Help for Activists and Operatives on the Frontlines
I know you get hit up with a ton of requests, but I hope you will consider becoming a paid subscriber to Message Box. I started this newsletter to give Democratic candidates, operatives, and activists at all levels strategic advice, polling analysis, and message guidance. This project depends entirely on support from readers. Paid subscribers receive:
Thank you. Help for Activists and Operatives on the FrontlinesHere are some resources for people trying to win this election at all levels
The idea that everyone can be a messenger is the animating principle of this newsletter (and my most recent book). Democrats need to treat our grassroots base as more than telemarketers and ATMs. A progressive, grassroots megaphone is the only way we can compete against Fox News, Facebook, and the MAGA media. Several grassroots organizations like Demcast and Civic Power of Change have taken up the mantle. The DNC recently launched a social ambassador program that puts this vision in place. But every day, I hear from Message Box readers in all levels of politics looking for resources on messaging and communications strategy. Most activists and campaign operatives working on local races have limited access to polling and strategic advice. Filling that need is why I started Message Box. I thought it would be helpful to compile accessible resources for understanding the political environment and developing political and messaging strategies. Understanding the ElectorateOpinion research comes in two forms. Quantitative, aka polls, and qualitative, aka focus groups. Smart political operatives use a blend of both to understand the political environment where the campaign is taking place. Anyone on the Internet can access more polling information than could be consumed in two lifetimes. The problem is that most of it is garbage. Even the higher-quality polls conducted by media organizations provide little actionable data. And despite historic polling errors in recent elections, most of the media refuses to invest in focus groups as a way to understand the electorate. In terms of polling, I highly recommend three organizations that are putting out strategic, statically rigorous research designed to help Democratic activists and operatives. Navigator Research is a project led by Democratic pollsters Margie Omero and Nick Gourevitch that puts out a regular cadence of research to inform Democratic messaging. I am subscribed to their email updates, and find their work to be invaluable. Data for Progress is a progressive think tank that conducts polling on day-to-day issues. A Latino-focused polling firm, Equis Research, started by two of my former Obama colleagues, does some of the best, most insightful work in the industry. For example, they recently released this analysis of the Latino headed into the midterms. Unlike polls, focus groups provide a deeper, more nuanced understanding of how voters consume and interpret political messaging. I highly recommend two podcasts. The first is The Wilderness by Jon Favreau, my Crooked Media colleague and good friend. For season three, which was recently released, Jon conducted focus groups with the most important voter cohorts in the top battleground states. The Wilderness provides a window into how voters think, which belies the vapid pundit observations on Twitter and cable (televised Twitter). The second podcast is from Sarah Longwell, the Never Trump Republican strategist and publisher at the Bulwark. The Focus Group Podcast features conversations with strategists centered around focus groups with persuadable voters in all of the key states. Both of these focus groups provide access to the information that professional political operatives use to make key decisions on strategy and messaging. What to Say and DoUnderstanding the electorate is only the first step. Here are some of the places I turn to for messaging advice, strategic insights, and ideas for activism:
This is only a sampling of possible sources; please leave other ideas in the comments for members of the Message Box community. You’re a free subscriber to The Message Box. For the full experience, become a paid subscriber. |
Older messages
How to Respond to the GOP's Crime Smear Campaign
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
The GOP wants to end the campaign making Democrats seem soft on crime, how Dems respond could decide the midterms
All (Elected) Republicans are MAGA Republicans
Friday, September 23, 2022
There are "MAGA Republicans" and "Mainstream Republican" voters, but every elected Republican is advancing the MAGA agenda.
Stuff You Should Consume - Sept 21, 2022
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Welcome to this week's edition of “Stuff You Should Consume” — a weekly email for Message Box subscribers with important and interesting political content. “Majority of Latino Voters Out of GOP
Why GOP Voters Choose A#@holes
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Cruelty is strength and compassion is weaknesses for many Republican voters.
Are the Polls Giving Dems False Hope Again?
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Pollsters and partisans are once again wondering if the polling has a pro-Dem bias
You Might Also Like
“THE ROAD TO FIEFDOM” (SHORT STORY)
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Friedrich Hayek sits at his desk, pen in hand, writing the kind of letter that cuts deeper than an apology. His sharp certainty worn blunt by watching his economic theories collide with reality. Free
Elizabeth Olsen’s Skin-Tight Mugler Dress Went Viral For The Second Time
Sunday, November 24, 2024
It's *that* good. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 11.23.2024 Elizabeth Olsen burgundy leather Mugler dress (Celebrity) Elizabeth Olsen's Skin-Tight Mugler Dress Went Viral For The Second
Do Wales, 2025.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
2 days to register ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
All the Best Deals From Amazon's Black Friday Sale (So Far)
Saturday, November 23, 2024
All the Different Bars at the Gym, Explained. Find JBL party speakers, MacBook Airs, QLED TVs, Bose headphones, and Apple Watches at their lowest prices ever. Not displaying correctly? View this
Weekend: Avoiding Thanksgiving Dinner Drama 🦃
Saturday, November 23, 2024
— Check out what we Skimm'd for you today November 23, 2024 Subscribe Read in browser Header Image Together with apple gift card But first: a present anyone would love Update location or View
Half Turkey Day
Saturday, November 23, 2024
A new way to sell a ubiquitous product? ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
"Thank God, I Glory in Thy Love!" by Frances Sargent Osgood
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Thank God, I glory in thy love, and mine! Facebook Twitter Instagram Poem-a-Day is reader-supported. Your gift today will help the Academy of American Poets continue to publish the work of 260 poets
Amazon's Black Friday Sale Just Dropped Early—Here's What We're Buying
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Prices that whisper "add to cart." The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 11.22.2024 Early Prime Days (Shopping) Amazon's Black Friday Sale Just Dropped Early—Here's What We're
Aldis Hodge Is Here to Knock the Door Down
Friday, November 22, 2024
View in Browser Men's Health SHOP MVP EXCLUSIVES SUBSCRIBE RUBEN CHAMORRO Aldis Hodge Is Here to Knock the Door Down In Prime Video's Cross, the 38-year-old puts his wide array of skills to the
Why the DOJ Wants Google to Sell Chrome (and How It Affects You)
Friday, November 22, 2024
5 Clever Ways to Use Rechargeable Bulbs. The Department of Justice's proposed penalties against Google's illegal monopoly include the sale of Chrome, the potential sale of Android, and a slew