House Democrats are shifting gears in their media strategy, aiming to reach conservative audiences they’ve long neglected.
But it’s hard to imagine them succeeding…
At a Glance
- Democrats consider appearing on conservative media following 2024 election losses
- Nearly a dozen House Democrats emphasize the need to engage with non-traditional platforms
- Fox News remains the most-watched network, even among Democrats and independents
- Some Democrats admire President-elect Trump’s targeted media strategy
- Progressives support expanding media reach to include diverse platforms
Democrats Rethink Media Strategy
In the wake of recent electoral setbacks, House Democrats are reevaluating their communication approach with voters. The party is now considering a bold move: appearing on conservative-leaning media outlets.
The horror!
This shift comes as Democrats recognize the potential consequences of ignoring these platforms and the voters they reach.
The decision to engage with conservative media marks a significant departure from the Democrats’ traditional strategy of sticking to friendly outlets like MSNBC and CNN. This change reflects a growing awareness that to remain competitive, the party must adapt to the evolving media landscape and bridge gaps with a wider array of voters.
Nearly a dozen House Democrats are now emphasizing the need to engage with conservative and non-traditional platforms to avoid irrelevance. This shift is driven by the realization that Fox News and conservative podcasts command large audiences that can no longer be ignored.
“If half the country is watching and we gotta win 50% plus one, how can you reach anybody when you’re not talking where they go?” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said.
This sentiment is echoed by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who stated, “I think one of the lessons learned from the 2024 election is that we have all but ceded alternative media to the conservative movement. If we have confidence in our message, we should be prepared to take our message to every corner of the ecosystem — including in politically hostile environments.”
Learning from Past Strategies
Some Democrats are looking to President-elect Trump’s media strategy for inspiration. Trump’s approach, which targeted specific demographics through podcasts and YouTube, proved effective in reaching voters outside traditional media channels. This has led to a reevaluation of how Democrats can better utilize diverse platforms to communicate their message.
“You’ve got to contest every corner. Otherwise all they hear is what’s said about you by the other side,” Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) said.
The strategy of engaging with adversarial media is not entirely new. During the 2020 campaign, some Democratic candidates participated in Fox News town halls, breaking the mold of avoiding potentially confrontational appearances. Now, in the aftermath of the 2024 elections, the approach championed by Pete Buttigieg of using Fox News to defend Democratic positions is gaining traction among more party members.
While many Democrats are embracing this new strategy, their approaches vary somewhat. Rep. Jared Golden advocates for a local approach, appearing on conservative radio shows in his district. Others, like Rep. Maxwell Frost, suggest that Democrats should also engage with cultural and sports platforms, not limiting their outreach to just conservative media.
However, not all Democrats are convinced. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, for instance, remains skeptical about the effectiveness of engaging with conservative media. This internal debate reflects the challenges the party faces in balancing the need for broader outreach with concerns about potentially hostile media environments.
No matter what Democrats say, though, the American people will always remember what they did since Obama took office. Why would anyone believe anything they have to say after all these years of deceit?