SWING LEFT PENINSULA created these engaging videos to help spread the word effectively that things are better when Democrats are in office AND to counter MAGA Republicans' anti-democracy messages.
To Muffle the MAGAphone:
1. Avoid amplifying MAGA messages.
2. Amplify pro-Democracy messages.
What's the best thing to do when encountering MAGA disinformation? NOTHING!
Ever wonder why MAGA Republicans repeat certain words and phrases?
Hint: Dog whistles
Why do MAGA Republicans spend so much time attacking an ever growing list of others?
We need to avoid repeating MAGA GOP frames, even to refute them. Talk about the good stuff - what we need for all Americans to thrive.
What makes an effective message? Lead with shared values. Identify who stands in the way of those values and why. End with your vision for a better future.
The 3V messaging framework was developed by communications consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio. Effective 3V messages:
As linguist George Lakoff says, “People vote based on values, connection, authenticity, trust and identity” – not lists of policies and facts.
The Bay Area Coalition offers 3V statements on the critical issues of our time.
Frame Lab advises calling Trump a loser, fraud, or betrayer of trust. Dictator creates an image of power whereas loser is a label no strict father/wannabe dictator will admit.
Frame Lab advises responding to the special council report of Biden's classified documents investigation by pointing out that Biden was cleared while Trump is still facing indictments.
"The best way for the media to sell newspapers and clicks is to give Republicans what they want to hear which "drives liberals to hate reading, hate sharing, and even hate subscribing. By rebutting them, [we] spread and strengthen them. That's how our brains work."
Republican governors in 15 red states have refused to participate in this summer’s federal free lunch program., denying food to approx. 8 million kids.
Frame Lab advises responding without mentioning welfare states or calling Republicans scrooges. Say instead, "Tate Reeves [Republican Governor of Mississippi] doesn’t want these kids to succeed. He doesn’t want them to have the same freedom as his kids enjoy. This isn’t just about punishing poor kids for being poor. It’s about taking away their opportunities."
"Consider the phrase “tax relief.” The world “relief” frames the word “tax” as an affliction or form of suffering. We generally need “relief” from things that are painful or unpleasant...Another example: Consider the phrase “forced birth.” It frames abortion bans with a negative word, “forced,” which frames abortion bans as aggressively stripping women of their freedom." Moral Warfare 101: Frames and Your Brain, Frame Lab, February 5, 2024
"...when environmental issues are reframed in terms of the conservative value of purity – emphasizing the importance of keeping our forests, drinking water, and skies pure – conservatives are much more likely to support this cause.
The power of framing: It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it
The Guardian, July 20, 2017
Climate change? Global warming?
"David Fenton, a longtime PR specialist for progressive causes...urges the climate community to speak of pollution – a word everyone gets – and to settle on the image of a 'blanket of pollution trapping heat on Earth'. Every oil and gas emission makes that blanket thicker – and all that trapped heat helps cause floods and start fires, he says." As heat records break, the climate movement has the right answers – but the words are all wrong The Guardian, July 14, 2023
"Much of politics is a struggle to define how certain key words are framed — words like 'tax,' 'freedom,' 'rights' and 'truth.'
"If you oppose an issue, you must try to frame it in negative terms. If you support an issue, you must try to frame it positively."
Cognitive scientist Dr. George Lakoff and journalist Gil Duran share their political messaging expertise at
Frame Lab on Substack.
"White women are the largest voting bloc in this country and will be for decades to come. They make up 38% of the national vote share, and 43% of the vote share across Galvanize Action priority states. Within this voting bloc, we’ve identified 44,093,812 moderate women who are not ideologically entrenched, meaning they are open to new ideas and perspectives and movable on key issues such as reproductive freedom, healthcare, gender equity, climate, and the economy."
Galvanize Action says, "We’ll share with you exactly how to create a message that meets people at their values and how to turn those into an effective ad. Our interactive worksheet will guide you through the process with prompts about your target audience and the issue you want to move them on. You’ll walk away with customized advice!"