The Democratic Party Has an 'MSNBC Problem'

[babylonsister]

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/the-democratic-party-has-an-msnbc-problem.html

May 16, 2018 8:35 am
The Democratic Party Has an ‘MSNBC Problem’
By Eric Levitz


Leaning away from red America.

“The Democrats need to stop obsessing about Trump and Russia, and start talking about the bread-and-butter issues that matter to ordinary people.” Since Donald Trump took office, that sentiment has been a refrain for the party’s leading critics on both the left and right. It is also fundamentally unfair.

In truth, the Democratic Party is quite focused on promoting a progressive critique of the GOP’s positions on taxes, health care, and social spending, because it knows that Republicans are deeply vulnerable on those issues. MSNBC, CNN, and the broader mainstream media, however, are obsessed with the White House’s myriad scandals – because they know that a federal investigation into the American president’s potential ties to the Kremlin (and/or porn stars and/or white-collar crime) is ratings gold — while daily broadcasts reiterating the regressive implications of the GOP’s tax law and health-care plans would be anything but.

If you get your news from Democratic Twitter accounts, then you might well think that the biggest “scandal” in American politics right now is the Republican Party’s war on the middle class.

But if you get your news from cable television — or secondhand from friends and family who watch cable news — then you will think that “Russia-gate” is the Democratic Party’s central concern; because that is just about the only thing that cable news channels invite Democratic officeholders to go on television to discuss. As the Daily Beast reports:

Eager to move a message that focuses on things like minimum wage hikes and health care premiums, [Democrats] have been overtaken by a steady stream of stories of Russian meddling, porn star payoffs, and shady Trump-world figures. Ultimately, many offices and aides have come to the conclusion that they should simply give up on trying to break through on cable news at all.

“It’s impossible,” said one Senate aide, “unless you want to talk about Russia.”

more...

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/the-democratic-party-has-an-msnbc-problem.html

[vi5]

1. Agreed.....

I wouldn't pin this issue entirely on MSNBC, but there is truth to it.

We shouldn't let them off the hook on Russia but as many people on here said time and time again during the Obama years: we can focus on more than one thing at a time.

Problem is it doesn't always seem like we are doing that.

[dawg]

2. From the title, I thought I was going to disagree with this article, but ...

I think Levitz gets it right.

Democrats *are* addressing the issues. It's just that no one in the media cares.

[EffieBlack]

16. This

Just like the way the media kept saying Hillary wasn’t talking about these issues - yet whenever she talked about them, they cut away because they thought it was boring and went back to their panels talking about her emails.

[Roy Rolling]

47. The True Reason

That's so true. They are called "commercial networks" for a reason. They aren't there to inform out of the goodness of their heart, they exist to sell advertising space around content.

They will always err on the side where the money is. It's TV, for God's sake. It should REFLECT our values not set them. And right now the reflection is mostly American idiocracy.

[Iliyah]

3. Like before, Dems were focused on issues that America cared about.

But, corporate media focused on HRC's e-mails and everything negative and Russia's propaganda.

[bearsfootball516]

4. I think there's something to be said about that.

Not that we should just ignore the Russia investigation, but that’s not what is going to drive Democrats and independents to the polls. There are 6 months before the midterms, so it’s time to start pounding policy.

[DemoHack]

5. Let's win back the House with....

Bread-n-butter issues (and at least not lose seats in the Senate).

THEN, hopefully with a thorough report from Mueller, we consider impeachment in 2019.

Or just have Biden (or "your choice" here) kick his bloated, greedy ass in 2020.

[unblock]

6. i actually don't really think we should overly focus on "bread and butter" issues.

there's only one issue that matters at this point.

do you want a democracy based on the rule of law or an authoritarian borderline dictatorship when the law is whatever republicans can get away with?

everything else follows from that. imho, it's a gating issue.

you want social justice? good luck getting that in a borderline dictatorship.
you want economic fairness? good luck getting that in a borderline dictatorship.
you want better pay and benefits? good luck getting that in a borderline dictatorship.

democrats shouldn't try to stick to a message that can't get through. if the media wants to talk about republican crimes, that's not really a bad thing for us. just turn it into a reason to vote for democrats. remind voters that democrats don't do crap like this, we're not up to our eyeballs in blatant criminal activity.

