Voting counts and so do voters

Fred Yancey

Election season is upon us as assorted candidates start pushing their messages and platforms.

Speaking points range across the spectrum, from those supporting Trump and his fantasies to those promoting universal income for all, and then there is the middle ground. Effective messaging is the key to success in winning an election.

The R’s understand this too well. Those running under the MAGA banner have been successful in this arena. They have identified key flash issues to motivate voters and gain their support. Critical race theory, Democrat efforts to defund police, tax increases, creeping socialism and immigration run amuck are just a few of the more incendiary issues used to inflame their electorate. More moderate R’s focus on the law enforcement angle and the issue of tax and spend.

The D’s, on the other hand, flounder. They are a divided party both at the Washington state level and nationally, with conflicts between the progressive versus the moderate wings of the party. So, their message is muddied. Even worse, both sides of the party do not address issues that directly impact the voters. For example, bragging about the funding to address homelessness -- certainly  a critical need -- may well engender support from the homeless. However, in an all-mail ballot state, few homeless vote. The taxpayer who votes and who funds these programs sees little progress pays for these services. He/she is not swayed by these messages.

The sad reality is that a voter wants to know from a candidate, “What’s in it for me?” A cynic would point out that corporations, with their unlimited PAC dollars, clearly operate from that basis. Look at the largesse they receive from the government. But the average voter also wants to know, for example,  what is being done about inflation and taxes? The hot button issue over abortion is important but aside from the progressive wing of the D party, it is not one that will sway a moderate. There’s no resonance with the average voter. A wise man once said regarding campaigning, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Things have not changed. And even though President Biden is not responsible for the state of the economy, the responsibility still falls on him and his party to solve the issues. That is even truer in Washington State which has clear D majorities in both houses and the Governorship. “What are you doing to help me?”

The bottom line is that the D’s are at risk nationally and statewide of losing control of both or either the House or Senate unless they start talking about what they will do to benefit the average citizen/voter.

Ironically, even though pundits predict an R victory in the upcoming election, the national R’s really don’t offer any plans, just criticisms of what the D’s are doing or imaginative projections of what the D’s will do or continue to do if they are in office.

Most of the R’s running for Washington State offices are much more disciplined and less Trumpian than the Federal candidates. Their platform and messages directly address the average voter. One example is their constant refrain about using the state’s increased financial resources to roll back the gas tax. That is a clear example of addressing the “What’s in it for me?” question. The D’s have not got that point yet. Unless they do and change their talking points, a real shift in political direction will occur.

Fred Yancey is a retired educator based in Olympia. He is a lifetime Washingtonian who currently works as a lobbyist advocating for seniors.

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