People who think that "messaging" is the greater problem focus on the segment of voters who voted for Trump but who now say they regret it.

People who believe the issue is the content of the "Democratic platform" focus on the voters who did not show up. This group is also larger than in past elections.

As someone who wants a Democratic party that is meaningfully distinct from Republicans I wonder which group is more receptive to left-leaning messages?

Non-voters are a younger, and so I think they are more likely to be progressive.

Further, at least some of the "regret" voters are like MTG. They are disappointed in Trump because he's not conservative *enough*, or because he's failed to be a conservative populist.

This is why I think listening to non-voters is critical.

Really listen and try to learn WHY rather then twist their arm about how rational is is to vote strategically or whatever.

I have been trying to do this and one theme I didn't pay as much attention to, that I now care about is simply corruption.

"They're all corrupt!"

You know it. I know it. Cue the Leonard Cohen song "everybody knows" and rock out with me will you?

But, this worldly cynicism is disappointing to young people in a more destructive way than it is to older more jaded people.

What do I mean by "corruption?" Let's break that down.

The secrecy, leniency and obvious coverups of things like the Epstein case. This issue is HUGE and both parties try to use it but I think very few people think either really care about the root issues at all. Rich people can do whatever they want. They even have their own prisons when they manage to get into one. (Rare)

Kickbacks, stock trading, and the obscene wealth of members of congress.

"Why should I vote for HER to go get rich in DC?"

In equal measure there is also the sense that issues like the environment, public health, foreign policy etc. are more about making one person or another rich (Musk car subsidies, Pelosi and her stocks...) so even if a politician is talking about something good it's just tool for something else.

By the way this is part of the source of the cynicism about "woke politics" think corporate woke eg. Pride month.

Some of, maybe even most of the "anti-woke" crowd are just reactionary. And I don't really think winning them over is worth it because... um what would be the point? I want to live in a diverse country that accepts everyone. And that matters even more to me than the corruption. But for many people those things are inverted because they don't see the risk to their safety and rights from right wing politics as clearly, or they just aren't as much at risk.