Think tank urges Democrats to drop woke vocabulary to win over voters
By willowt // 2025-08-25
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  • A left-leaning think tank has urged Democrats to stop using 45 terms that alienate voters, including "privilege," "microaggression," and "BIPOC."
  • The terms are broken down into categories such as "therapy speak," "seminar room language," "organizer jargon," "gender/orientation correctness," "racial constructs," and "explaining away crime."
  • Third Way highlights Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego as examples of effective communicators.
  • The memo argues that this language makes Democrats sound "extreme, divisive, elitist and obfuscatory," which can alienate potential supporters.
  • The think tank emphasizes the need for authentic communication to build a broader coalition and win elections.
In the wake of the 2024 elections, a left-leaning think tank, Third Way, has released a memo urging Democrats to drop 45 terms that are alienating voters. The memo, titled "Was It Something I Said?" argues that while the intent of this language is to promote inclusivity and empathy, the effect is often the opposite, making Democrats sound "extreme, divisive, elitist and obfuscatory." The memo is a clear call to action for Democrats to reassess their communication strategies as they prepare for the 2028 elections.

The memo's key findings

Therapy-speak: These terms, such as "privilege," "microaggression," and "triggering," are meant to show empathy but often make people uncomfortable and feel judged. "We are doing our best to get Democrats to talk like normal people and stop talking like they’re leading a seminar at Antioch," said Matt Bennett, Third Way’s executive vice president of public affairs. Seminar room language: Words like "subverting norms," "systems of oppression," and "critical theory" are often seen as academic jargon that alienates the average voter. Third Way argues that using such language can trigger distrust and make it difficult to connect with the concerns of everyday people. Organizer jargon: Terms like "radical transparency," "stakeholders," and "the unhoused" are criticized for making Democrats sound like they are more beholden to groups than to individuals. "Democrats can fight for the poor, the hungry, the homeless and immigrants more effectively if they speak in everyday language and in the language of those most affected by these issues," the memo states. Gender/orientation correctness: Phrases like "birthing person," "chest feeding," and "cisgender" are seen as confusing and alienating to many voters. The memo suggests that standing up for LGBTQ+ rights requires clear and relatable language to build a broad coalition, not complex academic terms. Racial constructs: Terms such as "BIPOC," "intersectionality," and "allyship" are criticized for making discussions about race even more challenging and fraught with the risk of being labeled as racist if the "correct" terminology is not used. Explaining away crime: Words like "justice-involved," "carceration," and "involuntary confinement" are seen as reducing the severity of criminal behavior and making victims feel overlooked. "People deserve to feel safe where they live, work and go to school, and we can’t defend the progress we’ve made on criminal justice reform or hope to make more unless we acknowledge that reality in plain terms," the memo argues.

Case studies: Effective communicators

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear - Beshear is praised for his authentic communication and his ability to connect with voters. "Beshear is getting this so exactly right, talking about how these terms aren’t even what those communities use to call themselves," said Lanae Erickson, Third Way’s senior vice president. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg - Buttigieg is noted for his ability to engage in complex conversations about issues like transgender people in sports without alienating his audience. "He’s not afraid to say those things, and he’s getting yelled at," Erickson said. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego - Gallego is highlighted for his straightforward approach to economic issues. "Gallego is doing a great job talking about economic success," Erickson noted. "He goes into communities and he’s like, ‘I want you to have a big ass truck, if that’s what you want.’”

The Broader context

The memo reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party to reassess its messaging and communication strategies. Critics of the party, such as comedians Bill Maher and Vice President JD Vance, have long pointed out that the use of overly academic and politically correct language can be off-putting. Vance, during an interview with Fox News, said, "The autopsy for the Democrats, some free political advice from the president of the United States is: stop sounding like crazy people." The Third Way memo is a call to action for Democrats to communicate more authentically and effectively. The think tank emphasizes that while Democrats should not abandon their values, they need to speak in a way that resonates with the average voter. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com Politco.com ThirdWay.org
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