Yes We (Still) Can

1. Obama's campaign revolutionized political communication and strategy

"You know, I was elected about a decade too soon."

Innovative approach. Obama's 2008 campaign pioneered new ways of using the internet and social media to communicate directly with voters, bypassing traditional media channels. This strategy allowed for more authentic and immediate engagement with supporters, as well as more efficient fundraising and organizing efforts.

Data-driven decision making. The campaign utilized sophisticated data analytics to target voters and allocate resources more effectively. This approach, combined with a strong ground game and grassroots organizing, helped Obama overcome initial doubts about his electability and secure both the Democratic nomination and the presidency.

Message of hope and change. Obama's campaign centered on a message of hope and change that resonated with voters, particularly young people and first-time voters. This positive, forward-looking message stood in contrast to more traditional campaign strategies and helped create a sense of movement around his candidacy.

2. The Republican Party's opposition to Obama reshaped American politics

"Stopping Obama at all costs became the only animating principle of the modern Republican Party."

Unprecedented obstruction. From the outset of Obama's presidency, Republican leadership adopted a strategy of near-total opposition to his agenda. This approach included refusing to work on bipartisan legislation, even on issues where there had previously been agreement between the parties.

Tea Party movement. The rise of the Tea Party movement within the Republican Party pushed the party further to the right and made compromise with Democrats even more difficult. This shift laid the groundwork for the eventual rise of Trump and the transformation of the GOP into a more populist, nationalist party.

Racial undercurrents. The opposition to Obama was often tinged with racial overtones, from the "birther" conspiracy theory to more subtle forms of racial resentment. This dynamic helped fuel the polarization of American politics and set the stage for the explicitly racial appeals of the Trump campaign.

3. Social media and the internet transformed political discourse and campaigning

"Twitter is a performance-enhancing drug for politics. It has made all the good parts of politics a little better and all the bad parts much, much worse."

Democratization of information. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook allowed politicians to communicate directly with voters, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers. This shift created new opportunities for engagement but also posed challenges in terms of message control and the spread of misinformation.

Rapid news cycle. The 24/7 nature of social media and online news outlets accelerated the pace of political discourse, making it more difficult for campaigns to control narratives and respond to crises. This environment rewarded quick reactions and provocative statements, often at the expense of nuanced policy discussions.

Echo chambers and polarization. Social media algorithms tend to reinforce users' existing beliefs, creating echo chambers that can increase political polarization. This dynamic made it more difficult for campaigns to reach voters outside their base and contributed to the growing divide between left and right in American politics.

4. Fox News played a pivotal role in shaping conservative narratives and opposition

"Fox News is one of the most insidious and dangerous forces in American politics, and much of what ails our civil discourse today can be traced back to Fox and its successors."

Conservative echo chamber. Fox News provided a platform for conservative politicians and pundits to reach a large audience with minimal pushback or fact-checking. This allowed for the spread of misleading or false information that reinforced conservative narratives and grievances.

Delegitimizing opposition. Fox News consistently portrayed Obama and other Democrats as not just wrong on policy, but as fundamentally un-American or dangerous to the country. This framing helped fuel the intense opposition to Obama's agenda and contributed to the growing polarization of American politics.

Trump's megaphone. During the 2016 campaign, Fox News provided Trump with an enormous platform to reach conservative voters, often giving him favorable coverage and downplaying controversies that might have derailed a more traditional candidate.

5. The rise of "fake news" and conspiracy theories posed new challenges for politicians

"Fake news" may now be on the tip of everyone's tongue—especially President Trump's—but it didn't just magically appear in 2016. The battle against fake news was a defining element of the Obama era."

Erosion of shared facts. The proliferation of fake news and conspiracy theories on social media made it increasingly difficult for politicians to establish a shared set of facts with voters. This dynamic made it harder to have substantive policy debates and easier for bad-faith actors to muddy the waters on important issues.

Weaponization of misinformation. Both foreign and domestic actors learned to use fake news and conspiracy theories as weapons to influence public opinion and sow discord. This posed new challenges for campaigns trying to get their message out and for government officials trying to implement policy.

Crisis of credibility. The constant accusations of "fake news" from Trump and others eroded public trust in traditional media outlets and institutions. This made it more difficult for fact-checkers and legitimate news sources to combat misinformation effectively.

6. Trump's unconventional campaign strategy upended traditional notions of electability

"Without Twitter, there is no President Trump."

Breaking norms. Trump's campaign broke nearly every rule of traditional political campaigning, from his inflammatory rhetoric to his lack of policy specifics to his unconventional use of social media. This approach allowed him to dominate media coverage and connect with voters who felt alienated from traditional politics.

Authenticity over polish. Trump's unfiltered communication style, particularly on Twitter, was often seen as more authentic by his supporters than the carefully crafted messages of traditional politicians. This perceived authenticity helped him overcome scandals and gaffes that would have sunk a more conventional candidate.

Leveraging media dynamics. Trump's campaign understood and exploited the new media landscape, using provocative statements and Twitter feuds to drive news coverage and keep his name in the headlines. This strategy allowed him to effectively crowd out his primary opponents and dominate the conversation during the general election.

7. Democrats must adapt to the new political landscape to succeed in future elections

"If Democrats do not close the gap soon, we will once again have our message drowned out."

Embrace new media. Democrats need to become more adept at using social media and other new technologies to reach voters and shape the political conversation. This includes developing strategies to combat misinformation and reach voters outside traditional Democratic strongholds.

Authentic messaging. Candidates need to find ways to communicate more authentically with voters, even if that means taking more risks or being less polished. This approach can help build trust and enthusiasm among supporters, particularly younger voters.

Grassroots organizing. The success of the Obama campaigns and the rise of progressive movements like Black Lives Matter highlight the importance of grassroots organizing and mobilization. Democrats need to invest in building long-term relationships with voters and communities, rather than relying solely on top-down messaging and advertising.

Last updated: January 23, 2025