Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes – "How Dems Can Stop Being Boring and WIN"

Release Date: May 1, 2025

In this insightful episode of Bulwark Takes, host Lauren Eagan engages in a compelling conversation with Rob Flaherty, a seasoned Democratic strategist and former digital director in the Biden White House. Drawing from Rob's recent New York Times op-ed titled "If You're a Voter Reading This, This Essay Is Not About You," the discussion delves into the challenges the Democratic Party faces in engaging disengaged voters and outlines strategies to revitalize its appeal.

1. Introduction to Rob Flaherty and His Op-Ed

Lauren Eagan opens the episode by introducing Rob Flaherty, highlighting his extensive background in Democratic politics, including his roles in the Biden and Harris campaigns.

[00:42] Rob Flaherty: "If you look at why Democrats lost the election in 2024, there was a split between voters who pay attention... and voters who don't pay attention."

2. Understanding the 2024 Election Loss

Rob explains the core argument of his op-ed, identifying a crucial divide among voters:

• Engaged Voters: Those who actively consume traditional media and are receptive to Democratic messaging.
• Disengaged Voters: Individuals who feel disconnected from the political system, consuming information passively through friends, family, and social media without actively seeking political content.

[00:42] Rob Flaherty: "They think the party is weak... the shortest way to reach these Folks who are not normally paying attention to us."

3. Adapting Democratic Strategies

Rob emphasizes the necessity for Democrats to innovate their communication tactics to effectively reach and engage the disengaged electorate. This involves:

• Picking Fights and Driving Conflict: Capturing attention through assertive and bold messaging.
• Expanding Media Presence: Utilizing a variety of platforms to increase visibility and accessibility.

[00:42] Rob Flaherty: "...how do you get in front of these voters? How do you show that you really believe what you are saying and how do you drive attention?"

4. The Elephant in the Room: Biden's Reelection Campaign

Lauren probes why similar strategies weren't effectively applied during Biden's reelection, suggesting potential shortcomings in his candidacy.

[03:10] Rob Flaherty: "This is a struggle for pretty much any major Democratic candidate right now."

Rob acknowledges the systemic challenges within the party's communication style, noting that both the Biden and Harris campaigns had areas of both success and missed opportunities.

5. Authenticity Over Moderation

The conversation shifts to the importance of authenticity in political messaging. Rob argues that voters are more responsive to genuine belief than to strategic moderation on issues.

[05:27] Rob Flaherty: "Does it seem like you really believe what the heck you're saying?"

He cites Bernie Sanders as an example of a politician who gains respect for his authenticity, regardless of agreement with his policies.

6. Leveraging Alternative Media Platforms

Rob discusses the necessity for Democrats to engage with non-traditional media platforms to reach broader audiences. He stresses that simply having a presence on these platforms isn't enough; the engagement must be meaningful and authentic.

[07:19] Rob Flaherty: "There are no broadcasts anymore. There's just narrowcasts."

He highlights the importance of targeting specific audiences and being present in various media niches to build a comprehensive outreach strategy.

7. Cultural Relevance and "Making Democrats Cool"

Addressing the cultural disconnect, Rob suggests that the Democratic Party needs to infuse a sense of fun and inclusivity into its identity to attract a wider voter base.

[16:02] Rob Flaherty: "...we became less fun, we became less interesting... We need to seem like a movement that you want to be a part of."

This involves branding the party as a dynamic and inclusive movement rather than merely a staunch defender of existing institutions.

8. Media Training and Leadership Adaptation

Rob points out a skills gap among Democratic leaders in navigating modern media landscapes. He advocates for:

• Media Savvy Leadership: Leaders who are native to digital platforms and understand their nuances.
• Comprehensive Media Training: Preparing political figures to engage authentically and substantively across diverse media formats.

[20:06] Rob Flaherty: "...leaders who don't live in it cannot really understand it."

9. Reemergence of Biden-Harris Alumni in Media

Lauren observes a trend of Biden-Harris campaign alumni contributing op-eds and media pieces post-election, questioning whether this signals a strategic re-engagement.

[22:03] Rob Flaherty: "There are a lot of important lessons that we learned in this election that are worth sharing out."

Rob indicates that sharing insights from recent campaigns is part of a broader strategy to refine Democratic tactics moving forward.

10. Reflections on Campaign Communication Strategies

The episode concludes with Lauren bringing up a past fundraising email from Rob that humorously critiqued podcasters. Rob reflects on the intensity of campaign periods and the importance of rallying the base, while maintaining respect for the podcasting community.

[23:02] Rob Flaherty: "The broader point was... to rally our base and rally our people."

11. Conclusion and Future Directions

Lauren wraps up the conversation by praising Rob's op-ed and expressing optimism for his continued contributions to the discourse on Democratic strategy.

[24:03] Lauren Eagan: "...I hope you come back because I know you've got lots of thoughts about the future of the Democratic Party."

Key Takeaways:

• Diversify Communication Channels: Democrats must expand their presence across various media platforms to reach both engaged and disengaged voters.

• Emphasize Authenticity: Voters are drawn to genuine belief and passion, making authenticity a crucial element of effective political messaging.

• Cultural Engagement: To "make Democrats cool again," the party needs to cultivate an inclusive and dynamic image that resonates with a broader audience.

• Media Savvy Leadership: Equipping Democratic leaders with the skills to navigate and utilize modern media landscapes is essential for future electoral success.

• Learn and Adapt: Reflecting on past campaign strategies and adapting based on lessons learned will be vital for overcoming current challenges.

This episode offers a thoughtful examination of the Democratic Party's current communication challenges and proposes strategic adaptations to enhance voter engagement and electoral success.