Subject: New Poll: Trade, Union and Bank Debates Help Progressives in 2016
From: Democracy Corps and the Roosevelt Institute<[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2016 16:43:58 +0000
List-Id: 12c7cd9f433f9a73481efaa09mc list <12c7cd9f433f9a73481efaa09.46925.list-id.mcsv.net>

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Roosevelt "Rewriting the Rules" Agenda Strengthened by Trade, Union and Bank Debates

At a time when two-thirds of the country says America is on the wrong track and when conservatives are mounting a sustained attack on America’s direction, the country is even more ready to embrace a Rewriting the Rules (http://rooseveltinstitute.org/rewriting-rules-report/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29) narrative, agenda and message, according to this new poll with Democracy Corps (http://www.democracycorps.com/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29) .  Bringing in trade, union representation and banking regulation only adds to the power of these bold changes, first advanced by the Roosevelt Institute (http://rooseveltinstitute.org/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29) nine months ago.

These issues are being debated in the Democratic primary, and all the candidates have endorsed major policy recommendations at the heart of the Rewriting the Rules report. President Obama too has talked about the need “to reduce the influence of money in our politics, so that a handful of families or hidden interests can’t bankroll our elections.” However, he and some Democratic candidates are calling for the country to “defend and build on the progress we’ve made” the past 7 years and saying we need “a sensible achievable agenda.”[1] (#_ftn1) That is less aligned with the changes the report advocates.  That message has allowed the Republican presidential candidates to embrace change and talk about wage stagnation, rising inequality on Obama’s watch, the need for more jobs and trade agreements that don’t hurt America.

In economic terms, the national contest is getting harder. But there is a huge opportunity for progressives to emerge victorious if they lay down the battle lines. We see again and again policies and messages that are framed as checks on corporate power show the greatest potential to drive enthusiasm and unite Americans.

This online poll of 1,200 likely voters shows progressive candidates who embrace an aggressive “Level the Playing Field” message enhanced with progressive positions on trade and unions dominate the conservative candidates with their conservative message and policies.[2] (#_ftn2) This progressive message begins with frustration this country doesn’t work for the middle class, is governed by “trickle down” economics, and allows CEOs and billionaires to write the rules so government works for them, not you. But in a major new finding, this survey shows that bringing in opposition to new trade agreements written by big corporations seeking to undermine American jobs and incomes and voicing support for union representation so working people can challenge corporate power for higher income elevates both vote and turnout.

The union-centric message performs particularly well with progressive base voters, but candidates should also welcome the trade debate. With TPP and NAFTA very unpopular, especially among independents, the trade-centric message performs particularly well with independents. Bringing trade into the debate also further undermines support for key conservative economic principles overall.

New policies that go beyond Glass-Steagall to regulate the financial sector and break up the big banks further strengthens the progressive economic argument. Adding tough new rules that make “our financial system work for families, small businesses and community banks” gives progressives effective new language on Wall Street reform.

These three additions – strengthening unions, opposing new trade deals and reigning in Wall Street risk – can all be subsumed under the central principle of the Rewriting the Rules report: that CEOs, corporations and big banks have used their power and influence to write the rules in their favor and it’s time to rewrite the rules to level the playing field and grow the middle class.

Finally, this survey settles some important tactical issues that will make progressive messages more powerful:

* Jobs remain the elemental starting point, even more than higher incomes, though an economy that creates more jobs must be buttressed by government policies and greater worker empowerment that allow jobs will pay enough to live on and reward hard work.

* Focusing on the corruption of our government by billionaires and corporate donors is very powerful; though raising the Koch brothers specifically wipes out any advantage in the message.

* Centering on the middle class and bringing in working families sustains our messages, but moving to “ordinary people” and like substitutes weakens it.

These results could not be more timely and useful. They build on research we conducted last fall on leveling the playing field in America, as part of the Roosevelt Institute’s Rewriting the Rules project.

READ THE FULL MEMO (http://www.democracycorps.com/National-Surveys/taking-on-trade-unions-and-banks-in-2016/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)

[1] (#_ftnref1) https://www.hillaryclinton.com/feed/what-president-obamas-legacy-means-me/;?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/25/us/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-democratic-party-iowa-new-hampshire.html?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29
[2] (#_ftnref2) National Web-Survey of 1,200 Likely 2016 Voters. This survey took place January 6- 12, 2016. Likely voters were determined based on whether they voted in 2012 or registered since and stated intention of voting in 2016. Data shown in this deck is among all 2016 likely voters unless otherwise noted. Margin of error for the full sample is +/-2.83 percentage points at 95% confidence.  Margin of error will be higher among subgroups.

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Democracy Corps is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to making the government of the United States more responsive to the American people. It was founded in 1999 by James Carville and Stanley Greenberg. Democracy Corps provides public opinion research and strategic advice to those dedicated to a more responsive Congress and Presidency. Learn more at www.democracycorps.com (http://www.democracycorps.com?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)
The Roosevelt Institute Until economic and social rules work for all Americans, they’re not working. Inspired by the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor, the Roosevelt Institute reimagines the rules to create a nation where everyone enjoys a fair share of our collective prosperity. We are a 21st century think tank bringing together multiple generations of thinkers and leaders to help drive key economic and social debates and have local and national impact. Learn more at www.rooseveltinstitute.org (http://www.rooseveltinstitute.org/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)
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Read on our website (http://www.democracycorps.com/National-Surveys/taking-on-trade-unions-and-banks-in-2016/?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)
Read the memo (http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/1021/Dcor_RTR%20Jan%20Web%20Survey_Memo_1.25.2016_for%20web.pdf?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)
View the presentation (http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/1021/Dcorps_RTR%20Jan%20Web%20Survey_1.25.16_v7.pdf?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)
View the toplines (http://www.democracycorps.com/attachments/article/1021/Democracy%20Corps%20Roosevelt%20FQ%20011216.pdf?utm_source=DCorps+General+List&utm_campaign=49bd828e4e-RTR+Web+Release&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_53ed41ca00-49bd828e4e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&ct=t%28RTR+Web+Release%29)

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