Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to former President Barack Obama, said there’s nothing bad about the recent trend of calling Republicans “kooks,” but it’s not the Democratic Party’s “secret sauce.”
“Does calling MAGA Republicans weirdo actually sway voters?” Pfeiffer Written in the newsletter Message box. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we haven’t found the secret sauce yet.”
He also pointed to a recent survey in which voters were shown various videos of Democrats calling Republicans, including former President Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), “wacky.” The messages did not significantly affect voters’ voting choices, he said.
Vice President Harris’ campaign and Democratic allies have latched onto the idea of calling her opponent a crank.
Her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), may have been the one who started it: He called Vance’s comments about “childless, cat-loving women” odd, and Democrats have since condoned the remarks.
“There’s nothing wrong with this message, but it doesn’t move the race in our direction,” Pfeiffer wrote.
Trump and Vance largely ignored the “bizarre comment,” and even threw it back at Harris and Waltz.
The adviser to former President Barack Obama also pointed to the 2020 ads, warning Democrats not to be fooled by messages that may not be receptive to persuadable voters.
He said now is the time to educate the public about Harris’ background.
“Nothing is more important than letting voters know who Kamala Harris is, what she stands for, and what she will do as president,” Pfeiffer concluded. “That’s what will decide whether this race is won or lost.”
