Strategist Cornell Belcher argues that the Dems need to engage the culture war
Crises and events have controlled the Biden White House — instead of the White House controlling them.
That’s the big conclusion from the reporting by NBC’s Carol E. Lee, Peter Nicholas, Kristen Welker and Courtney Kube on a president and team who are frustrated they can’t catch a break; annoyed that they weren’t told sooner about things like the baby-formula shortage; and angry the president’s low approval ratings rival Donald Trump’s.
And it raises the question: Instead of constantly playing defense, why isn’t the White House going on offense?
Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher proposes one place where Biden and Democrats can take the fight to Republicans, rather than the other way around.
Make the upcoming elections about “the angry mom” — on issues like gun violence and abortion.
“If this is not the year of the angry mom, I don’t know what’s going to be the year of the angry mom, right?” Belcher said on “Meet the Press” last Sunday.
He continued, “I think there’s an opportunity for Democrats — if Democrats make this election about anything except what’s happening in our schools, and what’s happening, sort of, these mass shootings, and a woman’s right to take care of her body.”
When your traditional plays are failing to score points — whether it’s on the economy, immigration, or the legislative effort formerly known as “Build Back Better” — it’s time to draw up some new plays.
And speaking of new plays and “the angry mom,” check out this new ad by Democrat Stacey Abrams in Georgia’s gubernatorial race.
“For years, Brian Kemp has taken Georgia backwards. He put us backwards on guns and law enforcement — and made it easier for criminals to carry guns in public. He rolled back women’s rights, vowing to make abortion a crime with 10 years in prison,” the Abrams ad goes.
Maybe some of those resistance groups can be mobilized? I don’t know. It seems like it’s getting pretty late. Still, with guns and abortion going to the top of the list maybe it will just happen spontaneously. I hope so.