[Mopar151]

20. Focus on decency and kindness, by means of thrift and honesty.

Emphasize that it is profligate waste and "wealthfaire" that burn up the money that should be for child healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

[ollie10]

28. While I agree with your goals, there is a flaw in your logic

In order for us to take power from the borderline dictatorship, we have to win elections.

We need to focus on why we are the best party to vote for....bread and butter issues.....like health care (the Rs damaged it because they wanted so much to repeal obamacare that they didn't bother with anything to replace it with) and economic issues (the tax cuts were for the rich, the middle class didn't get much help) etc.

If we just focus on Trump, that is exactly what Trump wants.

Those who hate Trump are not going to need us to remind them of that fact. Those who love Trump will not be changed either.

Those voters out there who will decide the election.....I suspect they are tired of Trump too, and we don't need to tell them who Trump is, they are tired of him too. What we need to get to them, however, is why the Democratic Party is better for them than the Republican Party.

The only way Trump and co wins is if we ignore the issues we have a tremendous advantage on....and instead of hammering those home.....we go after the rabbit hole of focussing only on Trump

[kentuck]

38. I cannot understand this logic ...

"Those who love Trump will not be changed either."

But they will be changed by bread and butter issues? It seems like a trap to fall into any economic discussion when the unemployment rate is 3.9% and the stock market is booming when communication is obviously not a strong-point of this Democratic Party.

(If the Democrats had a consistent message, they could use healthcare, taxcuts, and even, unemployment rate against the Republicans but they seem to be lacking in communication skills.)

[ollie10]

57. My point was that focusing on Trump won't help with EITHER group

[get the red out]

7. The media does what it does

Scandal gets viewers and sells ads. I admit I am mesmerized by how utterly corrupt this administration is, I do tune in see what's come out while I was at work (or just walking the dogs). But I think most Ds can walk and chew gum at the same time. I certainly hear the important issues like healthcare being discussed in local Dem primaries, so they are on it. The Trump scandals are infuriating and entertaining, but I am beginning to think that at least some people are figuring out what they are losing personally under this administration's policies. Not necessarily Trump supporters, but people who haven't been into politics before.

[oberliner]

8. MSNBC cares about ratings

The Trump presidency has been great for said ratings. Their viewers want to see this kind of content. If they wanted to watch shows about "bread and butter issues" then that is what MSNBC would broadcast. But they know they will get more viewers with Avenatti (who they put on one or more of their shows every day) and Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump is The Worst type stories. They care about their bottom line - which is getting more viewers to watch ads.

[awesomerwb1]

9. If the media isn't showing a lot of interest in the Dem's message

then how do the Dems counter that?

1-Be smart and hire the best social media geniuses, AI marketing companies.

2-Come up with as many events as possible to promote the "Better Deal" thingy (if that's what it's called)?

Just silly suggestions.

[ollie10]

29. we need to get active with the party and get out the vote efforts

[ebbie15644]

10. I kinda agree

while I don't want the Russia investigation forgotten, I do want more reporting on issues and the candidates that will be challenging Republicans and the message they are delivering. Too obsessed with Stormy Daniels

[treestar]

11. They would be ignored for being "wonky" and "boring"

We all know that from repeated experience already.

[babylonsister]

13. Yep. Climate change falls into that category. nt

[BumRushDaShow]

45. THIS

Because ultimately, "Americans" will look at Democrats and say - "Okay, when are you going to enact these things?" and Democrats will only be able to respond by doing this --> because we do not control Congress.



As a sidenote - the last minimum wage hike over 10 years ago only got through because it was attached as a rider to a "must pass" summer supplemental appropriation (I believe to do the usual war funding). Those supplementals are now a thing of the past since the Budget Control Act.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. I don't think it's quite as bad as it's made out here...

Remember that a nobody is glued to MSNBC or CNN all day. And that news is a business-- it needs some profit to survive. Ratings=profit.

