Hats Off Thumbs Down

When the state focuses its immense power on an individual, a lawyer must step in to ensure the government does not overstep.  For that reason I never question a lawyer defending even the most heinous criminal.  Everyone is entitled to a defense.

But not everyone is entitled to a campaign manager.  Therefore I give thumbs down to the immensely talented Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles for heading Trump's campaign.  They know he is at best incompetent, and at worst, dangerous.

But I tip my hat to the brilliance of their strategy.   The Harris team ran a well executed traditional campaign.   LaCivita and Wiles did not have a traditional candidate.  So like a successful football coach, they altered the system to fit the talent.  The hyper masculine campaign suited their boisterous candidate.  

It worked.  Trump got a hefty majority of new voters.  Young men ascended from basements, got off the couch, and voted.  The educational and economic advancement of women has tilted the playing field.  Young men are confused by the delta between the fantasy of ubiquitous porn and the reality of "Me Too."  Too toxic to get laid, and too proud, or confused, to change, their frustration made them a perfect target.

Also, Trump's conflicting positions on abortion, was more art than ineptitude.  His campaign muddied the waters enough to dull the Democrat's most potent weapon.

The ad campaign was brilliant.  A moral thumbs down on the anti-trans ads that heightened the risk to a vulnerable community, but kudos for the political brilliance.  Virtually all Americans oppose violence against the trans community, and most Americans support equality.  But the dividing line is pronouns.  So that the 1% can feel seen, the 99% must announce their pronouns.  For middle America this makes Democrats seem out of touch, and more concerned about a tiny minority than with the working class. 

Campaigning and governing are wildly different.  Republican over reach and miscues may allow a dramatic come back in the Midterms.