WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A widely circulated internal memo said congressional Democrats are losing the battle for U.S. voters because the party's message is lacking emotional appeal.
The critique of U.S. House of Representatives Democratic communications strategy by a former Appropriations Committee spokesman called the Democrats' message something that "sounds like an audit report on defense logistics," The Hill, a Washington newspaper, reported Friday.
Written by Dave Helfert, who works for Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, the memo was sent to all Democratic press secretaries and communication directors following a Washington staff meeting, the newspaper said.
Helfert said the session left him cold because it focused on what polling shows voters want rather than how to present persuasive messages.
"Why are we defending (the State Children's Health Insurance Program) instead of advocating a 'Healthy Kids' plan?" wrote Helfert. "Republicans have been kicking our rhetorical butt since about 1995."
Helfert's memo apparently failed to impress Democratic leadership aides.
"Everybody's a message expert," one aide told The Hill. "The fact of the matter is Democrats are working hard to communicate our accomplishments."
