MSNBC host Jen Psaki urges Dems to ‘talk like a human being’ and ‘burn’ DNC talking points
MSNBC host Jen Psaki urged members of the Democratic Party to “burn” Democratic National Committee (DNC) talking points and to speak “like a human being with a heart.”
“People just have to become a little bit more relaxed, let go of the talking points, which — it’s funny, in part of my transition from being a communications ex-person to being on television is we would have officials on, and I would finish an interview, and I’d say, ‘We can’t have that person on again. They like literally read a list of talking points.’ There is a letting-go and being a little freer and not being so preservationist with how you talk about things, the words you use to talk about things. Just talk like a human being with a heart. That’s it,” Psaki told the co-hosts of the “I’ve Had It” podcast on Tuesday.
Psaki referenced former President Barack Obama, for whom she worked, and said Obama urged politicians to speak authentically instead of relying on polling or party scripts.
“Don’t start with what the polling says. Don’t start with what the talking points say that are given to you by the DNC or wherever it is. First of all, no offense to the DNC — burn the talking points in the ground, you know? Start with what is your view personally. You’re a leader. You’re educated. You’re informed. And just say that. And it sounds simple, but a lot of people don’t do that,” Psaki said.
Psaki — who served as White House press secretary under former President Joe Biden — has repeatedly called on Democrats to abandon scripted messaging following President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. She told listeners on The Bulwark’s “The Focus Group” podcast in March that lawmakers should “decide what you think authentically.”
In February, Psaki also criticized Democrats’ language during an appearance on Jon Stewart’s “The Weekly Show.” She urged party leaders to drop overly academic rhetoric, saying they should “cross authoritarianism and oligarchy out of every script. Nobody talks this way.”
Psaki went on to say that Vice President JD Vance was “scarier” than Trump and joked that Usha Vance may feel the same way during her conversation on the “I’ve Had It” podcast.
“I think the little Manchurian candidate, JD Vance, wants to be president more than anything else,” Psaki said. “I always wonder what’s going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? Please blink four times. We’ll come over here. We’ll save you.”
“And that he’s willing to do anything to get there. And your whole iteration you just outlined, I mean, he’s scarier in certain ways in some ways. And he’s young and ambitious and agile in the sense that he’s a chameleon who makes himself whatever he thinks the audience wants to hear from him.”
The podcast episode’s description also referenced this joke, stating, “Usha Vance, please blink twice if you need help.”
