The Democrats' Marketing Mistake

CBS News ^ | November 30, 2004 | Trent Wisecup

[kupia_kummi]

The new fad in American politics in 2004 was data mining. The Republican and Democratic National Committees invested heavily in building large databases that used consumer marketing information to segment voters into groups for highly customized communications.

Given the seriousness of the effort in both parties, it is hard to see how the Democrats ended up being so far off in the messages they delivered to the much ballyhooed NASCAR-dad voter. Clearly, the Democrats attempt to co-opt the marketing techniques of corporate America was undermined by their disdain of big business and the purchasing habits of average Americans.

Next to President Bush, few things anger liberals more than Wal-Mart and Detroit's Big Three automakers. The liberal intelligentsia views Wal-Mart as the most frightening force in corporate America because it maintains a non-union workforce. The Big Three are scorned because they make trucks and SUVs that consume copious amounts of gasoline. Liberals believe America would be a much better country if more of us drove Toyota Priuses to Whole Foods each week instead of hopping into Ford F-150s to get our groceries at Wal-Mart.

[TexasCajun]

The Democrats' Marketing Mistake

Using Michael Moore to sell their Beauty & Hygiene Products!

[N. Theknow]

And this is from CBS *achoo* news *achoo* website *achoo* (I'm sorry, I'm just allergic to bullshit.)

Best line in I, Robot.

[donmeaker]

I kind of hanker after an F-150, cause when I shoot wild pigs, the blood doesnt smear up the upholstery.

Wal-mart groceries tend to be cheaper. A belly full of walmart groceries do me better than a half a belly full of whole wheatery stuff.

But I don't get much of my meat at walmart....

[GoBucks2002]

The point here is that the Democrats talk down to Middle America.

My mother drives a very fuel-efficient car, shops at organic stores, listens to NPR, is a member of a labor union-- and votes Republican! (She is staunchly pro-life and was highly offended by Clinton.)

Since she is a registered Republican, she gets lots of mail from the GOP. This year, however, some of the other above traits landed her on Demo/lefty mailing lists as well. I've never seen one voter get so much mail before!

[230FMJ]

When you show me how to fit my tools and a 4'x8' sheet of plywood in the back of a Prius, I'll listen to you. Until then, live your own life, and stay out of mine.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wal Mart pays its suppliers in 180 days. The suppliers stock the shelves in many locations.

[Nick Danger]

Using Michael Moore to sell their Beauty & Hygiene Products!

You certainly have opened a can of worms there. Imagine that there was such a thing as "Democrat Beauty and Hygiene Products."

We could start with whatever Terezah the Ketchup Queen uses to make her hair so, umm, interesting. Then there's the Susan Estrich skin creme; that'll be a big seller. Then we got yer Botox for women, Botox for Metrosexuals, and Botox for your cat. Then there's all those Michael Moore exercise tapes. Watch just one, and you won't be able to eat for a week. Think of the weight loss!

I think the Democrats might be the first political party in history where the men are prettier than the women. You can see why the gays all vote Democrat; just take one look at John Edwards. And his wife.

[Chemist_Geek]

Until then, live your own life, and stay out of mine.

Wrong. Driving gas-guzzlers endangers America's energy security, by needlessly consuming excess oil.

Oh, and here's your answer:

[MississippiMan]

Is anyone denying that this is, in fact, true? Honestly, you don't have to be a liberal to think it would be a better idea for people to use less fuel and better food.

Yes, I deny it. If it's better for you, great. But I buy my gas and I'm willing to buy more of it if that gives me the additional comfort or performance that I want. As for food, maybe I don't think the food at Whole Foods IS better. Dunno for sure, since I never heard of Whole Foods.

MM

[lepton]

but if Detroit made a good hybrid, I'd encourage everyone I know to get it.

Is it really a good use of resources? ...and what is "a good hybrid"? Are hybrids really any better than stripped down diesels?

[lepton]

Wrong. Driving gas-guzzlers endangers America's energy security, by needlessly consuming excess oil.

Not near as much as the effective ban on nuclear power. Heck, reverse that, and electric/hybrid cars might become practical.

[JusPasenThru]

"Liberals believe America would be a much better country if more of us drove Toyota Priuses to Whole Foods each week instead of hopping into Ford F-150s to get our groceries at Wal-Mart." Is anyone denying that this is, in fact, true? Honestly, you don't have to be a liberal to think it would be a better idea for people to use less fuel and better food. Maybe not buying foreign automobiles, but if Detroit made a good hybrid, I'd encourage everyone I know to get it. And, the food it categorically better at Whole Foods. I prefer to shop there, where I know exactly where, in the US, the food I'm buying comes from - a luxury not afforded to me in Wal-Mart.

Are you a bobo in paradise?

[rdb3]

The liberal intelligentsia views Wal-Mart as the most frightening force in corporate America because it maintains a non-union workforce.

The "liberal intelligentsia" looks at Wal-Mart this way? FR must be full of liberal intelligentsia! Who knew?

[swilhelm73]

bttt

[TChris]

A bad product kills a good marketing plan every time.

Hmmm... Microsoft could probably teach you how you are wrong. A strong marketing department can work miracles. A two-term Bill Clinton is another good example of this.

[jerry639]

I agree that it sounds like a lib statement.
I buy and drive the type of vehicle I want and buy my food wherever I want. It's my money and nobody should be telling any of us what to do. Who wants to drive a vehicle with a lawnmower engine? Own two vehicles, both over 200 hp.

[MeanWestTexan]

A monopoly does not need a marketing plan.

[TChris]

A monopoly does not need a marketing plan.

True. But how did it get in that position? Only a masterful marketing department can get you into the position of a monopoly without living in a communist country. ...especially with ho-hum products to sell.

[MeanWestTexan]

IBM was, for all practical purposes, the entire business market at the critical time --- as they said, no one ever got fired for buying IBM.

IBM went with MS DOS b/c it was handy. No marketing involved, particularly. Just one meeting where Bill Gates lied about DOS's capability --- after stealing the underlying code for DOS from someone else, I recall.

He kept the license for the code, 'cause IBM believed there was no money in software, let alone a stupid operating system.

Of course, IBM was esentially a communist country at the time. Promised lifetime employment, in fact. Well, lifetime or whenever IBM went broke, whichever came first.

So I guess your premise holds.