To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes Conor Lamb: Democratic Messaging, Crime, and the Trump Threat
Aug 14, 2025
Conor Lamb, former Pennsylvania Congressman and Substack writer, shares his insights on the Democratic Party's hurdles ahead of the midterms. They discuss strategies for regaining trust on crime, countering Trump's narrative, and the importance of credible messaging. Lamb dives into the impact of gerrymandering and the party's internal divisions, as well as the need for accountability among elected officials. With public sentiment shifting, he stresses the urgent need for Democrats to present a clear and compelling vision to voters.
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Party Brand Is Personal
- Voter perceptions tie party brands to recent prominent figures rather than abstract platforms.
- Conor Lamb says low Democratic approval reflects Joe Biden's standing more than party-wide failure.
Diversity Can Be A Strength
- Democrats contain a wide range of views which can be strength rather than weakness.
- Lamb argues the party should embrace regional and ideological diversity instead of mimicking Republican uniformity.
Fund Police To Reduce Crime
- Acknowledge crime seriously and fund local police rather than performative federal deployments.
- Lamb urges Democrats to push federal resources for hiring and retaining trained officers to reduce crime.