Historically, we have seen many instances of individuals, focusing their campaigns, on stoking the fears, anxieties, prejudices, etc, of some part of society. This has, often, been, unfortunately, an effective campaign, often, however, bringing – about, undesirable results, and ramifications! However, in most cases, these candidates used blaming, and complaining, to state, the nation, would do far better, if they were elected! Since the election of Donald Trump, as President of the United States, in 2016, and during his campaign, leading – up, to his election, we have witnessed him, using the so – called, politics – of – fear, to rally his core supporters, to elect him, by effectively taking advantage of the Electoral College. Although, he lost the popular vote, by several million votes, his narrow victories, in swing – states, got him elected. However, while, in 2016, he ran, as an outsider, who he claimed, he would, Drain the Swamp, for the past 4 years, he has been the ultimate – insider. Will his supporters continue to believe him, when he claims his campaign opponent’s election, would make things, such as the violence, and crime (which is occurring, under – his – watch), remain? Many are concerned with the direction, this nation, has been going, and, whether, reelecting this President, will create a loss of the identity, and ideology, this nation has represented, for a couple of hundred years! With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, 6 examples of this approach, and whether, they will work, again.
1. Blame and complain: Trump’s blame – and – complain, approach, helps his articulate, a message, which seems to appeal, to those supporters, who feel, they have been unfairly treated, by the system, and unifies some, against those, who seek equal rights, justice, and freedoms. Will the recent disclosures, protests, police misbehavior, and uptick, in crime, in many places, help, or harm his campaign? Will he be able to continue, blaming, and complaining, others, even though, he’s held the highest office, in the land, since January, 2017? How will Biden’s campaign, strike the best balance, to positively, cast his candidacy, in a light, which resonates, with the voters?
2. Scapegoat: Trump has seemed, to always, scapegoat, others, and has never assumed any degree of personal responsibility! How can he do so, when he, was the man, who was supposed to oversee, everything, which occurred? Thus far, his core supporters, seem to, either, believe him, like his agenda, or not care, about, what seemed to be, irregularities!
3. Law and Order: It seems to be, standard – operating – procedure, for candidates, to wrap themselves, in a Law and Order, cape, if they believed it would help them, politically. Most of us remember, Nixon doing so, when he was initially elected, in 1968, and Reagan, also, did so, in 1980. When Bush, originally ran, he used the same approach. However, in the past, these efforts, were somewhat more subtle, than today’s appeals. Will appealing, with the slogan, Law and Order, be effective, in – light – of, the extreme publicity, about the horrific, apparent incidents of police brutality?
4. Invading your suburbs: When one appeals, to suburban Americans, especially, during this period of unrest, and anxiety, by declaring his political opponent will invade their suburbs, and they will lose control, isn’t that a despicable example, of the politics of fear, and racism?
5. Beware of the mobs: Although, the Right to Assemble/ protest, is a protected, Constitutional guarantee, instead of addressing the real issues, driving this unrest, President Trump, equated peaceful protests, with the vast minority, who seemed to take advantage, for some reason, and resorting to looting, arson, and other criminal activities! When the message is, Beware of the mobs, it polarizes, rather than bringing people together, for the greater good!
6. Democrats will destroy his wonderful economy: Making baseless accusations, declaring, Democrats will destroy his wonderful economy, is an attempt to create a political advantage, regardless of facts!
When, American voters, pay insufficient attention, and permit their public officials, to appeal to fears, and say anything, to get elected, this isn’t normal! Wake up, America, before it’s too late!
