The challenge of communicating 'Bidenomics'

Sanders-Townsend argues that the complex economic data and terminology used in "Bidenomics" discussions are not impactful in swaying public opinion.

Sanders said:

They are not going to get ‘Bidenomics.’ Let it go. How about you just make sure they know what you’re going to do and what you did? … You can give folks all the numbers about GDP and all these other things, but the data doesn’t move people. Stories move people.

This viewpoint underscores a broader challenge faced by the Biden campaign in making its economic policies relatable and understandable to the average voter.

Sanders-Townsend emphasizes the need for simpler, more direct communication.

Biden's public engagement strategy

Sanders-Townsend highlighted the need for President Biden to engage more directly with the American public.

She observed that his current public appearances, often scripted and formal, don't showcase his strengths in connecting with people. Sanders stated:

You haven’t seen him do what he can do [best]. He’s been on prompter, he’s been standing on stages looking very presidential with the flags behind him. He gives his speech and he gets out. When was the last time you saw Joe Biden do a rope line? When’s the last time you saw Joe Biden in a town hall taking questions from the American people?

Her comments point towards a strategy where Biden's personal touch and rapport with voters could be more effectively utilized, potentially addressing concerns about his age and connection with the electorate.

Simplifying campaign messaging

The MSNBC host also criticized the campaign for not making their messaging "plain" enough for voters.

The initial focus on acronyms and complex language might have alienated the intended audience. She said:

They talked a lot about acronyms in the beginning and not enough about the plain things. You ain’t even got to name the legislation. Just tell the people what has happened. And I think that there was maybe too much of a focus on trying to message it tightly up in a nice bow and not enough focus on just, well, how can we make it plain for the people that we want to understand it?

Such an approach emphasizes clarity and directness, aiming to connect more effectively with voters by simplifying how policies and their impacts are communicated.

Responses from White House and others

The Biden campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on Sanders-Townsend's statements.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the challenges faced by the administration.

She commented on the difficulty of conveying the success of 'Bidenomics' amidst the recovery from a century's worst pandemic and an overturned economy. Jean-Pierre stated:

And so we get it. We get that, so it’s going to take a little bit of time for folks to feel what the ‘Bidenomics’ has been able to do. That’s not something that I’m saying. That’s something that economists have said, right? It takes a little bit of time. But it doesn’t mean, it doesn’t mean that the president is not going to continue to work.

These responses highlight the administration's understanding of the current economic challenges and their commitment to ongoing efforts to improve the situation.

Voter sentiment and alternative messaging

Recent polls indicate a decline in enthusiasm among voters regarding the president's economic policies, a sentiment echoed by long-time Democratic donor and Orlando attorney John Morgan.

In December, Morgan critiqued the "Bidenomics" branding, suggesting its complexity is alienating to the average American. Morgan said:

Whoever came up with that, they don’t have a place in the advertising world.

This feedback reflects a growing consensus that the administration may need to reevaluate and simplify its economic messaging to connect more effectively with voters.

Conclusion

• Biden's former political strategist Sanders-Townsend critiques the complexity of "Bidenomics" messaging.
• She suggests more direct engagement and simpler communication from President Biden.
• Voter sentiment indicates a need for clearer, more relatable economic messaging.
• The Biden administration acknowledges challenges and commits to ongoing work.
• Feedback from Democratic donors and polls suggests reevaluation of the messaging strategy.