An open letter to Tim Ryan; Nan Whaley; Joe Biden; + the DNC:

I am a Democrat because currently their platform most closely aligns with my political and spiritual views. 

 

I offer you unsolicited advice on winning. 

 

1.     Be who you say you are. Be a person of convictions. Really. So, this probably won’t help in winning, probably the opposite, but being decent, and not a gross opportunist, will help you (and us). If you don’t know why it helps you, then please have a talk with yourself.

2.     Study the inspirational leaders of history. Study their speeches. Get a speech coach. Get a vocal coach. Work on intonation and projection. Keep it short.

3.     Have great speech writers who understand audiences. Vet the crap out of your speeches. 

4.     Take control of the narrative. There’s the saying that “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.” Probably not true for a politician but it makes the point that you need media attention. Do things. Be bold. Add the luster of star power to your appearances. Reach out to the high-profile figures. Ride a motorcycle around a county. Play a saxophone. Be the DJ at your campaign rally. Don’t be afraid to be a dork. Laugh at the haters. Laugh at yourself. Think about the timeline leading up to the election. Go on all the talk shows. Seth Meyers AND Tucker Carlson. Take (some) lessons from Pete Buttigieg. He’s pretty good at controlling a conversation. 

5.     BE BOLD. Come out forcefully for the things you believe in. Lean into them. Don’t be cautious – you’re the underdog (always) – act like it. Come out swinging. Try to avoid ad hominem attacks. Go in hard on issues of substance. Speak in clear, short, sound bites. Find your talking points and stick to them. 

6.     Don’t just speak to your base. Go out and meet and talk to those who are never going to vote for you. For these instances, have a speech writer who understands these audiences. Your efforts will pay future rewards as well as undercutting the emotional buttons your opponents will push in order to fire up their base. 

7.     It’s Bread and Circuses. It’s Bread and Circuses. It’s Bread and Circuses. 

8.     In the name of all that is holy – TAKE CONTROL OF THE F**KING NARRATIVE.

9.     Again, and with feeling – TAKE CONTROL OF THE F**KING NARRATIVE.

 

Sincerely,

A super frustrated Dem who really wants you to win.