General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Does anyone here really think people bashing the president will vote for the GOP in 2014, 2016? [View all]JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)A person who just leans left, or leans right might vote, or they might just stay home.
They need a reason to vote.
The person leaning right is told that Democrats suck, and they hate the country, hate God, want to tax them to death. This is intended to anger them, which creates energy to get them to vote.
The person leaning left is also told that Democrats suck. They're corporatists, their the same as the Republicans, hate the middle class. This is intended to discourage them. That emotion does not create energy, it removes it. The goal, discourage those who lean left so they give up and stay home.
Manipulating turnout is the only chance the GOP has. So they pass laws to block Dem voters. Then work to sell one "Dems suck" message that angers people who lean right, and (with media help) another "Dems suck" message intended to discourage those who lean left.
Get 1% by blocking ... another 1% uptick in Republicans, and 1% drop for the Dems ... net 3% swing, enough to win close elections.