[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.
If you're wondering what led to the sudden shift in the official White House Twitter account's posting strategy: https://t.co/YiOdfUi2dM
— Jeff Craven (@jeffbcraven) August 26, 2022
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.
What's that about paying loans back? https://t.co/pPkV2YzNFZ pic.twitter.com/ML4MMdRujm
— CAP Action (@CAPAction) August 24, 2022
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.
Even more. pic.twitter.com/qZimGUaPeP
— rayne (@trayne_wreck) August 25, 2022
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.
REPORTER: Is this unfair to people who paid their student loans or chose not to take out loans?
BIDEN: Is it fair to people who, in fact, do not own multi-billion-dollar businesses if they see one of these guys getting all the tax breaks? Is that fair? What do you think? pic.twitter.com/HA9LzLBMSC— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) August 24, 2022
“That’s the stuff,” Einenkel wrote.
And Thursday afternoon, Biden reiterated his commitment to his student loan relief and reforms.
To those Republicans in Congress who believe student debt shouldn’t be forgiven:
I will never apologize for helping America’s middle class – especially not to the same folks who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut for the wealthy and giant corporations that racked up the deficit.— President Biden (@POTUS) August 25, 2022
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.
Dear GOP colleagues, before you offer your hot takes on student debt relief, please make sure you or your colleagues didn’t have one of your government loans forgiven. Otherwise, I will absolutely scorch you.
Yes, I’m looking at you @RepMTG.— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) August 25, 2022
But did we really expect the White House to wield a flaming Twitter Torch of Truth by Thursday evening?
Behold:
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene had $183,504 in PPP loans forgiven.https://t.co/4FoCymt8TB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
Congressman Vern Buchanan had over $2.3 million in PPP loans forgiven.https://t.co/bXpwJlWRm4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
Congressman Markwayne Mullin had over $1.4 million in PPP loans forgiven.https://t.co/Vc7mLQa2RS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
Congressman Kevin Hern had over $1 million in PPP loans forgiven. https://t.co/XsBaqxNZN4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
Congressman Mike Kelly had $987,237 in PPP loans forgiven.https://t.co/Syb5Oe8gDG
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
Congressman Matt Gaetz had $482,321 in PPP loans forgiven.https://t.co/XPgC0pETkp
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2022
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.
— NM ☮️🖖🏾🌻🌊☮️ (@BanaChase) August 25, 2022
We love it! More of this! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/qlvYrDX57i
— GeorgiaPeach OG Biden Babe 🥁🇺🇸 (@ChrisFromGA68) August 25, 2022
Folks also had some theories on this new approach’s origin story.
They raided @JohnFetterman campaign staff 😁😎
— BlkHd (@blk_hd) August 25, 2022
A deep hat tip to this fine person for inspiring my headline:
They’re having a barbecue at the @WhiteHouse 🔥 https://t.co/ovKJzZsWib
— AltAlexanderHamilton (@AltAlexanderHam) August 25, 2022
Others were rightfully concerned about the potential fallout from such an aggressive, factual approach.
Hey, WH staff, just so you know, if you're going to continue to drag these hypocrites with clear and hard-hitting messaging, you run a serious risk of surging enthusiasm, electoral success, and continued improvements to the lives of millions of Americans.
— Scott Lynch (@scottlynch78) August 25, 2022
But generally, people were just glad to see Democrats push back.
More of this, please. We can’t let their lies go unchallenged.
— Rachel Vindman 🌻 (@natsechobbyist) August 25, 2022
Especially considering that Republicans always, always push.
Republicans: They'll never fight back.
White House: pic.twitter.com/xTHt0uqdTO— ZeroFoxGiven (@MurphyMay17) August 25, 2022
Perhaps It was Kate who summed it up most perfectly.
Holy shit the White House isn’t fucking around anymore either and I LOVE IT
— Kate 🪬🤍🇺🇸 (@ImSpeaking13) August 25, 2022
Republished with permission from Daily Kos.