Talking to our Wyoming neighbors
about the Freedom Caucus
GOOD NARRATIVE: THE BASICS
Here’s a basic truth when it comes to creating change: IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE RIGHT.
You might have all the facts and figures in the world, and the moral high ground, but those don’t get people to act. What matters is whether you’re able to persuade someone, using language, values, and messages that resonate with them.
If our movement wants to win state-level policies that improve life for the people of Wyoming, we’re going to need to get on the same page in the way we talk about it.
TOP TIP! Good narrative is built on these values, which Wyomingites tend to share:
Freedom, Community, Honesty, Hardwork, and Pride in the Land.
Some DOs and DON'Ts...
DON’T repeat the opposition’s messaging. This just amplifies their points.
DO “pre-bunk” opposition messaging: know your opposition's messaging, and neutralize it in advance if you can.
DON’T fixate on crisis messaging or depressing stories. This de-motivates people.
DO tie serious problems to collective, constructive policy solutions.
DON’T just tell stories. Research shows that this makes it harder for your audience to understand the importance of collective solutions, and instead makes them believe that problems are for individuals to solve.
DO use stories to illustrate collective or policy solutions.
DON’T depend on facts and figures. By themselves, these do not help. Moreover, they can easily be misinterpreted.
DO tie facts and figures to shared values, narrative, and solutions. Try to interpret the facts and figures for your audience first, before actually presenting those facts and figures.
DON’T use jargon.
DO use strong, clear, direct communication.
Narrative SUBJECT GUIDE: The Freedom Caucus
Want a printable version of this guide? Download it here.
Introduction
Values-based messaging is always important. Talking about our shared Wyoming values reveals how out-of-state groups like the Freedom Caucus don’t want what’s best for our communities.
Remember that good narrative meets an audience where they are. Use the DOs and DON’Ts above to help with this.
This narrative guide draws on input from real voters from across Wyoming.
“FC politics divides towns and weakens the conservative values that built this state: honesty, decency, and pulling together when times are tough.”
“Real Wyoming conservatives solve problems — they don’t create them.”
A note on "villains":
Good narratives often rely on presenting someone as the “villain”, and the clear villains in this situation are extremist out-of-state groups. Describe villains with caution, however:
- Avoid name-calling or highly emotionally charged language, as this will only delegitimize your narrative.
- Name individual lawmakers where appropriate, and always link them to the group they belong to.
- Never rely on the “bad guys” or political jargon as a shorthand for explaining why something is bad. For example, don’t simply state that the Freedom Caucus trying to cut mental health programs is obviously bad; instead, quickly explain why these cuts are against our values, who is responsible for them, and how/why these politicians are using this maneuver to hurt our state.
Start with SHARED VALUES...
Build what you write or say on values that, research has shown, Wyomingites tend to share. This helps your reader or listener feel more "on your side" right away.
Shared Value: FREEDOM
The Freedom Caucus will just keep taking away Wyomingites’ freedoms and liberties.
The Freedom Caucus is more concerned with interfering with individual rights than with fixing real problems.
Shared Value: HARD WORK
The Freedom Caucus is fixated on social issues and national arguments, rather than working to address actual Wyoming problems.
True Wyoming conservatives work hard for their communities. They listen to their neighbors’ needs, not an out-of-state agenda.
Shared Value: COMMUNITY
Our communities need diversified, stable economies. The Freedom Caucus’s policies only make our economy worse and the boom and bust cycle more likely to persist.
The Freedom Caucus wants to defund vital community programs that we all depend on.
The Freedom Caucus’s us-versus-them approach to politics is splitting our communities.
We want lawmakers who understand and care for our communities. Many Freedom Caucus lawmakers just moved in from out of state, and aren’t the kind of community leaders we usually elect.
Wyoming wants lawmakers who are thoughtful about how policies will impact our communities, not who only want to score political points.
Shared Value: HONESTY
The Freedom Caucus is dishonest about its goals: it’s grabbing power rather than doing what’s right for Wyoming.
The Freedom Caucus doesn’t care about conservative values - many lawmakers in The Freedom Caucus just have personal agendas, or are following marching orders from national groups.
Freedom Caucus members get marching orders on how to vote and act, rather than representing their communities.
The Freedom Caucus hides irrelevant, out-of-state agendas behind traditional conservative values.
Wyoming doesn’t want politicians who turn their back on/ignore the folks who voted them in.
Map your narrative onto the WYOMING MINDSET...
Research has shown us the thoughts and feelings that Wyomingites tend to share around these issues. We all share similar concerns, and knowing this can be useful for crafting your argument.
Tapping into Emotions
- Wyoming conservatives have a long and proud history. They know who they are. The Freedom Caucus is trying to tell them who’s allowed to be conservative and who isn’t.
- The Freedom Caucus has no real plans except building their own political power. Many Wyomingites are worried about their future and their children’s future, and want real solutions to the problems they face.
Acknowledging Pain Points
- Wyomingites are tired of extreme partisanship, which is all the Freedom Caucus focuses on. We want lawmakers who will get things done for our communities.
- The Freedom Caucus’s policies just maintain our boom-and-bust economic cycle. This isn’t what’s right for Wyoming’s children and our future.
- By preventing a diverse economy, the Freedom Caucus is forcing our children and families to leave the state
Pursuing Aspirations
- Wyomingites want to be free from the overreach of powerful out-of-state groups like The Freedom Caucus.
- Wyoming is proud of how we educate our young people. The Freedom Caucus is trying to dismantle that system, hurting our children and their future.
- Wyoming needs more good-paying jobs. The Freedom Caucus’s anti-business stances against economic diversification and the Wyoming Business Council prevent job creation.
- We want Wyoming solutions to Wyoming problems.
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