If you’re looking for a new drinking game to play this election season, try taking a shot of tequila every time you hear a Democratic candidate say the phrase “make it in America” from now until Nov. 2.
You’ll lose your liver by Columbus Day.
House Democratic leadership doubled down on the Party’s primary campaign strategy Thursday, calling on candidates to push a message that Democrats are — and have always been — focused on jobs and the economy. During a press conference Thursday, Party leaders outlined a messaging effort to ensure the electorate that Democrats are the Party for job creation and the middle class. Within the presser that lasted about nine minutes, Democratic House leaders used iterations of the phrase “make it in America” no less than ten times. (Drink up, political junkies.)
The effort is perhaps in reaction to Republican claims that the Democrats have lost focus on unemployment and the economy, especially after Senate Democrats introduced a bill last week to tighten campaign finance restrictions and neither chamber would hold a vote on whether to extend any of the Bush-era tax cuts. The House subcommittee on immigration hearing featuring comedian Stephen Colbert didn’t help to keep them on message either, some said.
But Democrats appear to have learned their lesson. According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, they won’t stray far from the message that the Party’s first focus is jobs.
As part of Democrats’ renewed “Make it in America” initiative, they have released a document that lists what they said were the Party’s list of accomplishments, which includes increased spending on jobs for teachers, the Small Business Lending Act, and even the “Cash for Clunkers” program that economists said was a dud.
“These are the priorities we have as we go into the election,” Pelosi said. “We are very proud of many, many issues on the agenda that relate to our Make It in America agenda.”
During an election season that analysts predict could result in heavy losses for the majority, it is a message Democrats hope will resonate with Americans as they head (or in some cases, stumble) to the polls on Election Day.