The key thing Obama understood about presidential elections is that most voters aren't policy wonks. They want a candidate that makes them feel good.
Yes, they want to know where you stand on issues, but they don't need to see your binders and equations.
Yes, they want to know where you stand on issues, but they don't need to see your binders and equations.
In fact, if your policy papers are too detailed and have everything mapped out too quick, it can backfire.
The opposition will cherry pick and spin the scary sounding parts, and if you do win, when Congress passes the bill, your own side will attack the parts you compromised on.
The opposition will cherry pick and spin the scary sounding parts, and if you do win, when Congress passes the bill, your own side will attack the parts you compromised on.
Think about it. Do you remember any specific policy papers from the Obama campaign? Any at all?
Of course not. You remember "Change we can believe in." You remember health care, climate change, end the Iraq War, but you don't remember him releasing a 50-page how-to manual.
Of course not. You remember "Change we can believe in." You remember health care, climate change, end the Iraq War, but you don't remember him releasing a 50-page how-to manual.
I think Democrats right now are overestimating how much voters want to see exactly how they will regulate copays or leveraged buyouts.
They want to hear a one sentence pitch on jobs and health care and, more generally, how the fear and anger they've felt under Trump will end.
They want to hear a one sentence pitch on jobs and health care and, more generally, how the fear and anger they've felt under Trump will end.
I think that's why Joe Biden's candidacy has stubbornly refused to fade no matter how often his opponents or political journalists expect it to.
He may be gaffe-prone. But in a very real way, he is reading the room better than the other candidates on what voters want to hear.
He may be gaffe-prone. But in a very real way, he is reading the room better than the other candidates on what voters want to hear.