Local news is all over the place, and while people are watching get weather reports or sports scores, they will see news about factory closings, medical care and the homeless. It's not a perfect system, by far, but it's not the worst. Even with Sinclair and Fox out there, it's not at all like North Korea or, now, Turkey.

[kentuck]

14. MSNBC problem vs FOX News problem ?

No contest.

[spanone]

21. agreed 1,000,000%

[erronis]

39. One supported by viewers and ad revenues, and one with under-the-table funds transfers?

Of course, being an f'in liberal, I'll say that all of the players can be played.

If I were an f'in RW-bigot-repuglicon, I'd say that only we are the party of righteousness (and all sins can be exonerated.)

[NatBurner]

15. agree to a point- trump/russia is just the tip

of a massive iceberg

there's a shitload of corruption being ignored while we obsess over russia and stormy daniels

not to mention the declining economy, how tariffs affect farmers and harley davidson and consumers et al, how that tax cut is fucking us all etc etc

24 hrs of shows; they should be able to cover it all

[MontanaMama]

17. I wouldn't call it an MSNBC problem

But I would agree that the 24/7 coverage of the Russia nightmare needs a reset. A lesson could be taken from the 2016 election in that Dems did a lot of talking about what a horrid person tRump was, his shady business dealings and his questionable relationship with Russia on and on and on...and in the end, millions overlooked it and voted for him anyway. Even now, I know tons of people who don’t pay attention the the Russia stuff...they’re just living their lives, going to work every day, taking kids to soccer, hoping to have enough money to buy a new car, worried about paying for college etc...the things we used to think about before we had a traitor in the WH. We here on DU may not subscribe to this disconnect but denying its existence may lose us an election and we cannot afford that.

[erronis]

40. Lots of good points in there. Many of us (commentards) don't have the living-life issues.

Thanks for putting this in perspective.

[world wide wally]

18. Our #1 focus needs to be getting out the vote!

So, with that in mind, do whatever works!
We got the numbers.... Period.

[crazycatlady]

19. How many of you have canvassed or phone banked recently?

PEople that I'm talking to aren't concerned about Russia. They're concerned about how their health insurance premium went up and covers less. They're concerned that the roads they're driving on to get to work are in such disrepair that it could mean a costly car repair bill. They're concerned with gas prices.

Talk to people at the doors.

[R B Garr]

22. LOL. Google this author and see what this is really about. Bernie

is his main CONCERN.



This thinking fits the JPR website narratives -- it's so transparently contrived.

Watergate remains one of the biggest political stories of our lifetimes, yet lots of daily discussions about policy went on around that.

This author has an agenda.

[Maven]

23. False. America has a Fox News problem. nt

[mcar]

24. This nails it!

Media is wholly focused on Dotard scandals and then complains that Dems don't stand for anything.

Sound familiar? Of course, media should be reporting on R corruption, but they surely could spare a little time to report on D policies and R failures. Instead, they have their theme, as usual, and they will stick to it.

[ck4829]

25. Kick

[wryter2000]

26. Yeah, right

Treason no big deal

[Proud Liberal Dem]

27. And Republicans have a "Fox News Problem"

I may not be paying enough attention (I don't have cable) but I don't really hear too many Democrats "obsessing" about Trump/Russia. However, there are clearly matters of national importance tied into Trump/Russia and it would be negligent of them to not be concerned about it at all. This article is BS

[jalan48]

30. For the corporate media it's better to talk about Russia than the Republican's big tax breaks.

[Adrahil]

31. I hear MSNBC hosts talk about the GOP policies a lot.

But let's not underplay the Russia stuff. Our sitting President is corrupt as hell and has sold us out to hostile foreign powers.

[emulatorloo]

35. +1

[OnDoutside]

32. Well the GOP have given the Dems a great pivot point today with their renewed ACA attack.

[rurallib]

33. The seems to imply that the Democratic Party has some say in what MSNBC covers

Unlike Fox, MSNBC doesn't have a line to Dem leaders homes to discuss what to cover.

What is the Democratic Party supposed to do about it? They don't own it or program it.

