Closing Argument
The cast of Hamilton sings for voters to show up on Tuesday
Political campaigning is a process of getting a candidate’s message across. Events often control how that message is delivered, and campaigns often “go negative” to try to knock down their opponent. Outside groups are particularly willing to do that, and may do it up to the day of the election.
But for the actual campaign in the last two weeks, there comes a time to make their closing argument; the last concept they want the voters to take into the polling booth with them. Here in Florida, Rick Scott, Republican for Senate, has found his phrase – “let’s get to work,” to capsulize his candidacy. It works. His Democratic opponent, Bill Nelson, has a “muddier” closer, something like “…I’ll work for Florida, not for Trump.” We will see how that turns out.
So what should be the “closing argument” for the national Democratic Party in 2018?
President Franklin Roosevelt has the answer, from his inaugural address in 1933. It was the depths of the Great Depression, unemployment was over 20%, and many Americans felt there were no answers in our Democracy.
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.
“…Fear…unreasoning, unjustified terror…”has been used to pursue the Republican political agenda. Fear: of brown people massing at the border, of the shooter in the school and the church, of gays and minorities and all those who are “different.” A “Trumpian” friend described it as trying to stay “small,” not become a target. Stay in your home, don’t go “downtown” where “things are different.” Keep your door locked, and your gun loaded.
The Republican closing argument, made by the President with OUR aircraft, Air Force One in the background, is Fear. Democrats represent “mob rule” by “Antifa” anarchists, 6000 MS-13 gangsters are headed here in the caravan; we need to send the Army to the border, we need to load our AR-15’s. And if the media calls him on “truth,” it’s “fake news.” “Don’t believe what you see or hear in the media, believe what I tell you.”
Barack Obama is trying to counter the argument with “hope.” Hope is working together to find solutions to problems rather than quivering behind closed doors. And while neither Trump nor Obama is on the ballot tomorrow, Democrats throughout the country are closing with by saying Democrats can solve problems.
Democrats don’t need to be afraid, they can “get the job done.” They can protect health care, protect the environment, protect social security and Medicare. And they can do it without the “fear mongering” and hatred that the “Trump Circus” requires.
That’s the Democrats’ closer: don’t fear, work together to get the job done.
In his inaugural, Roosevelt called on the historical belief that in crisis, Americans would give their leaders the “…understanding and support…which is essential to victory.” Democrats don’t need fear to gain support: they need sleeves rolled up, sweat on the brow, get to work Americans to turn from fear and solve problems.
In the election tomorrow the choice is stark: fear or future. Democrats cannot be “paralyzed be fear” and trepidation of what the results might show. Unlike 2016, they need to boldly go out and vote: and if they do – they will “get the job done.”
The problem is, at least based on what we’re hearing, Democrats do not seem to be conveying The Message of Roosevelt or Obama as you described. They seem to be stuck on “preexisting conditions” is a main issue. That could be a big mistake. The vast majority of people have health insurance through their employer, and believe that as long as they stay with that employer, they are covered. If the Dems fail to win big, the lack of a strong fundamental message may be the cause.
This reminds us of Groucho Marx’ answer when asked for his party affiliation. He said, “I am not a member of any organized political party. You see, I am a Democrat”.