MAGA

MAGA supporter? Consider your goal

You aren't going to change their minds. This is the most important thing to recognize. If you would like to efficiently turn out votes for Democrats, it is far more effective to talk to undecided voters or recruit strong Democrats to reach out to their networks. In the long run, however, taking one step to the left is about building support for creating a world where everyone (including MAGA supporters) thrives. Even if someone's voting intentions don't change, decreasing support for harmful actions and increasing support for beneficial ones is crucial. Trump's success is due in part to tapping into a deep well of resentment about an America that isn't working for many of its citizens. The job of progressive activists is show that there are better ways to fix the problems that face us that don't involve violence and retribution.

Still want to dive in? Listen for the deeper interests that motivated them to support Trump

Check out the Deep Canvassing resources listed in the undecided voters section. Often compassionate listening and human connection are enough to dramatically reduce a person's resistance to progressive policies. Just like with undecided voters, curiosity and openness are key. MAGA voters face many of the same challenges as progressive voters: affordability, fears about safety, lack of housing, loss of jobs and opportunities, etc. The more you can get your friend connected to progressive organizing that effectively addresses their concrete needs, the less susceptible they'll be to right-wing arguments. Voting is the least of what we need to do to build a thriving society.

If you are interested in doing more to peel away potential MAGA voters, SURJ is a fantastic organization that focuses on winning white voters away from MAGA. Check out their strategy call for the 2024 election. You can also check out other organizing groups here.

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Diving deeper: People resist conclusions, not logic

Ever get frustrated that your MAGA friend just won't see the light? As Katherine Hayhoe points out in her excellent book on talking about climate change, you cannot use logic to lead a person to a conclusion they refuse to reach. Instead, the key is to address their real concerns about the conclusion you'd like them to reach. What would need to change about their lives if what you were trying to persuade them of were true? What would have to change about their understanding of themselves?

If acknowledging that Trump didn't win the 2020 election means your friend has to accept that they're a gullible dupe who can't keep their family safe, they're not going to do it. When you attempt to strip away the beliefs that protect your friend from feeling vulnerable and helpless, it plunges them into fight/flight mode. Their attention narrows to fighting off (or fleeing from) the perceived threat, and they lose access to the parts of the brain that allow humans to incorporate new information, take multiple perspectives, and change their minds.

Instead of doing this, your job is to connect with them in a supportive and non-threatening way and to decrease their feelings of helplessness and vulnerability.

You may also find the resources for creating cultural change to be helpful.

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