Former Obama Staffers Urge Democrats to Speak Like “Normal People”

Former Obama staffers and "Pod Save America" co-hosts Jon Lovett, Jon Favreau, and Tommy Vietor have called on Democrats to abandon their overly formal “press release” language and connect with voters using relatable, conversational messaging.

Speaking on MSNBC, they emphasized that Democrats must address their communication failures and focus on appealing directly to everyday Americans to win elections.

Jon Lovett argued that the Democratic Party needs to be more engaging and accessible. “If we want to be a party that can win elections, we have to be a party people want to attend. Look at a Trump rally—people are having fun, and Trump is engaging with them. Democrats need someone who can go anywhere, mix it up with people, and be a relatable presence,” Lovett said.

He added that Democrats should participate in broader platforms, like appearing on Joe Rogan’s show, to reach more voters.

Jon Favreau highlighted how the party’s tendency to sound overly polished is a major flaw. “Everybody writes their statements like they’re drafting the Federalist Papers. It’s not working—nobody is listening,” he said.

Favreau criticized the assumption that identity politics alone can guarantee Democratic votes, saying, “Assuming people will vote for us based on their identity is a losing strategy. It always has been. Democrats need to connect with people through ‘normal people language’—how you’d talk at a bar, a restaurant, or in daily life.”

The discussion also addressed the credibility problem Democrats face with voters. Lovett admitted that the party has failed to effectively communicate its message, especially regarding the threat posed by Donald Trump.

“We’ve lost so much credibility with people, and we haven’t been able to break through. We need to own the ways we’ve failed to communicate successfully,” he said.

Tommy Vietor emphasized the importance of honesty in addressing Democratic missteps. He pointed to how the party handled concerns about President Biden’s age as an example. “We spent too much time trying to convince voters their eyes weren’t seeing what they saw, which was a man too old to run for re-election. That was a mistake,” Vietor said.

The co-hosts also noted that Democrats need to focus on building trust with voters who feel disconnected. Favreau pointed out that non-college-educated voters across racial lines are increasingly voting together, making it crucial for the party to address their concerns directly.

“We need to make a case to people who feel left behind, and we can only do that by speaking their language,” he said.

The segment concluded with a critique of the Democratic Party’s overall messaging strategy. Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC, who participated in the discussion, expressed frustration that the party often comes across as overly serious or unappealing to voters.

“It shouldn’t be so easy for Republicans,” she lamented, echoing the co-hosts’ calls for more effective communication.

Lovett, Favreau, and Vietor ultimately urged Democrats to embrace authenticity and transparency while engaging voters with genuine, relatable messaging. Without these changes, they warned, the party risks losing its ability to connect with the American people.