OPINION: 2020 Election Observations
By Trevor K. McNeil
How Did This Happen?
It is a question that has been asked before. Though as we get closer to Election Day and things might still go either way, it is still a productive exercise to try and figure out how we got to where we are today. Particularly with so many Trump Voters, particularly in swing states, suffering industrial strength buyers guilt.
No Easy Answers
The answer seems obvious. All the Trump voters are backward, racist, sexist, idiots who don’t know what’s best for them. A ‘basket of deplorables’ as Madam Clinton once put it. This is a mistake. Not only is it reductionist and prejudiced, the very things most accuse Trump of being, it is also wrong. I don’t mean wrong in the modern sense of things that make people feel icky. I mean it in the far more basic, Aspie way of false as according to the evidence. There are simply too many people of various groups, including those whom Trump has attacked, supporting him for this to be the whole story.
Ears Plug, Eyes Closed
If anything, the less savory things Trump has said or done are incidental to his support. Not that what he did doesn’t matter. It does in terms of general morality but a lot of things are a matter of priorities and he has other aspects that outweighed his misconduct. At least in the minds of those who prioritize such things. One of the things a lot of critics overlook is his focus on jobs. Particularly in places like Michigan. A state in which things have been so bad for so long, the condition of cities like Flint have been referred to as ‘economic terrorism.’ A situation which makes it easier to understand Trump’s support despite his desire for a border wall or his opinions on where it is okay to touch female strangers. Even if they ‘let’ you.
Anti-Authoritarianism
The United States of America has a deep seated sense of anti-authoritarianism. The Puritans left Europe to escape the wrath of traditional religion which frowned on adult baptism. The founding fathers put their names to the Declaration of Independence. An act of secession as much as the Confederate Constitution was. Lack of trust in governmental power is written into America’s DNA. Literally in the sense of the founding documents.
Distrust Of European Influence
The separation of church and state was meant to separate the power of the church in Europe in the 18th century from the law of the land in the newly formed nation. Which is to say nothing of the structure of the three branches of government. Basically designed to road-block each other as much as possible. So, when things are working as they should, as little as possible gets done in terms of governance. Henry David Thoreau has as much of an influence on modern American politics as Thomas Paine.
National Attitude
If you want to understand a nation, look at it’s ethos. Canada, for example, has a motto of “Peace, Order and Good Government.” The U.S.A. basically tells you everything you need to know with “Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness.” Americans love outsiders and renegades. It’s part of the reason that outlaws from Jesse James to John Dillinger remain notable historical figures in U.S. lore. To make it clear what Americans love are winners. If you are a smart, outrageous criminal, you will have fans. If you are a rich guy who appears to have made it on his own will be heralded in the American perception.
Qualifications Matter
Trump is not a traditional politician. This fact would be a handicap in nearly any other nation on earth, who prefer their leaders to be qualified in some way. In the U.S. fame and notoriety top knowledge and competence every time,. In fact, I believe this was Trump’s greatest asset in 2016. Every attack he launched against his rivals, Republican or Democrat, were based on the idea of political corruption. Ironic considering Trump has proven to be everything he claimed his opponents to be.
A Regular Guy
This didn’t matter though. Trump spoke like a ‘regular guy.’ Not polished or presidential and that was a good thing. People could see themselves having a beer with Trump and joking around. Not something that many Clinton voters reported. Reminds me of George W. Bush. He was another rich trust fund baby. He was a ‘likeable guy’ who was enormously wealthy who was able to convince a large enough slice of American men that he was just like ‘them’.
It’s All About Image
Likability and familiarity counts for a lot more than is usually admitted. In Trump’s case he had an immeasurable advantage, one that is likely to remain an unknown quantity. Trump had been coming into the American living room for fourteen years on The Apprentice as a brilliant, no-nonsense, money maker, the great iconic American self made man. In the imaginary world of TV, Trump was transformed from a petty, publicity seeking narcissistic con man, into everything he never was or ever could be.
The Truth Is Out
But, after four years it has become clear that the victor in the 2016 election has not been up to the job. Trump has proven himself a totally inept and incompetent leader buried in corruption and criminal activities. The New York Times managed to do what half a dozen DA’s have failed to accomplish, they obtained 20 years of Donald Trump’s tax returns. The exposure of Trump’s tax returns may finally seal the tomb on the idea that Donald Trump was a self-made man. It looks like the New York Times is proving Trump is nothing more than a guy who inherited close to a billion dollars from his Dad and is nothing more than a tax cheat, grifter, and scammer of an unprecedented level.
Plan of Attack
The best hope for the Biden campaign is to continue to do what they are doing. Presenting joe Biden for what he is. A fairly regular guy who, rich now, grew up middle class and earned everything he has. A hard-working, loving American father struck by tragedy. He lost first wife and his young daughter in an auto accident in 1972 and in 2015 he lost his adult son Beau to cancer. Joe has experienced pain and loss. He understands, as well as anyone, why affordable healthcare is so important to the American public.
Common Man
Biden knows the price of a quart of milk. Despite his fame I would not be surprised to see Joe in the produce aisle of my local grocery store and if I do I’ll shake his hand. Joe Biden understands the average man. Trump hasn’t a clue; nor does he give a rip.
https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2019/02/27/mr-trump-racist-con-man-and-cheat/
