Simplicity
“The Democratic Party doesn’t stand for anything clear. The Republican party in today’s world stands for tax cuts, stands for anti-immigration, and stands for building a wall. It’s really that simple for them. The Democrats need to stand for something clear, simple, and easy. It needs to fit on a Post-It Note.” —Robert, The Wilderness Podcast
Here are some words that, in our opinion, illustrate Republican vs. Democratic messaging:
| REPUBLICANS | DEMOCRATS |
|---|---|
| Simple | Elite |
| Clear | Muddy |
| Black & White | Nuanced |
| Bold | Incremental |
| Audacious | Careful |
| Emotional | Intellectual |
| Heart | Head |
This is not a statement about the Democratic Party’s values, it’s an assessment of our content. Donald Trump is a pathological liar, yet he is deemed “authentic” by his supporters. Why? Because being simple, clear, bold, emotional and audacious feels authentic. Whereas complicated, nuanced, incremental, and careful feels… distrustful. Is it possible to trust someone whose message you don’t understand?
Democratic Party messaging should be simple, clear, and infused with our purpose and values. This is a strategy implemented through creative tactics.