Politics & Power Quote by John Podesta

Podesta’s sentence is a masterclass in inside-baseball persuasion: it sounds like a neutral reading of data while quietly trying to launder partisan confidence through the authority of the New York Times. The move is familiar to anyone who’s watched Washington operatives work a room. He’s not arguing “Democrats are better”; he’s saying “the public already thinks Democrats are better,” which is a softer claim and, strategically, a more contagious one.

The phrasing does a lot of political work. “I think if you look” is a pre-emptive shrug, a way to float a conclusion as common sense rather than a talking point. “Yesterday’s” adds urgency and freshness, implying momentum. “People put a little more faith” is the key emotional appeal: “faith” isn’t policy preference, it’s trust. That matters because congressional approval is often abysmal across the board; if you can shift the conversation from results to credibility, you can win even in a sour climate.

Then there’s the hedging-and-boosting combo: “a little more, or even a little more than a little more.” It’s almost comically clunky, but that clunkiness helps. It reads like someone thinking aloud, which can feel more honest than a crisp number. Subtext: we’re ahead, the center is leaning our way, and if you’re a Democrat wavering about messaging or turnout, the smart bet is to align with the side the public “trusts.” It’s poll-driven morale-building dressed up as analysis.