NYT columnist Michelle Cottle criticized the Democratic Party’s fundraising tone as insecure and off-putting, saying many solicitation emails read like contrite pleas rather than confident appeals. She contrasted that with Republican messaging, which—despite fearmongering—often sells pride and belonging. Cottle urged Democrats to abandon public hand‑wringing and instead craft a confident, hopeful, and unifying pitch that makes supporters proud to donate.
NYT Columnist Blasts Democratic Fundraising as “Pathetic Groveling,” Urges Confident, Hopeful Pitch
Democrats' 'pathetic groveling' for fundraising bashed in New York Times column
New York Times opinion writer Michelle Cottle delivered a blunt critique of the Democratic Party’s fundraising tone, arguing in a Friday column that its solicitations read as insecure and off-putting. In a piece headlined "This Pathetic Groveling Is No Way to Rebuild a Party," Cottle said few people want to back what sounds like "an insecure loser."
What Cottle Criticized
Cottle singled out typical subject lines and language used in Democratic fundraising emails, saying they often resemble messages from a contrite partner rather than a confident political organization. She quoted examples she has seen: "Can I explain?" "You deserve an explanation," "Sorry to reach out on a Sunday," "Let me try to convince you," and simply, "Please."
New York Times opinion writer Michelle Cottle blasted the Democratic Party's fundraising messaging in a scathing piece.(Getty Images)
"Right up front, these messages telegraph insecurity, pleading, chagrin. Hardly the vibe of a confident political team fighting the good fight," Cottle wrote. She added that her instinct is not to donate but to offer to pay for group therapy.
Contrast With Republican Messaging
While mocking the most extreme GOP appeals — which she paraphrased as apocalyptic or conspiratorial warnings intended to spur panic donations — Cottle acknowledged that Republican fundraising has a political advantage: it often sells a sense of pride and belonging. She argued that even when Republican solicitations are fear-based, they frequently tap into primal emotions that create a communal identity.
"Scratch away the toxic layers of fear and hysteria in their solicitations and, if you squint hard enough, you can sometimes catch a glimmer of something constructive," she wrote, noting that many conservative messages peddle pride and community — core impulses of the MAGA movement.
New York Times opinion writer Michelle Cottle said while some of the Obama-era messaging looks corny in retrospect, it at least offered a sense of hope.
Her Prescription for Democrats
Cottle urged Democrats to stop public hand-wringing and self-flagellation in their appeals for money. She argued the party should reclaim dignity and present itself as worthy of support rather than as a team of losers. Rather than mimicking a "patriot" posture or issuing bullying commands that fit a strongman-style movement, Democrats should sell a confident, hopeful, and unifying vision that makes supporters proud to give.
She suggested that even if some Obama-era optimism now feels dated, its underlying promise — offering voters tangible hope — is what Democrats should revive and adapt for today’s politics.
Bottom line: Cottle calls for a strategic tonal shift: from contrition and pleading to confidence and hopeful appeals that emphasize belonging without resorting to divisiveness.
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