The last week has been tough. But Trump is fully in charge until at least January 2027. Saying unkind things about him is not going to help get Ukraine what it wants. Use smart messaging.
As a left-leaning Independent and ardent Trump-hating, pro-Ukraine, anti-Putin guy, I hate to say it, but I believe you are spot on about the messaging. Calling Trump a Russian asset etc. gives us a nanosecond dopamine hit, but then what? Insults only harden opposition resolve. I continue to read your analysis because you put reason before emotion on the table.
As a Republican who supports Trump and Ukraine, I've been mystified by how bad the messaging toward Republican voters has been from the pro-Ukraine side. Of course I've also been mystified by Republican politicians themselves.
Here is the best way to reach GOP voters about Ukraine. You couldn't be more correct about the need to communicate in a way that GOP voters can themselves relate to.
1. Stress how Ukrainians suffered under communism and Russian rule. Talk about the Holodomor and how the communists starved people with no remorse. Talk about how Ukrainians were frequently sent to the gulag and how Ukrainians fought the Soviet army for years after the end of WW2. Talk about modern day Russia still venerates its Communist past. Many Russian soldiers wear the sickle and hammer. For Ukrainians they have plenty of historical reasons to view this as an existential threat.
2. Mention how if you some roving gang of thieves stole your land and then declared your home to be theirs, would you just give them what they wanted especially if they had a violent past against your family? Of course not.
3. A Russian victory in Ukraine is a win for China, Iran and North Korea. I don't know one GOP voters who has a positive view of those countries. It's absolutely critical that we tie Russia to those three.
As a left-leaning Independent and ardent Trump-hating, pro-Ukraine, anti-Putin guy, I hate to say it, but I believe you are spot on about the messaging. Calling Trump a Russian asset etc. gives us a nanosecond dopamine hit, but then what? Insults only harden opposition resolve. I continue to read your analysis because you put reason before emotion on the table.
Thanks for your kind words. I have been doing this stuff for a long time. Your message is encouraging.
As a Republican who supports Trump and Ukraine, I've been mystified by how bad the messaging toward Republican voters has been from the pro-Ukraine side. Of course I've also been mystified by Republican politicians themselves.
Here is the best way to reach GOP voters about Ukraine. You couldn't be more correct about the need to communicate in a way that GOP voters can themselves relate to.
1. Stress how Ukrainians suffered under communism and Russian rule. Talk about the Holodomor and how the communists starved people with no remorse. Talk about how Ukrainians were frequently sent to the gulag and how Ukrainians fought the Soviet army for years after the end of WW2. Talk about modern day Russia still venerates its Communist past. Many Russian soldiers wear the sickle and hammer. For Ukrainians they have plenty of historical reasons to view this as an existential threat.
2. Mention how if you some roving gang of thieves stole your land and then declared your home to be theirs, would you just give them what they wanted especially if they had a violent past against your family? Of course not.
3. A Russian victory in Ukraine is a win for China, Iran and North Korea. I don't know one GOP voters who has a positive view of those countries. It's absolutely critical that we tie Russia to those three.
Thank you for reminding us what is the goal.