" No one is confused about what a Democrat is in a presidential election. In every election other than a presidential election, our voters are confused. We’ve given out too many different messages. "
- Dannel Malloy

In the statement under discussion, Dannel Malloy highlights a significant issue within American politics regarding voter confusion during non-presidential elections. He points out that when it comes to presidential races, voters generally have a clear understanding of what Democrats stand for and their political platform. However, outside of these high-stakes contests, such as in congressional or gubernatorial elections, there seems to be considerable ambiguity among voters about the Democratic Party's positions.

Malloy’s comment delves deeper into the core challenges faced by political parties in maintaining consistent messaging across different election cycles. The inconsistency mentioned suggests that during presidential years, Democrats tend to present a cohesive and clear message that resonates with voters, yet this clarity dissipates in other elections where there is often a plethora of messages from various Democratic candidates or party officials. This inconsistent communication can dilute the party's overall effectiveness and voter recognition, potentially leading to decreased support for Democrats who aren't running for president but are still important in shaping policy at local levels.

Dannel Malloy served as the 89th Governor of Connecticut from January 2011 until December 2018. Prior to his gubernatorial role, he was a state legislator and attorney general. Known for advocating progressive policies such as expanding healthcare access and addressing education inequality, Malloy often speaks about the challenges facing Democrats in political campaigns, particularly concerning voter engagement and messaging consistency across different levels of government elections.