Closing Arguments
Two arguments work best to persuade the still-undecided voter
It’s hard to believe, in the last bitter days of this endless election, that there are still some people who are undecided. And research shows that two arguments work best to change minds. One is, of course, abortion. But the other is surprising: Republican support for Harris.
Blueprint is a public opinion research initiative, which studies voting trends and polls voters to determine which policies and messages resonate with them.
Surprisingly, the arguments that seems to sway undecided voters the most are those that emphasize Trump’s lack of support from his former cabinet and numerous Republicans.
Tied for effectiveness is his overturning of Roe v. Wade. Trump abortion bans have been passed in 22 states and women are dying because they can’t get the care they need. Now he wants to go further, with plans to restrict birth control, ban abortion nationwide, and even monitor women’s pregnancies.
Third in effectiveness is warning voters of Trump’s intentions to gut Social Security and Medicare and the Affordable Care Act.
So these are the points we should amplify. Post them on social media. Share posts, podcasts, and blogs that emphasize these points. And bring them up in conversations. I know, most everyone is SO SICK of talking about the election, and we all feel that if we see ONE MORE POLITICAL AD ON TV we’ll go nuts. (I’ve had to give up watching Jeopardy temporarily, because there are so many scary attack ads during it, aimed at credulous seniors, I guess. Don’t they know that only smart people watch Jeopardy?)
We’re all so done with this election. But even so, keep talking. Keep posting. Especially if you live in a swing state, or have social media “friends” in swing states, give those closing arguments one last shot. Never underestimate the power of your words.
Most voters don’t trust politicians, or the media. They’re tired of being told what to think. But they DO trust you. Again and again, research shows that voters’ most trusted source of information is the people they know personally.
We’re down to the last few days. We can win, we can really win, if we all give one more little bit—one last donation, one more phone call, one more conversation.
Then we can take a deep breath, cross our fingers and wait.
Dear Friends,
Are you obsessing over the election of 2024 and wondering what to do about it? I hope you’ll continue to check out The Optimistic Activist.
Every week I post some ideas for doing something. How to get out the vote, spread the word, and support progressive candidates. Ideas for simple but effective activism. As easy, as practical, as do-able as I can make them.
Together, I think, we could really make a difference.
“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”
--Noam Chomsky