Former Pelosi Advisor Criticizes Jeffries’ Messaging in the "Trump Era"
A former top advisor to ex-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Ashley Etienne, has publicly voiced concerns about House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ performance in the current political climate dominated by former President Donald Trump. Etienne, who played a key role in shaping Democratic messaging during Trump’s first impeachment, suggested that Jeffries is failing to capitalize on the opportunities presented by Trump’s actions and rhetoric.
Etienne’s remarks, made on Politico’s "Deep Dive" podcast, represent a notable critique from within the Democratic establishment. She argued that Trump is providing Democrats with ample "red meat" in the form of controversial statements and policies, but the party is "squandering" these opportunities to effectively counter his message.
"Trump is just giving us all this incredible red meat. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like this before," Etienne said. "It’s like the biggest gift any party has been given by the opposition, and we’re just squandering it, to a degree."
Etienne acknowledged Jeffries’ strengths in other areas and expressed respect for the New York Democrat. However, she emphasized that he is missing crucial opportunities to sharpen the party’s anti-Trump messaging.
As an example, Etienne cited Jeffries’ recent speech, noting that she did not receive any talking points beforehand. "He gave a speech this morning. I don’t have any talking points in my phone about what he said. And I’m going to be doing TV and this interview all day. That’s a failure," she said. "How do you get to discipline if you’re not telling people what the hell you want them to say? At least emphatically, at least tonally."
Etienne’s comments raise questions about the Democratic Party’s communication strategy under Jeffries’ leadership. She suggested that a lack of clear and consistent messaging is hindering the party’s ability to effectively challenge Trump and the Republican agenda.
Jeffries’ Allies Defend His Leadership
In response to Etienne’s criticism, Jeffries’ allies have defended his leadership and pointed to the challenges of navigating intraparty dynamics. They argue that internal disagreements are distracting from Trump’s declining poll numbers and the unpopularity of Republican policies.
Jeffries’ spokesperson, Christiana Stephenson, emphasized the importance of focusing on the "main thing," which is Trump’s weaknesses and the negative consequences of Republican policies. "Donald Trump’s approval ratings are plummeting, and he’s bringing House Republicans down with him," Stephenson said. "Extreme MAGA Republicans have been forced to delay their plans to advance Trump’s centerpiece legislative priority due to intense backlash against their scheme to enact the largest cuts in history to Medicaid and food assistance. Let’s keep the main thing, the main thing."
Stephenson also highlighted Jeffries’ efforts to communicate with his colleagues and preview his messaging. She noted that he held "multiple calls" to discuss his speech on Trump’s first 100 days in office and provided talking points "emphasizing the Leader’s message that President Trump’s first 100 days have been a disaster for the American people."
Despite these efforts, Etienne’s criticism suggests that some within the Democratic Party believe Jeffries needs to take a more proactive and assertive approach to shaping the party’s message and countering Trump’s influence.
Highlighting Democratic Wins and Setbacks
Etienne acknowledged that Democrats have achieved some messaging successes, such as "successfully demonizing Elon Musk" and Sen. Cory Booker’s recent record-breaking filibuster speech. However, she also pointed to setbacks, particularly the liberal protests during Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress.
Etienne argued that these protests were an "embarrassing" moment for the party and Jeffries, as they shifted the focus away from Trump’s message and onto the actions of the protesters. "If you look at the headlines post-the speech, even during the speech, it was more about Democrats and Democrats protesting rather than what Trump was actually saying," she said. "And in those kind of moments, you don’t want to become the story. You want Trump to be the story."
Etienne also suggested that the protests reflected a lack of respect for Jeffries’ leadership, as he had reportedly asked for no protests to occur. "And I also thought it was a problem for Mr. Jeffries. I mean, it really says a lot about how people value his leadership. He asked for no protest. And what did they do? They protest 50 different ways."
Discord Among Democrats
The article underscores the ongoing discord within the Democratic Party over messaging and leadership. Etienne’s criticism of Jeffries, coupled with the defensive responses from his allies, highlights the challenges of unifying the party and developing a coherent strategy for countering Trump.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) seized on the Democrats’ infighting, with spokesman Mike Marinella stating, "Hakeem Jeffries is the so-called leader of a team that doesn’t fear him, doesn’t follow him, and now, doesn’t even pretend to respect him."
Democratic strategist Julian Epstein also weighed in, criticizing Jeffries’ leadership style as "passive" and suggesting that he gives "no sense of direction or purpose." Epstein argued that the Democrats in the House "seem like a big blob that goes wherever gravity takes them, and right now gravity is taking them to the hard protest left."
Epstein concluded that the Democrats’ challenges extend beyond leadership, arguing that "if the Democrats are selling a product that voters don’t like, it won’t matter" who the leader is.
The article suggests that the Democratic Party faces significant challenges in the current political landscape. These challenges include developing a clear and effective message, unifying the party behind a common strategy, and addressing concerns about leadership and direction. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats can overcome these challenges and mount a successful challenge to Trump and the Republican Party.
