. Fun fact— The Election Whisperer, Rachel Bitecofer (@ElectionWsphr) July 16, 2020
- the 1st week trivia Q that no one got asked about how the Bush Campaign closed this gap. It was called the Boston Harbor campaign ad & it switched the messaging from a compare/contrast of Bush & Dukasis, which was failing, to what became a staple GOP
3. on him. It was a newish technique that was just gaining traction within the GOP consulting world & hot damn, did it work! BC guess what, whether someone's record is good or bad, there's always, ALWAYS shit you can use against them. Perfection in public service doesn't happen.— The Election Whisperer, Rachel Bitecofer (@ElectionWsphr) July 16, 2020
Donald Trump has been trying to run that strategy since the Ukraine scandal, and it still isn't working.
Mostly because Trump can't get out of his own way. Well that and the "referendum strategy" only works if you aren't the incumbent. Just ask George H.W. how 1992 went for him.
(I also think Dukakis in the tank didn't help him a bit. Well, that and the "rape" question. Let's face it, he was hardly a powerhouse candidate. And Trump can't even play the Willie Horton ad.)
I didn't support Dukakis for the nomination because I knew he would run a bad campaign, he won in Massachusetts because he was boring but comment and because generally, a Democrat has to be a real idiot to lose in that state. Unfortunately, the Democratic machine is so powerful they run candidates on the basis of it being "their turn" to run for governor, not because they'll do a good job or even that they'll win. The same is true to a lesser extent in Maine. Dukakis is a wonk, that's good sometimes, it doesn't work nationally.
ReplyDeleteAs to whether or not it will work for Trump . . . no, I can't risk jinxing it.
Damned spell check, I meant to chose "competent" from the list in tiny little letters.
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