Eric Schmeltzer

Dec 27, 2024 | newrepublic.com | Eric Schmeltzer

For those in the “acceptance” phase of the eight stages of grief over the 2024 election, reality has set in: Donald Trump will get most of what he wants through a GOP Congress. Worse, there doesn’t seem to be much of a plan—or even, really, an appetite—among Democrats to offer up much of a fight, the way Republicans unerringly do when Democratic presidents come to power.

Nov 15, 2024 | newrepublic.com | Eric Schmeltzer

It’s become something of a glum tradition in the Democratic Party. After an electoral beating, opinion makers and political elites—along with everyone with a social media account—offer their takes as to why Democrats blew it. For many, it is that the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden didn’t do more to help protect innocent lives in Gaza. For others, it is that Vice President Kamala Harris dared to campaign with Liz Cheney.

Nov 15, 2024 | yahoo.com | Eric Schmeltzer

It’s become something of a glum tradition in the Democratic Party. After an electoral beating, opinion makers and political elites—along with everyone with a social media account—offer their takes as to why Democrats blew it. For many, it is that the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden didn’t do more to help protect innocent lives in Gaza. For others, it is that Vice President Kamala Harris dared to campaign with Liz Cheney.

Oct 15, 2024 | newsweek.com | Eric Schmeltzer

For 38 minutes or so, former President Donald Trump was in a happy place. After some people collapsed at his town hall, Trump got frustrated, decided he'd had enough softball questions from Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) and asked to play music. For nearly 40 minutes, Trump kept asking for more music, swaying oddly in front of the crowd, occasionally closing his eyes, and retreating to a comforting place in his mind, like being wrapped in a warm blanket.

Sep 27, 2024 | newsweek.com | Eric Schmeltzer

In 2008, Barack Obama ran an incredibly exciting presidential campaign that galvanized young people and the Democratic base. Yet, in the spring of that year, leading into the Democratic convention and at times during the rest of the campaign, Obama and John McCain remained engaged in a relatively close race. When I approached my friends on the Obama communications team, I emphasized the importance of reassuring a specific cohort of voters about Obama's suitability for the job.