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Democrats Spend $20 Million to Win Back Working-Class Men, but Efforts May Fall Flat

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Democrats have been pouring millions of dollars into efforts to win back working-class men, who overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump in the last election. According to a New York Times report, the party has invested $20 million in its efforts to appeal to this demographic, which it sees as crucial to its electoral success. The plan, code-named SAM, or "Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan," aims to study the language and content that resonates with working-class men and use this information to develop effective messaging.

Key Takeaways:

  • Democrats have spent $20 million on efforts to win back working-class men, with donors and strategists brainstorming ways to convince them to return to the party.
  • The plan, SAM, recommends using social media analytics to study the syntax, language, and content that gains attention and virality in the spaces where working-class men interact.
  • The effort also suggests buying advertisements in video games and other platforms where working-class men are likely to engage.
  • Democrats believe that shifting from a moralizing tone to a more conversational approach will help them win back working-class men.
  • According to a recent poll, 40% of Americans approve of President Trump's overall handling of the presidency, while 56% disapprove, putting him 16 points underwater.
  • Longtime Democratic researcher Anat Shenker-Osorio emphasizes the need for the party to take action and earn back voters, rather than simply engaging in navel-gazing.

Statistics:

  • Democrats have spent $20 million on their efforts to win back working-class men.
  • 40% of Americans approve of President Trump's overall handling of the presidency.
  • 56% of Americans disapprove of President Trump's overall handling of the presidency.
  • 16 points underwater - the margin by which Trump's disapproval rating exceeds his approval rate.
  • Recent polling places Trump underwater on every single issue, except border security.

Sources:

  • New York Times
  • Strength in Numbers/Verasight (polling data)
  • Zac McCrary (Democratic pollster)
  • Anat Shenker-Osorio (longtime Democratic researcher)

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