August 26, 2022

[Above: "Know Your Meme" explains how we libs took over "Dark Brandon." - eds.]

Everyone’s heard it, and plenty of us have said it: Democrats need stronger messaging. Team Blue doesn’t often talk the same talk as those across the aisle and under that burning dumpster next to the manure pile. And while that’s not a bad thing—Republican rhetoric has led to appalling acts of violence, terrorism, and a whole-ass insurrection, after all—a bit of a stronger tone is sometimes warranted.

This is one of those times. And Dems are delivering, from the top on down, when it comes to combating the manufactured GOP outrage over student debt relief.

A quite viable theory for the tonal change emerging on presidential social media accounts has emerged.


From the New Jersey Globe, on Aug. 2:

“It’s an absolute dream come true to be joining the Office of Digital Strategy as Deputy Director of Platforms,” [Megan] Coyne said on Twitter on Monday. “So excited for the journey ahead.”

Coyne and her boss at the time, Pearl Gabel, brought life and a quintessential New Jersey manner to a once dull state-run Twitter account that began to take off in 2019.

“Who lets New Jersey have a Twitter?” tweeted someone with 88 followers.

The reply – “Your mom” – had nearly a half-million likes and 85,000 retweets.

More than 439,000 followers watch the wit and sarcasm of New Jersey’s official Twitter account every day, which has garnered national attention.

“Megan Coyne has been an incredibly valuable member of our team, and her humor and wit will be greatly missed in our office,” said [New Jersey Gov. Phil] Murphy. “Her passion for our state—and fierce defense of Central Jersey—is unparalleled and as the person behind @NJGov, Megan’s voice has become synonymous with New Jersey. I wish her the best at the White House.”

Daily Kos’ Laura Clawson shined a light on the hypocrisy of right-wing rants against President Joe Biden’s comprehensive and long-awaited student loan plan on Thursday morning. Read the full plan here.



Twitter users left and right quickly found examples to undermine the moral hazard claims from the GOP.


Daily Kos’ Aysha Qamar also found a fantastic thread sharing even more proof of right-wing hypocrisy, leaning on the popular “this you?” meme. Here’s a sample.


And Daily Kos’ Walter Einenkel also shared a clip from Biden’s Wednesday’s press conference, where he pushed back firmly against a reporter carrying water for Republicans.


“That’s the stuff,” Einenkel wrote.

And Thursday afternoon, Biden reiterated his commitment to his student loan relief and reforms.


Of course, it wasn’t just Twitter users, activists, and Biden pushing back. It was other elected officials. This one from Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, in hindsight, promises that fire is on the way.


But did we really expect the White House to wield a flaming Twitter Torch of Truth by Thursday evening?

Behold:


I don’t know about you, but I’m here for this new approach from the White House. And the replies—from folks who are so glad to see a firm response from this administration—are a meme motherlode.

Folks also had some theories on this new approach’s origin story.

A deep hat tip to this fine person for inspiring my headline:


Others were rightfully concerned about the potential fallout from such an aggressive, factual approach.

But generally, people were just glad to see Democrats push back.

Especially considering that Republicans always, always push.

Perhaps It was Kate who summed it up most perfectly.

Republished with permission from Daily Kos.

Can you help us out?

For nearly 20 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but now Facebook is drowning us in an ocean of right wing lies. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.

Discussion

We welcome relevant, respectful comments. Any comments that are sexist or in any other way deemed hateful by our staff will be deleted and constitute grounds for a ban from posting on the site. Please refer to our Terms of Service for information on our posting policy.
Mastodon