Republicans Are Growing Increasing Desperate To Create An Illusion Of Winning
As the moments tick by and Donald Trump drives his campaign in circles, Republicans are trying to create the illusion of winning.
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Elections And The Illusion Of Winning
One of the trademarks of campaigns belonging to candidates of either party is that when they lack elements like momentum, press coverage, and energy, they try to create the perception of those dynamics to make their candidate and their campaign appear to be vibrant and successful.
For example, Barack Obama’s events had an organic energy. Hillary Clinton’s campaign always felt a little bit off in person. It wasn’t something that one could easily put their finger on, but over time I have come to believe that at least part of it was that Democrats after eight years of Obama success didn’t have the same since of urgency that they felt in 2008, which is normal when one party has had the White House for eight years.
Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign had an energy that his 2020 campaign lacked. Trump has always had an element of one hit wonder to him. The Trump campaign felt like a retread in 2020, and by 2024, it is definitely creaking with age and lacking enthusiasm.
If you watch a campaign event for a candidate, pay attention to how the crowd reacts when the candidate is introduced. With Kamala Harris, there is a building pent up energy that explodes when she takes the stage.
Donald Trump’s crowds aren’t loud and energized. There is a ritualistic darkness to his introductions. Lee Greenwood’s Proud To Be An American plays. Trump appears and stands off to the corner of the stage and absorbs the applause of his fans. Once the song ends Trump steps up to the mic and starts talking. There is no spontaneous outpouring. The crowd claps. Trump basks, and then the speech starts.
As B.B. King sang, “The thrill is gone,” which is why Republicans are trying to manufacture signs of victory.
What can a party do when they don’t have the organic signs of success?
They try to create the illusion of success and hope that the voters follow.
How Republicans Are Trying To Creating The Illusion Of Success
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