Something that is not pointed out is that MSNBC is about the only cable channel (with Freespeech TV) that skews even a little left. Most of the other networks and cable newsers are right wing - not sure about CNN - it seems to dance back and forth.

[emulatorloo]

34. It is a lie to say MSNBC doesn't cover domestic policy and Dem critiques of GOP positions

Author also attempts to minimize Trump’s corruption and the threat he poses to our country.

[Butterflylady]

43. Right on!!!!!

We're flipping seats, so somebody out in TV land is watching, listening and agreeing.

[oasis]

36. MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle just had a segment on teacher's pay in NC.

The educators in that state have to go out of pocket to get school supplies for students. North Carolina ranks bottom ten in teacher salaries.

MSNBC addresses many of America's bread and butter issues and so does the Democratic Party

[DonCoquixote]

37. Trump sells media time

and MSNBC knows it..They also know that to lean away from this would mean that they have to address the very obvious flaws that both the Major Democratic campaigns showed: one wanted social justice, but wanted to make sure no one even DARED TO THINK of taking Silicon Valley, Payday Loan money and Wall Street dollars away from it. The other acted like the were Socialists, but they stank of Archie Bunker Prejudice as if they were sick and tried of hearing black people complain, even to the point of chasing half the AA voices off of this very forum. Now, for those who want me to name names, you know the TOS prevents that, even though most of you know damned well who I mean.

Both of those acted like the poor, and brown and black owed them their votes. Of course, we all know that to fail to vote AFFIRMATIVELY against the GOP is to vote for them, regardless of what Jill Stein and her bag of Rubles says. However, yes, you do need to give people something to vote FOR. Obama, for all the times we wished he leaned more left, for all the times where people like Joe Biden had to nudge him on LGBT issues until he did the right thing, gave American something to VOTE FOR, even IF it was the fact that the modern day Confederates will have to admit that America , in that moment, began to reject their vision of the nation.

No one will say that Russia does not need to be looked at, if nothing else to make sure that China does not go "hey, we can do this much better, after all, for all their Satan Bombs, Russia is a poor nation with a small population!, unlike us." But the fact is, we as a whole got caught napping, caught believing in that ultimate foolish gullibility that is the hallmark of skeptics "no one would be THAT stupid!"

[Volaris]

41. The attack message from party leadership should be this:

The Russia investigation is moving forward as it should be, and Mueller and his team have our full support. Until that investigation is complete and we have results that will require us to act in our constitutional capacity, no further discussion is required from us on this topic. Therefore, if you're going to show up to be a 'talking head', talk about all the things POLITICALLY this admin has fuckered up, and how our solutions will be better for EVERYONE.

There isn't squat the dems can do without proof of crimes to begin with, so I think they should SAY THAT.

[heaven05]

42. exactly

kudos to you.

[BaronChocula]

44. YOU STOLE MY POST IDEA...

And I love you for it. Every day we have some fairly smart people asking "can Democrats win focussing on impeachment" while I don't know of any Democrats running who are focussing on impeachment. Who's putting Chuck Todd and Co. up to this?

[Auggie]

46. Don't agree. The Democratic Party has a MARKETING problem.

Instead of waiting/reacting to Republican lies and dirty tricks they need to ceate a winning narrative and OWN IT. You can do this through P.R., news releases, press conferences, the blogging community, social media, traditional advertising, and (oh yeah) cable news. Press the story, just like repukes keep pressing the same old shit (trickle-down, etc).

[ooky]

48. I think the important thing for MSNBC is if their content motivates our voting base.

In this sense we could use some more topics besides just scandal. The scandal is important but we need as much emphasis on how/what democratic policies will be the focus of our election campaigns, aimed at undoing the destruction that has been caused by the lies and deception of Trump and Republicans. Republican voters don't watch MSNBC or care about Trump's scandals. And single issue voters like gun humpers will vote for Republicans even if the Republican candidate has horns and a pitchfork, as is the case with Republicans in general who watch nothing but their partisan shows on Fox News.What gets talked about on MSNBC, or not, only serves to motivate, or not, our own voters to a large extent.

[Mr. Ected]

49. Bullshit.

The conspiracy that placed Trump and many congressional Republicans into office was nothing short of treasonous. Unless we prove we are a country that values the rule of law, what the hell difference does it make where we stand on policy issues?

