Republicans will attack the press as a campaign strategy for the 2018 mid-term elections

[knapplc]

This is what you do when you can't govern. Distract, dissemble and deflect.

GOP strategists plot anti-media strategy for 2018 elections

Conservative radio hosts mock a physical assault on a reporter. A GOP governor blasts a reporter on Twitter as "a sick man." The president accuses the media of being an “enemy of the people.”

This is not run-of-the-mill Republican criticism of the press anymore. It is now a deliberate strategy to help GOP candidates win elections fueled by public hatred of reporters.

“Does anyone want to see a reporter badly injured? No,” said Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University advertising expert who advises congressional and gubernatorial election campaigns. "But there are some people who think this is their comeuppance: ‘You’ve been strutting around with no accountability and maybe you should be held accountable.’”

A party that traditionally has had a fraught relationship with the media has become outright hostile, led by a president who picks more fights with journalists than any GOP leader since Richard Nixon.

But interviews with Republican strategists and party leaders across the country reveal that what started as genuine anger at allegedly unfair coverage — or an effort to deflect criticism — is now an integral part of next year’s congressional campaigns.

The hope, say these officials, is to convince Trump die-hards that these mid-term races are as much a referendum on the media as they are on President Trump. That means embracing conflict with local and national journalists, taking them on to show Republicans voters that they, just like the president, are battling a biased press corps out to destroy them.

 

At some point you'd have to hope that Republican voters would actually expect their party to govern, but until then, it appears they're willing to be entertained - and vote party line - based solely on all the anger these politicians can generate.

 

 

[zoogs]

When your political fortunes hinge entirely on the ignorance of the electorate, then of course propaganda is the cornerstone of campaign strategy.

 

Whatever happened to encouraging people to go out there, get informed, and make their own decisions?

[TGHusker]

The top of the ticket sets the tone. Trump has set a new low mark in politics.

[Fru]

When your political fortunes hinge entirely on the ignorance of the electorate, then of course propaganda is the cornerstone of campaign strategy.

 

Whatever happened to encouraging people to go out there, get informed, and make their own decisions?

 

People don't want confirmation of facts, thoughts and ideas. They want affirmation. They want to feel that their thoughts, feelings, ideas and beliefs are validated, regardless if they're accurate or not.

[Danny Bateman]

On a semi-related note...

 

Bear in mind that this guy represents the United States government and the Trump administration.

 

[NM11046]

 

When your political fortunes hinge entirely on the ignorance of the electorate, then of course propaganda is the cornerstone of campaign strategy.Whatever happened to encouraging people to go out there, get informed, and make their own decisions?

 

People don't want confirmation of facts, thoughts and ideas. They want affirmation. They want to feel that their thoughts, feelings, ideas and beliefs are validated, regardless if they're accurate or not.

Especially those beliefa that they feel down real deep but have been hesitant to say out loud ...

[Fru]

This is what you do when you can't govern. Distract, dissemble and deflect.

 

 

GOP strategists plot anti-media strategy for 2018 elections

 

Conservative radio hosts mock a physical assault on a reporter. A GOP governor blasts a reporter on Twitter as "a sick man." The president accuses the media of being an “enemy of the people.”

 

This is not run-of-the-mill Republican criticism of the press anymore. It is now a deliberate strategy to help GOP candidates win elections fueled by public hatred of reporters.

 

“Does anyone want to see a reporter badly injured? No,” said Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University advertising expert who advises congressional and gubernatorial election campaigns. "But there are some people who think this is their comeuppance: ‘You’ve been strutting around with no accountability and maybe you should be held accountable.’”

 

A party that traditionally has had a fraught relationship with the media has become outright hostile, led by a president who picks more fights with journalists than any GOP leader since Richard Nixon.

 

But interviews with Republican strategists and party leaders across the country reveal that what started as genuine anger at allegedly unfair coverage — or an effort to deflect criticism — is now an integral part of next year’s congressional campaigns.

 

The hope, say these officials, is to convince Trump die-hards that these mid-term races are as much a referendum on the media as they are on President Trump. That means embracing conflict with local and national journalists, taking them on to show Republicans voters that they, just like the president, are battling a biased press corps out to destroy them.

 

At some point you'd have to hope that Republican voters would actually expect their party to govern, but until then, it appears they're willing to be entertained - and vote party line - based solely on all the anger these politicians can generate.

 

 

 

Honestly, how can anyone associate with this party any longer?

[StPaulHusker]

Well if we are being honest with ourselves, this tactic helped our current president get elected.

[Fru]

Well if we are being honest with ourselves, this tactic helped our current president get elected.

 

Touche

[Landlord]

 

This is what you do when you can't govern. Distract, dissemble and deflect.

 

 

GOP strategists plot anti-media strategy for 2018 elections

 

Conservative radio hosts mock a physical assault on a reporter. A GOP governor blasts a reporter on Twitter as "a sick man." The president accuses the media of being an “enemy of the people.”

 

This is not run-of-the-mill Republican criticism of the press anymore. It is now a deliberate strategy to help GOP candidates win elections fueled by public hatred of reporters.

 

“Does anyone want to see a reporter badly injured? No,” said Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University advertising expert who advises congressional and gubernatorial election campaigns. "But there are some people who think this is their comeuppance: ‘You’ve been strutting around with no accountability and maybe you should be held accountable.’”

 

A party that traditionally has had a fraught relationship with the media has become outright hostile, led by a president who picks more fights with journalists than any GOP leader since Richard Nixon.

 

But interviews with Republican strategists and party leaders across the country reveal that what started as genuine anger at allegedly unfair coverage — or an effort to deflect criticism — is now an integral part of next year’s congressional campaigns.

 

The hope, say these officials, is to convince Trump die-hards that these mid-term races are as much a referendum on the media as they are on President Trump. That means embracing conflict with local and national journalists, taking them on to show Republicans voters that they, just like the president, are battling a biased press corps out to destroy them.

 

At some point you'd have to hope that Republican voters would actually expect their party to govern, but until then, it appears they're willing to be entertained - and vote party line - based solely on all the anger these politicians can generate.

 

 

 

Honestly, how can anyone associate with this party any longer?

 

 

 

I asked tghusker this in a different thread and he never got back to me. When is enough enough if you still call yourself a Republican?

[Danny Bateman]

I was going to ask TGH earlier as well...

 

What would it take for you to formally turn in your Republican card? Or what would it take to have you vote for Democrats down-ballot?

 

How long is your leash with this iteration of the GOP?