Matt Gaetz is seen as a chaos agent with no regard for appropriate behavior, having been investigated by the Justice Department and facing allegations of inappropriate payments to women. His loyalty to Trump is prioritized over qualifications, raising concerns about unchecked impulses and potential harm to the DOJ.
Democrats should emphasize securing the border, lowering costs, and addressing inflation. They need to communicate effectively about policies that benefit working-class people and avoid giving the impression of unfairly favoring select groups over others.
The decline of local media has reduced the number of reporters asking tough questions and holding public officials accountable. This shift has made it easier for candidates to avoid justifying their positions and has contributed to a perception of less transparent governance.
Democrats should highlight policies that benefit farmers and increase competition in the agricultural market to ensure fair prices. They need to communicate these benefits effectively to the farming community, emphasizing support for production agriculture and market-based solutions.
RFK Jr.'s history of spreading misinformation, particularly on vaccines, is alarming. His potential role in overseeing healthcare for 150 million Americans raises serious concerns about the spread of harmful misinformation and its real-life impacts on public health.
Democrats should diversify their media presence, including going on platforms like Joe Rogan's podcast, and focus on long-form interviews. They need to be strategic about choosing messengers who can engage in normal conversations and avoid purity politics that alienate potential audiences.
The DNC chair is crucial for managing party infrastructure, fundraising, and ensuring money reaches state parties. They also play a key role in communications strategy, particularly in responding to political opponents like Trump, and need to be creative and digital-first in their approach.
The problems dogging attorney general pick Matt Gaetz don't seem to be going away, as new leaks expose a history of thousands of dollars in Venmo payments to two women at the center of the complaints against him. Meanwhile, newly unearthed video of RFK Jr., Trump's choice for health secretary, shows him speculating about whether the Covid pandemic was planned by the government. Tommy is joined by Democratic strategist and media expert Lis Smith to unpack all the chaos, plus what the Dems are missing, what needs to shift in their media strategy, and the big questions driving the race for DNC Chair. Then, Dan sits down with Sen. Jon Tester to reflect on his re-election battle in Montana, how Democrats can win in the heartland again, and the best way to connect with voters in red states.