The MSNBC effect is ONLY because the rest of the media has refused to investigate and report as they should. Conspiracy to throw an election is not a Democratic issue. It is an AMERICAN issue.

Anyway, the Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time. We need to vigorously report on facts that come to light that prove a GOP conspiracy. And we need to determine a Democratic identity.

I bet the rest of the media will report as much about Democratic identity as they do the treason of Donald J. Trump. They're simply not interested.

[StarzGuy]

50. I agree

Watching evening MSNBC programs do seem to obsess over the scandal ridden Trump administration. Only time will tell whether these scandals lead to more than just the salacious nature of the reporting. Rachel does consistently remind her viewers to watch what they do not what they say especially about these scandals.

But, you really don't know what or if any of these scandals will lead to the ultimate prize of removing trump from office. Of course, things won't get any better if we are left with the god fearing Pence in trumps place.

Most of us know that Congress will not impeach trump/pence in the near term. The only hope for that to happen is if democrats take control of both houses of Congress. Even then, dems will not have enough votes in the Senate to sustain a conviction in the house.

I think the best chance might be to make things so difficult for these traitors so they simply quit and resign. Maybe a take-a-way from the Red for Ed movement is to call for a general worker strike and protest in the best way to redress our greiveances.

The real problem would be bringng together a diverse group of orgainzations to deal with this adminstration in real time.

[Raven123]

51. Absolutely true

[radical noodle]

52. All politics is local

MSNBC and CNN are national and world news sources. The midterms are about local issues, or should be. Our candidates need to get out there and talk directly to the voters about what their particular area needs. That's the only way to go in a mid-term. Besides, MSNBC and CNN are gonna do what they're gonna do and we can't change that. We couldn't change it in a presidential election with Hillary having great issues to talk about, and we can't change it now.

[The Mouth]

53. "It's the Economy"

Period.

The pocketbook issues are the one and only way the Democratic party is going to get back in power.

Not that the other stuff doesn't matter, but *nothing* matters without at least neutralizing the Republican majorities.

Race, the Environment, LGBT, the Middle East, looming theocracy, police brutality are, and always will be, secondary to how the family budget looks at the end of the month.

When we focus on what we will do and how it will help people - keeping it simple, honest, and direct and understandable by anyone- we do well. When we do well we can address all the other issues that matter.

Ideological purity, human rights, being on the right side of history doesn't mean jack shit if you don't win elections. Telling people how you're going to help their pocket book wins elections.

Yes, overly reductionist, and all due respect to people for whom the bottom line isn't more important than all other issues rolled together, but Bill Clinton nailed it for all time.

[padah513]

54. Why not focus on it all?

We can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[loyalsister]

55. Cable infotainment is not a great platform for Democrats

FOX is successful because their loyal viewers respond to propaganda and repetition without skepticism. The cable news format is at odds with viewers who crave substance.

Aside from that, the administration's efforts to discredit mainstream news outlets is working. It is not a credible challenge to center on scandal stories and call out FOX for it's lack of substance.

People are legitimately skeptical of news that comes through the internet. So, I a not sure how Dems can solve this, but Levitz has a point that does need to be addressed.

Something that seems to be helping is a serious grassroots challenge. A strong ground game that brings the message DUers believe is obvious straight to voters. Voters in my area are responding to campaigns that have one on one conversations with voters WITHOUT JUDGEMENT. The people who are persuadable see politicians as all the same. Many didn't vote because they did not like either candidate. It works best if we accept their assessment as valid and consistent with their reality. If we want them to vote for Dems, we have to convince them that there is something for them in future policy making.

[workinclasszero]

56. Seems like lots of people want Russia-gate to go away

Gee I wonder why?

[Uncle Joe]

58. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread babylonsister

[cynatnite]

59. tRump still absorbs most of the oxygen in the room...

That's why he continues to get more attention than just about anything else.

[Orsino]

60. That's a problem the nation and world have.

It's not a problem with the Democratic Party, except very indirectly and to a lesser extent than with the GOP.