With the primary season having already concluded in many locales, the frenzy of an all-important midterm election is largely upon us. Although in our seemingly unique and unorthodox political world, one could argue that the race to the midterms has been underway since November 9th, 2016.

Nevertheless, one only needs to fixate their eyes and ears upon the interviews, both national and local, of virtually every Democratic hopeful in the nation to see that they might be on the precipice of repeating a costly mistake. And the mistake being repeated is the lack of an easily-digestible and universally-appealing campaign message.

As was the case in 2016, promoting a one-dimensional anti-Trump referendum likely isn’t going to pay the landslide dividends Democrats are hoping for. Sure, the president’s record-setting unpopularity will aid in flipping House seats, but the arduous task of capturing the Senate, or even holding existing seats, undoubtedly requires a message that is simple, concise, and viral.

With economic gains at the backs of Congressional Republicans, and seemingly impervious to shaming, Democrats need to make the case that if the GOP retains control of both chambers, that they’re going to pulverize the average American. So how does one sell the idea that Democrats are the last vanguard of a vulnerable populace?

You simply broadcast the telegraphed intentions of the GOP, and anchor it to an 80-20 issue. An issue that vividly-resonates with Americans across all demographics and applies to the residents of every congressional district (particularly those most likely to turnout in November).

Over-and-over, you tell voters that in order to pay-off the $1 trillion budget deficit caused by Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy, the Republicans intend to gut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Then you tell them that only Democratic control of Congress can stop it.