How to Fail in Politics Without Really Trying

Or, How to Make Undecided Voters See Red

In a presidential election year, the voters who matter are the independent or undecided voters in swing states. The political party that wins will convince these voters that their candidate and platform are the best for them. They make voters feel good about their candidate and feel hope. This strategy won in 2008 and again in 2016.

The winning strategy makes voters feel good about themselves. They are making a great choice and improving the country. Want to lose? Do the opposite.

The losing strategy of 2016 was to ignore the swing states while bullying and patronizing undecided voters. The losing party had nothing good to say about their candidate or platform. Instead of generating excitement and hope about their candidate, the party worked to instill fear into voters. Party members told undecided voters that it would be their fault if the other candidate won. Party members demanded that people vote for their candidate even if they didn’t like her or her platform. People don’t appreciate being blamed and bullied. It didn’t win votes but caused anger.

We see the same strategies playing out in 2020. Already, voters are being ordered not to criticize the Democratic nominees, because that would be supporting Trump. The Democrat platform is dismal. The party doesn’t have to do anything for the voters, because the alternative is Trump.

Democrats acknowledge that the platform doesn’t “give the people what they want.” It doesn’t have to, because of Trump. Again, the Democratic faithful are ordering people to “Vote Blue No Matter Who” or Trump’s victory will be their fault.

Trump voters continue to be enthusiastic about their candidate. They tell undecided voters that he will make America “even greater.” Trump supports don’t say, “vote for Trump or Biden will win, and it will be your fault.” They talk about Trump’s accomplishments. They feel good about their choice and invite you to feel the same way.

Politics isn’t about facts, but feelings. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s theme song was “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Reagan’s slogan was “It’s Morning in America Again.” Trump borrowed Reagan’s other motto, “Make America Great Again.” Obama’s slogan was “Hope and Change.” None of these winning slogans mean anything, but they make people feel good.

How does “No More Malarkey” make you feel? If you are a fan of the Irish jig band “Malarkey,” or the Celtic Rock band “the Malarkey Brothers,” not too good. If you are under age 60 and not of Irish descent, you might not know what malarkey means. At best, this slogan is neutral. It doesn’t excite voters. At least it isn’t an “I’m with Her” tee-shirt.

Many independent or undecided voters will angrily, resentfully, vote for the candidate who didn’t play golf and push quackery as over a hundred thousand Americans died. Other voters will again reject the bullying and guilt from Democrats and choose someone else. No matter who wins, America loses this election.