CHIENG: Democrats might know how to rally their base,
but when they reach out to Middle America,
-they say things like... -(majestic music playing)
For working families to get a share
of that prosperity that they're creating,
-we need some serious enforcement -(music fizzles)
of competition laws.
You're boring.
Single-payer, single-payer... (laughs): single-payer.
It's like you don't even care about what you're saying.
Can you hear me now?!
-It's not working. -It's not working?
No, it's not.
And it's no surprise, last election,
people in swing states went for a guy who said things like...
Who's gonna pay for the wall?!
ALL: Mexico!
I'd like to punch him in the face, I'll tell ya.
Trump honed his trademark oratorical style--
where else-- in professional wrestling.
And if Democrats were gonna fight back,
they needed someone who could go head-to-head
with a WWE Hall of Famer like Trump.
And in the heart of coal country, we found him.
Shut your ignorant mouths,
'cause the Progressive Liberal has something to say!
Finally, a Democrat who doesn't make me want
to change the channel.
Dan Richards has been making headlines wrestling
as the Progressive Liberal
and riling up small-town audiences
all over Trump country.
Hillary!
I should have done this a long time ago!
(shouting)
How hard is it to pretend to have these liberal values?
Oh, I'm not pretending.
But even if the crowd hates him,
the Progressive Liberal could teach swing state Democrats
some classic wrestling techniques
for getting voters' attention.
You want to stick to broad, brushstroke talking points.
Right. So, Middle America would rather learn about politics
through a mostly naked man
-than by reading a book? -Yeah.
But Dan assured me that, besides wearing shirts,
politicians and wrestlers had one key difference.
People in politics will say anything to get elected,
whereas a good wrestler--
they're only gonna say things that they truly believe in.
So what you're saying is that the level of political discourse
-in wrestling is actually higher than in politics? -Oh, yeah.
CHIENG: But with Congress immobilized
by partisan politics,
what advise did a progressive liberal have for Democrats?
Let's say you're Chuck Schumer,
and Mitch McConnell puts you in a headlock.
What do you do?
Um, I would reverse it into a top wrist lock,
and then I would stomp on his elbow, breaking his wrist.
-And then the issue would be resolved? -Without a doubt.
CHIENG: The progressive liberal had some great ideas
for updating Democrats' messaging,
but could he take on the heavyweight champion
of The White House?
Unfortunately, he was busy golfing,
so we cast someone else
to approximate Trump's rhetorical style.
(indistinct shouting)
Shut up! Yeah!
MAN (over P.A.): Introducing The Commander-in-Briefs!
Is it just me, or is it getting cold in here?
-(indistinct shouting) -'Cause there's...
Because there's a snowflake in the ring!
-I am not a snowflake! -Snowflake!
-(audience members chanting) -RICHARDS: Quit pandering!
I'm not pandering. I'm one of them.
My pandering was working!
Time to take this to the next level.
Do you know what this man wants? Let me guess what you want to do
with the guns in this country.
Just let me guess.
-You want to take them away! -(indistinct shouting)
I don't want to take away guns.
I'm just for really strict background checks.
CHIENG: Okay, that wasn't too hard to understand,
and the audience was into it.
Okay, fine. Whatever about guns. Let me guess
what you want to do about marijuana!
-(cheering) -RICHARDS: I think what
people want to do behind closed doors should be their business.
-MAN: Yeah. -Like hell you do.
That is my position as the progressive liberal!
-(cheers and applause) -CHIENG: Looks like
broad-brush talking points work,
especially that marijuana one, Democrats.
So maybe let wrestlers craft slogans for your next campaign,
like "Lock Guns Up,"
or "Make America Greatest,"
or just "420 4 2020."
But let's face it. What really turns on
swing-state crowds isn't words. It's action.
I don't care about your positions 'cause you suck!
Middle America wants a strong hero who won't back down
from a fight, so Democrats,
if you want to beat a wrestler president,
keep it simple and go on the offensive.
Fakes news! Ow!
Fake news! Ouch! Fake... (groaning)
Welcome to the future of American politics.