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I've been trying to put my finger on why Trump has maintained his support despite controversies around him.
I think it's odd we don't focus more on this.
I believe this partly applies to Boris Johnson too.
I think it's odd we don't focus more on this.
I believe this partly applies to Boris Johnson too.
The American media have continually pointed out the mistakes, lies and hypocrisy by Trump.
The left has constantly said, "see, this guy is a fraud!" - and it makes no difference.
Why? I think his base largely know he's not perfect. They don't care.
The left has constantly said, "see, this guy is a fraud!" - and it makes no difference.
Why? I think his base largely know he's not perfect. They don't care.
Why don't Trump's base care? Because they hate us even more.
And they love the fact he sticks it to people they hate.
This isn't unusual. A lot of people will overlook their leaders mistakes providing they're strong against the enemy.
And they love the fact he sticks it to people they hate.
This isn't unusual. A lot of people will overlook their leaders mistakes providing they're strong against the enemy.
Trump's genius is that he effectively directs our hate towards his supporters.
We dismiss them as stupid, ignorant, racists or just deluded. Trump loves that.
As long as the Left hate his base, they'll stick with him.
We dismiss them as stupid, ignorant, racists or just deluded. Trump loves that.
As long as the Left hate his base, they'll stick with him.
A similar scenario is playing out in Britain. Johnson consolidated the Leave vote because Remainers hated them.
They are started to believe Labour hated them.
For that reason, Starmer has correctly stayed away from the culture wars and Johnson keeps flogging that horse.
They are started to believe Labour hated them.
For that reason, Starmer has correctly stayed away from the culture wars and Johnson keeps flogging that horse.
There is a simple fact in politics: you cannot win over people you despise.
This is why Joe Biden has a stronger chance against Trump than Clinton, who was seen as part of those conservative-hating culture wars (and was a woman).
This is why Joe Biden has a stronger chance against Trump than Clinton, who was seen as part of those conservative-hating culture wars (and was a woman).
I think it's easy to blame Fox News and conservative talk radio but I think they exploited existing tensions than created them entirely from scratch.
In UK for example, even the BBC couldn't stop the extreme polarisation over Brexit.
In UK for example, even the BBC couldn't stop the extreme polarisation over Brexit.
They're not homogeneous. Diff Trump supporters hate us for different reasons. Could be:
- hate 'socialism'
- culturally conservative
- think we hate them too
- think we're too morally righteous https://twitter.com/edjmckeon/status/1305213960531124224?s=20
- hate 'socialism'
- culturally conservative
- think we hate them too
- think we're too morally righteous https://twitter.com/edjmckeon/status/1305213960531124224?s=20
By telling ourselves the opposition is full of extremists and crazies (some are, but not all), we can avoid the more difficult work of trying to woo some of them.
It's easier and more comforting to say there is a big majority out there who share our values, if we motivated them
It's easier and more comforting to say there is a big majority out there who share our values, if we motivated them
