Anat Shenker-Osorio

It is my fantasy that we have a Dem convention where we only ever say what we're for and what we'll do. Mostly, because this is what's proven to mobilize and persuade. But also because nothing would anger those we oppose more than us rendering them not even worth naming.

Actually, pollster @RachelBitecofer has documented that negative partisanship is a powerful motivator for voters.

Super familiar with this rich work! Negative partisanship is absolutely where many *already engaged & decided* voters are. But for disaffected potential voters - negative messaging is measurably repellent. For fence sitters it can re-entrench views by activating defensiveness

Interesting. Though Trump's poll numbers sure started dropping after @ProjectLincoln & other Trump attack ads started filling up the Internet.

I think the horrendous loss of life, illness and economic hardship is at play well beyond what any of us (self included!) could ever do with ads. Most unengaged & undecided voters HATE political ads & quit them less than 4 seconds in.

Interesting. I wd think they might be unreachable altogether if they quit them less than 4 seconds in.

Organizing (talking to people, especially relational organizing using messengers who have existing relationships) always beats broadcast comms (ads, mailers, etc.) And lived experience is usually the most potent persuader.