Episode 7: The message crisis for Democrats
The interview with Rachel Bitecofer
The Democratic Party brand has hit historic lows despite Republican extremism, with nearly half of Democratic voters disapproving of their own party representatives in Congress. This crisis in party confidence reflects a failure in messaging strategy, with Democrats needing to centralize their communication and directly attribute economic hardship to Republican policies rather than using vague institutional language.
In this episode of Cross Tabs, Farrah Bostic speaks with political strategist
about Democratic Party messaging failures and what effective opposition looks like in 2025. Bitecofer emphasizes that Democrats must stop being selective about which battles to fight and instead mount consistent, visible resistance that frames Republicans as extremists who have harmed working Americans through decades of economic policies.Want to be a part of the future of Cross Tabs Podcast? Here are a few simple ways to get involved:
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Resources
Rachel Bitecofer's book that contains specific tactics on how Democrats should directly call out Republicans rather than using vague language, with a whole section that not only explains this approach but teaches readers how to implement it effectively.
Also, check out her podcast “This is America” through
A marketing strategy book by Alistair Croll and Emily Ross that sparked a conversation about what effective opposition fighting looks like when applied to political messaging and tactics.
'Politics and the English Language'
George Orwell's essay that emphasizes the need for extremely specific language in political discourse, such as saying "Republicans in the Senate" rather than just "the Senate."
A landmark 1950s study that first documented America's civic literacy crisis, revealing that voters often don't even know basic information like who the vice president is.
A market research book that informed Farrah's work on finding the leverage points that get people to register messages and take action, rather than just testing the messages themselves.
Farrah's Substack article discussing how real power is essentially sovereignty -- not being governed by anybody but yourself -- which is what tech oligarchs are pursuing through projects like "freedom cities."
"Partisanship in the Trump Era"
Larry Bartels' paper that visualizes how more self-identified Democrats share policy preferences with conservative positions than vice versa, challenging assumptions about party composition.
The poll Rachel referenced showing the Democrats underwater with their own voters — and at a historic low for either party.
Our Guest
Rachel Bitecofer is an American political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist, renowned for her accurate early prediction of the "Blue Wave" in the 2018 midterm elections. Bitecofer has served as a lecturer at Christopher Newport University and as assistant director of the Wason Center for Public Policy, where she conducted polling and election forecasting. She later became a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center, a centrist think tank in Washington, D.C. Her analyses have been featured in prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and MSNBC. In 2024, she published "Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game," advocating for strategic approaches to bolster democratic processes.
Your Host
Farrah Bostic is the founder of The Difference Engine, a strategic research and innovation consultancy. Drawing on her extensive background in research and strategy, she examines how power dynamics and data patterns shape both democratic institutions and market environments, bringing a sharp analytical perspective to the intersection of politics, data, and business.
Her incisive questioning style and ability to connect political movements with business implications makes Cross Tabs essential listening for political analysts, business leaders, and engaged citizens seeking to understand the forces shaping our political and economic landscapes.
Learn more about Farrah’s experience helping B2B and B2C companies across various industries turn audience insights into effective strategies at thedifferenceengine.co, and be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn if you’d like to discuss how The Difference Engine can help.
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