Ex-Pelosi aide undercuts Jeffries’ leadership of House Dems

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has come under fire from former Pelosi advisor Ashley Etienne for not effectively capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the Trump era. Etienne, who played a key role in overseeing Democrats’ messaging during President Trump’s first impeachment, expressed disappointment in Jeffries’ leadership, suggesting that he was missing out on anti-Trump messaging opportunities.

Etienne acknowledged that Jeffries was performing well in many areas and that she had a great deal of respect for him. However, she indicated that he was failing to provide clear direction to party members on key issues, pointing out a lack of messaging discipline.

In response to Etienne’s criticism, Jeffries’ allies defended his leadership, emphasizing the importance of focusing on Trump’s low poll numbers and Republicans’ policies. They highlighted the impact of Trump’s plummeting approval ratings on House Republicans and the need to prioritize key legislative priorities.

Despite the pushback, Etienne’s comments underscored the ongoing challenges faced by Democrats in crafting an effective messaging strategy. She pointed to recent successes in demonizing figures like Elon Musk and Sen. Cory Booker, but also highlighted missteps such as the disruptive protests during Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress.

Etienne expressed concern that Democrats were becoming the story rather than keeping the focus on Trump, citing the need for effective leadership from Jeffries. She criticized the protests during Trump’s speech as embarrassing and suggested that they reflected poorly on Jeffries’ leadership.

While Jeffries’ office emphasized his collaboration with Pelosi and efforts to communicate key messages to Democratic groups, critics continued to question his effectiveness as a leader. Democratic strategist Julian Epstein raised concerns about Jeffries’ passive leadership style and the party’s lack of a clear direction.

In the midst of internal discord and criticism, House Republicans seized on the opportunity to highlight divisions within the Democratic Party. The NRCC criticized Jeffries’ leadership, portraying him as a weak and ineffective leader.

As Democrats continue to grapple with messaging challenges and internal divisions, the need for strong leadership and a cohesive strategy remains paramount. While Jeffries faces criticism from some quarters, the party as a whole must work together to effectively communicate their message and appeal to voters.

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