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Following significant defeats in the 2024 elections, Democratic representatives are pushing for a strategic shift in media engagement, suggesting increased participation in conservative media outlets to prevent further voter alienation and maintain political influence, according to Axios.
Democrat lawmakers are advocating for a comprehensive media approach after their electoral setbacks. The strategy involves engaging with conservative outlets like Newsmax and various podcasts to expand their messaging reach and challenge Republican perspectives.
People saying Harris should have done Joe Rogan are missing the point. That wouldn’t have helped her.
Liberals need to BUILD THEIR OWN JOE ROGAN. Somebody who can speak to the people he speaks to, without being a guy who wants to kiss ass to billionaires like Elon Musk.
— Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) November 6, 2024
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., stated, “If half the country is watching, and we gotta win 50% plus one, how can you reach anybody when you’re not talking where they go?” This view highlights Democrats’ growing recognition that conventional media tactics may be insufficient in today’s divided media environment.
Democrats have traditionally gravitated toward sympathetic media outlets such as MSNBC and CNN, where interviews tend to be more accommodating and less challenging.
The Republicans’ sweeping victories in the 2024 presidential and congressional races have prompted Democrats to reconsider their communication approach.
Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., told Axios, “If we have confidence in our message, we should be prepared to take our message to every corner of the ecosystem — including in politically hostile environments.”
Democrats are drawing lessons from President-elect Trump’s successful 2024 campaign strategy, which included appearances on traditionally unfriendly networks like ABC News and active engagement with younger audiences through digital platforms.
Meanwhile, many Democratic campaigns limited themselves to friendly media outlets with declining viewership, missing opportunities to influence swing voters.
Rep. Jared Golden, who won reelection in a Trump-dominated Maine district, emphasizes the importance of local media engagement.
“You’ve got to contest every corner,” Golden remarked. “Otherwise, all they hear is what’s said about you by the other side.”
This shift isn’t entirely new for Democrats. During Trump’s first term, several 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls, including Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg, participated in Fox News town halls, successfully communicating Democratic policies to conservative viewers.
Dems mad they ‘got killed in alternative media’ as they seek to replicate TPUSA, Daily Wire—which were created in response to leftists’ stranglehold on culturehttps://t.co/3NDtpE1E78
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) November 28, 2024
Progressive Democrats are also warming to this broader media strategy. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., endorses maximum media engagement, stating, “As much engagement as possible is good.” Rep. Becca Balint, D-Vt., believes her progressive perspective and identity could resonate with conservative audiences.
However, some Democrats remain doubtful. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, noted, “People that watch Fox News have their minds made up about the type of rhetoric that they want to listen to.”
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., emphasized, “We need to speak to people who don’t consume news as a hobby.”
