Let's try looking at this issue logically. The people we are talking about, who could possibly be influenced by the comments of the Progressives, are Swing Voters. Unlike most voters, who have developed a strong identity with one of the major parties, Swing Voters actually have the capacity to vote for either party on election day. They are the ones who get all of the attention of politicians.
Swing Voters have some interest in politics because they have friends and acquaintances who are interested in politics. When they hear their Republican friends explain the Republican side of an issue, they usually find themselves agreeing (it sounds good). Then when they hear their Democrat friends explain the Democratic side of the same issue, they find themselves agreeing with the Democrats. Then, when they hear the Republican retort, they change their minds again.
After a while, they start to realize that they are not sufficiently competent re: the issues to make an informed decision, so they fall back on their "impressions" of the candidates, on their assessments of the character of the two people running for office. The Republicans understand this clearly. It is the reason why they rely on one strategy above all others to win election campaigns: character assassination.
The Republicans also know a couple of other things about Swing Voters that Democrats don't seem to grasp. They understand that displays of strong emotion are usually very persuasive in moving the opinions of Swing Voters. In the final 1-3 weeks of any national campaign, it is an absolute certainty that the Republicans will be looking for some/any excuse to launch themselves into a display of phony outrage over some alleged transgression by the Democrat.
The Republicans have noticed that whenever politicians express strongly felt emotions, Swing Voters tend to grant them a greater measure of authenticity. After all, why else would these people be so upset? If the Democrat does not respond to the attacks with some emotion (ridicule) himself, the Swing Voter is left with the impression that maybe Democrats really aren't all that trustworthy.
Notice also the times when Republicans laugh at Democrats. They don’t just laugh in a way that shows they have a good sense of humor; they laugh in a way that communicates their contempt for Democrats. With displays of emotion, the Republicans model for the Swing Voters the kind of feelings/attitudes they want the voters to feel toward Democrats on voting day. You may not remember the details of the issues debates on voting day, but you will remember the feelings you saw on that guy's face.
If you are one of those who has been concerned that Progressive criticism of Barack Obama might encourage Swing Voters to vote Republican, fear not. Yes, it is true that Swing Voters are moved by emotionally expressed complaints, but how is it that they are ever going to hear the complaints of Progressives over the deafening roar of Republican criticism that fills the headlines every day?
And do you think the Republicans are going to want to crow about the criticism Progressives are expressing re: Obama to their Swing Voter acquaintances? Swing voters may have a limited interest in politics, but if they hear from Republicans that the Progressives are criticizing Obama, they are quite likely to respond: "Really? What are they criticizing him about?"
Of course, the very last thing any Republican is going to want to do is accurately recite the complaints of Progressives [which condemn the Republicans]; they would very much prefer that their Swing Voter acquaintances be exposed to their criticism of Obama rather than that of the Progressives.
Indeed, if the criticisms of Progressives [that depict the Republicans as evil], were ever heard by Swing Voters, they'd be much more likely to turn against the Republicans because Progressives are much more likely to use emotion to express their criticism of Republicans than 'centrists' are.
If you love Barack Obama, that's a good thing. I love him, too. But if you've convinced yourself that the Progressives are hurting either Barack Obama or the Democratic Party in the polls, then I would urge you to reconsider your position in light of the observable tendencies of Swing Voters.
The Republican Nemesis
Comments are closed on this story.