't reached the bottom yet.
"Naturally, this new “Kitchen Table Network” that Dems should create—which Dem funders need to back..." How can we get the Dem funders to back this network? Go to them hat in hand?