The Democrat Party is still trying to wrap its arms around the reason they lost the last presidential election to Donald Trump, and according to the New York Times, some strategists think a successful podcast or two might be the answer. In fact, they're raising millions of dollars to fund the search.
Curtis Houck of Media Research Center says they've been down this road before.
“It has been tried multiple times and failed, and I think, in part, that is because they have the legacy media on their side producing propaganda and hot takes,” he said.
Anyone remember Air America? Went belly up in six years. Houck says the Left does have what they call "online influencers," but the political ones are paid and still not popular, and the popular ones tend to talk about Hollywood or sex or food.
“They're not talking about the nuts and bolts of politics, becoming political junkies, and I think that's what they're missing,” Houck said.
The plan calls for developing not just a few but an “army of left-leaning online influencers,” The New York Times reports.
Democrats widely believe Trump’s victory came about not because of their pro-transgender, pro-illegal immigration and pro-abortion message but because of his success targeting audiences through YouTube, TikTok and podcasts.
In response their goal is to become more creative in building online enthusiasm, The Times reports.
They're looking to "find the next Joe Rogan," the newspaper says.
Whether through a podcaster or some other sources, Democrats have a certain demographic they want to target: men.
In a separate report The Times tells of an initiative -- with a $20 million pricetag -- which aims to reverse the erosion of Democratic support among young men, especially online. It is code-named SAM — short for “Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan” — and promises investment to “study the syntax, language and content that gains attention and virality in these spaces.” It recommends buying advertisements in video games, among other things.
Can the Democrats make liberal talk work for them?
Why conservative talk works
Part of the success of conservative talk is that it's often lighthearted and humorous.
“The Left is just angry and even their jokes come with senses of desperation or despair or disgust about what's going on,” Houck said.
The party can't seem to see the real problem with its brand.
“Anytime the Left loses an election, it's not that our ideas were wrong or bad and that people didn't buy them. It was that they weren't properly explained,” Houck said.
