flows through the converse of this strategy

[GoodTaste]

Joe Biden promised normality, Americans got abnormality, and Democrats got punished at the polls for it. The path toward a more successful midterm election for Democrats in 2022 flows through the converse of this strategy. First, make things feel better. Then talk about it.

Source: The Atlantic

Does "converse" here mean "conversation"?

 

[teechar]

No. It means the opposite (of something).

 

[GoodTaste]

No. It means the opposite (of something).

What does "it" in "Democrats got punished at the polls for it" refer to? "It" seems to be "this strategy" (in "flows through the converse of this strategy"). Considering the starting sentence "Joe Biden promised normality", "It" appears to be "normality". I am not sure.

 

[Tarheel]

Americans got abnormality, and Democrats got punished at the polls for it.

The "it" is the abnormality.

 

[GoodTaste]

Americans got abnormality, and Democrats got punished at the polls for it.

The "it" is the abnormality.

Sorry it is still not clear to me. How can Democrats (be) at the polls for it (I understand "be at the polls for it" as "vote for it")? Of course Democrats supported Biden and believed what he promised (and so they voted for Biden) and no way they would vote for abnormality.
Probably I misunderstand "at the polls for it" - I am not sure.

 

[Tarheel]

punished at the polls - lost one or more elections

 

[jutfrank]

What does "it" in "Democrats got punished at the polls for it" refer to?

Their strategy (of promising normality).

 

[GoodTaste]

Their strategy (of promising normality).

I am struggling to understand the explanation. For the convenience to express the diremma I am in, let's quote the context here again:

Joe Biden promised normality, Americans got abnormality, and Democrats got punished at the polls for it. The path toward a more successful midterm election for Democrats in 2022 flows through the converse of this strategy. First, make things feel better. Then talk about it. Source: The Atlantic

The author points out that the road to success in 2022 lies in taking the lesson and flowing through the opposite of this strategy - What is "the opposite of this strategy"? The author explains it to be "First, make things feel better. Then talk about it".
Good Heavens! When Biden promised, he made things feel better because Democrates felt much better when they heard his promise. Thus, "the opposite/converse of this strategy" is exactly this strategy itself. So I am confused, not knowing how to find a way out.

 

[jutfrank]

No, Americans didn't feel better. That's the whole point of the article. The Democrats lost a 'vibes' war.

Failed strategy: focus first on improving the economy, which will in turn make people happy.
Proposed strategy: focus first on making people feel better instead.

 

[Tarheel]

The Democrats were punished at the polls because of the results of their policies. (Look at Biden's poll numbers.)