A Winning Message for Democrats: "I am a Democrat"

by: Matt Stoller

Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 10:09:26 AM EDT

Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama included Democrat in their first ad in Iowa. Well let's fully digest the numbers.

The March poll from the Pew Research Center showed that 50 per cent of Americans identify as Democrats while only 35 per cent say they are Republican. The June NBC-Wall Street Journal poll showed 52 per cent of Americans would prefer a Democratic president while only 31 per cent would support a Republican, the largest gap in the 20-year history of the survey.

I'm not particularly alarmed about the two top contenders not using the party label in their first ads, as this is a Democratic primary so voters do know what party they are in. I don't want this to become a trend though, and I hope to see party self-identification become a core part of the Democratic message. 50% to 35% is a good starting point for anyone, and we need our party leaders to set a good example that it is a good thing to call yourself a Democrat.

Matt Stoller :: A Winning Message for Democrats: "I am a Democrat"

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A Winning Message for Democrats: "I am a Democrat" | 7 comments

Self-Identification or Party-Identification (0.00 / 0)

This obsession with using the word Democrat has been bandied about enough to I guess be something that is a concern for a number of people, but I think it comes from a type of thinking the country has left behind. Look at the numbers Matt presents. This is no longer the case where significant numbers would run from the label of Liberal or candidates felt the need to downplay their Democrat association. If Obama & Clinton were trying to be somehow less of a Democrat in the ads perhaps there would be cause for concern. But neither candidate needs to prove they're a Democrat - does anyone question Clinton after all the right-wing attacks she endured during Bill's term that anyone views her as anything but a Democrat? And even the least cynical voter would know a Black man running for President - Democrat. So what's the point? Far from running away from self-identification both ads appeal to Party-identification, what if the country was united not divided, what if the government cared for those who the Bush administration has made invisible? This is what the Democrat party stands for. Both candidates quite rightfully are looking to expand the party beyond a 50% identification number and the way to do that is not to say I'm a Democrat and you're not. Instead they are setting forth values common to all of us and identifying that as what it is to be a Democrat.

by: DD2 @ Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 09:57:58 AM CDT

by: you @ soon

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Rest assured, they'll be back to... (0.00 / 0)

..."I'm not a Republican" just as soon as the general election gets going.

Where are the strong - in whom I have trusted?

by: SpitBall @ Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 13:42:52 PM CDT

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Edwards constantly refers to the Democratic Party (4.00 / 4)

The phrase that he uses is "My party, the Democratic party is for....."

He has worked hard to promote the brand and should be applauded for doing so.

by: pioneer @ Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 14:04:50 PM CDT

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As Markos said on MTP, (4.00 / 1)

we need Proud Democrats. Obama has an ad with a Republican endorsing him in Iowa. Both hide from the Democratic label.

This year, the Democrat from the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party -- hell the one who is not afraid to be an old-time Democrat -- is John Edwards.

I understand you do not like John Edwards. That's unfortunate, because Obama and Clinton are not Proud Democrats, as you notice in your post.

by: Tom Wells @ Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 14:18:40 PM CDT

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exactly (4.00 / 1)

that MTP interview is exactly what came to my mind when i read this interesting post about the word Democrat.

maybe the candidates are expecting that pride to be communicated through the grassroots. i don't know. (but if they are, it begs the question: shouldn't they demonstrate that pride themselves?)

maybe such grassroots-level partisan pride will percolate up to the candidates like obama and clinton in time

http://www.isebrand.com and http://www.religiousrightwatch.com

by: IseFire @ Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 14:05:20 PM CDT

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Edwards in Virginia -- Raising Money and Visibility for State Candidates (0.00 / 0)

John Edwards recently was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser hosted by Brian Moran, Democratic (Minority) Caucus Chair for the Virginia candidates for the state House of Delegates. Moran hasn't come out in support of Edwards, and it's possible he won't.

Edwards came for one reason: to help turn Virginia blue(r) now. He understands the need to help Democratic candidates at all levels, and is committed to doing that. He shows his commitment in the best way possible - by raising funds but also by drawing others into the process.

When John Edwards speaks, he leaves no doubt that he is talking about "my party, the Democratic party..."

by: edgery @ Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 15:18:46 PM CDT

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well (0.00 / 0)

all of the candidates raise money for other Democrats. Obama was probably the most aggressive (or, in combination, most sought after) in this arena in 2006. Also, Edwards hasn't been saying "Democrat" in his commercials either. Same standards for everybody...

by: Max Fletcher @ Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 00:02:57 AM CDT

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