Negative fundraising
I'm feeling a bit stymied right now... I gave a lot to the Obama campaign, and to Bernie, and I think it's crucial not just to defeat Trump but to deliver a sound thrashing.
But my email is filled with doom from everyone trying to raise funds for Democrats... "it's 2000 (or 2004) all over again" "Nate Silver says the sky is falling" etc.
This messaging is just making me feel demoralized, not energized. I'm supposed to throw money at a sinking ship? Donate out of guilt?
Whoever is doing this, please stop. When someone who is already sold sees a message and comes away less inclined to donate, there is a serious problem with the messaging. This is why Trump's faux populism sells - the message that "the other side sucks, pitch in to prevent the apocalypse" is deeply cynical (even though it's true that Trump would be a disaster) and feeds the perpetual "lesser of two evils" narrative that Clinton is now largely locked into (how often do we hear that she has the worst negatives of any candidate not named Trump?).
It's pretty simple - sell us the Clinton message. There's lots of good stuff we can all get behind! Make us feel like we're voting FOR a great candidate, not engaging in a rear-guard action holding off barbarian hordes.
And I know owe donations following this rant. I promise a donation at the national level... and I invite you to pitch me on this thread your favorite down-ballot candidate; I'll send a Sanders-standard $27 donation to the candidate named in my favorite pitch! Let's get this done and elect some great Democrats!
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