Over recent weeks, national Republicans have landed on a simple messaging line framing the midterms as a battle of “common sense vs. communist crazy,” a refrain used by dozens of speakers during the GOP midterm convention in Dallas last week.
That line was developed by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), who put it in messaging guidance to other GOP offices, The Post has learned.
“For months leading into the convention, I worked with our team to build a clear, consistent message around the contrast at the heart of this election: common sense versus communist crazy,” McClain explained to The Post.
“My goal was simple: put our record side-by-side with their agenda and make sure Republicans were telling that story with one voice.”
In late June, President Trump began regularly describing the Democrats as communists amid the breakthrough of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in key primary contests.
Trump later issued a dramatic warning about communists during his Independence Day address to the country.
McClain seized on that desire to brand the far-left as communists rather than socialists and developed the “common sense vs. communist crazy” line in response.
Her team later had it poll-tested last month to ensure it was effective and began encouraging Republicans to use the phrase during House GOP conference meetings, in August recess packets, and in guidance for lawmakers’ communications directors.
The refrain quickly became commonplace during House GOP leadership press conferences and the Michigan congresswoman’s TV hits.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), for example, started reprimanding reporters who would refer to the DSA by its name instead of his preferred term: “communists.”
“The left-wing corrupt media want us to call them democratic socialists. It’s another lie,” Emmer boomed during his address to the convention. “Do not let them do it. There is absolutely nothing democratic about socialism. By the way, these people aren’t even socialists.”
“They’re communists, and they’re anarchists, and they hate our country.”
Since at least the Biden administration, Democrats have similarly worked to paint Republicans as radicals, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) frequently calling them “extreme MAGA Republicans.”
But Republicans are hoping that their messaging effort to spotlight the far-left will be more effective.
“Our record is small government with big results,” McClain said. “We slammed the border shut, made our cities and streets safer, and delivered what we’ve called the largest tax cut for working and middle-class families in American history.”
“Now contrast that with the Democrats’ agenda: reopening the border, defunding the police, allowing men and boys in girls’ locker rooms, and taking more money out of Americans’ pockets.”
In reflecting on how last week’s GOP midterm convention went, McClain praised the “consistency of the message throughout” the gathering by Republican speakers.
Republicans are widely seen as the underdogs in the battle for control of the House, with Kalshi giving them a roughly 15% shot of holding onto it and bleak polling on the generic congressional ballot question.
Still, top Republicans, including McClain and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), have been adamant that the GOP will defy expectations.
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