General Discussion

MineralMan

(150,484 posts)

58. Because they're either stupid or deliberately uninformed.

Wed Dec 16, 2015, 02:40 PM

Dec 2015

Trump is playing on common fears and prejudices in his campaign. His simplistic positions appeal to people who do not care to or cannot understand any sort of nuance.

For example, he wants to discriminate against Muslims, because people fear Islam. He uses that fear to make a populist argument that appeals to people who equate Islam with recent and past terrorism incidents. His audience knows no better or doesn't care to bother learning any better.

His campaign is populism targeting the basest and least informed people. He doesn't care. It works for him, so he uses it.

There will always be a certain percentage of the population that will buy any sort of argument that reinforces their ignorance or ingrained prejudices. Those people are supporting Trump.

It is that freaking simple.

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Why do you think so many people back Trump? [View all] MannyGoldstein Dec 2015 OP

my simple answer - they've broken with reality - they think reality TV IS reality. NRaleighLiberal Dec 2015 #1

Because he made it okay to be openly racist again. eom MohRokTah Dec 2015 #2

+1 doc03 Dec 2015 #3

i agree. nt DesertFlower Dec 2015 #9

Sadly, I do think that's a lot of it. Enabling racism and hatred as OK. n/t RKP5637 Dec 2015 #11

Yeps, it is his open racism hibbing Dec 2015 #17

Yes-that,and some people like openly obnoxious assholes. They're drawn to them and cheer them on. MADem Dec 2015 #27

It's like siding with the bully because you think it will protect smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #62

That is a very astute observation--and it does sum up the way a lot of these supporters think. MADem Dec 2015 #75

What, you think that's Trump's doing? Scootaloo Dec 2015 #36

THIS Maru Kitteh Dec 2015 #42

Yep, simple as that. Kermitt Gribble Dec 2015 #49

+1 uponit7771 Dec 2015 #76

TV has become reality for them, and he speaks its language and frames things in its context n/t arcane1 Dec 2015 #4

I don't think people will back him at the polls. elias49 Dec 2015 #5

I fear the opposite EL34x4 Dec 2015 #65

I agree.. Doctor Who Dec 2015 #66

I think you are right. I think a lot of his supporters are day trippers, curious, appalled even, MADem Dec 2015 #79

I think a lot of it's his showmanship. It's like reality TV to some and he's a branded TV image. n/t RKP5637 Dec 2015 #6

I agree, but not as to reality shows. Think Han Solo in Star Wars or John Wayne in a Western. merrily Dec 2015 #14

It is far easier to listen to a loudmouth and accept what he says than engage in . . . . Stinky The Clown Dec 2015 #7

Same reason that they like hate radio question everything Dec 2015 #8

They're stupid and he talks stupid. nt valerief Dec 2015 #10

He's popular because he 840high Dec 2015 #12

I've seen this same phrase repeatedly: "he always says what everybody is really thinking" Turn CO Blue Dec 2015 #13

+1 merrily Dec 2015 #16

"He is always saying what everybody is thinking". Ask them, "Who is 'everybody?" pampango Dec 2015 #43

Yup, I mean it's rather like unplugging from the Matrix, isn't it? Turn CO Blue Dec 2015 #50

People are completely ignorant of politics. Glamrock Dec 2015 #15

Part of it had to do with DWS's delaying the start of the Democratic debates. merrily Dec 2015 #18

Because tRump is the poster boy for the "Southern Strategy". Earth Bound Misfit Dec 2015 #19

Bigots for Bigshotism. moondust Dec 2015 #20

A likely reason so many support Trump.... seafan Dec 2015 #21

AMEN Seafan!!!! onecent Dec 2015 #59

Loudmouth rich white guy hating on people different than him. neverforget Dec 2015 #22

They're angry and ignorant. He says what they think. Martin Eden Dec 2015 #23

Trump appeals to a vanishing version of white male America kwassa Dec 2015 #24

"I call him a billionaire Archie Bunker". That is a perfect description. Thanks. n/t pampango Dec 2015 #44

Easy. They expect President Trumplestiltskin to tell the whole government "YOU'RE FIRED"! hedda_foil Dec 2015 #25

I'm not taking the hide libodem Dec 2015 #26

They are attracted to his reactionary brand of populism. Ed Suspicious Dec 2015 #28

So many? IsItJustMe Dec 2015 #29

It's the plainspoken populism mixed with outright racism and bigotry... Docreed2003 Dec 2015 #30

Because they are mindless effing morons. These are the same type of people that fall for cults and underahedgerow Dec 2015 #31

You read my thoughts... 3catwoman3 Dec 2015 #33

I'm not sure but it's scary as hell newfie11 Dec 2015 #32

Some people like bluster and tend to buy whatever crap is peddled with obnoxious certainty. bettyellen Dec 2015 #34

in addition to what others have said, about 20% (if not more) of our voters tend to be fascists steve2470 Dec 2015 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author Corruption Inc Dec 2015 #37

They are binary thinkers with no time for critical thought. Ford F-150 Dec 2015 #38

I wonder myself about that as well davidpdx Dec 2015 #39

the teevee gnewz keep showing he matters. NEVER questioning the shit he says. pansypoo53219 Dec 2015 #40

He 'answers' economic and cultural insecurities with simple (racist, xenophobic) solutions. There pampango Dec 2015 #41

True, simple people like simple answers. smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #63

I've been told (by people who I think less of now)... Mopar151 Dec 2015 #45

Hate. He affirms hatred of those who aren't white cali Dec 2015 #46

Trump is the political personification of World Wide Wrestling and it's entertainment, no_hypocrisy Dec 2015 #47

Only about 15% of voters n2doc Dec 2015 #48

The same reason anyone backs anyone Renew Deal Dec 2015 #51

Scapegoating jeepers Dec 2015 #52

Pants crapping FEAR. link to ABC News article. underpants Dec 2015 #53

You're not gonna like this, but the Left has gone way overboard with PC. Trump is a reaction. frizzled Dec 2015 #54

I'll add - outright contempt for all government. Trump's the "Screw you all" candidate frizzled Dec 2015 #55

Because he gives simple solutions to complex issues. nruthie Dec 2015 #56

Judging only by interviews with his supporters, Vinca Dec 2015 #57

Because they're either stupid or deliberately uninformed. MineralMan Dec 2015 #58

I don't always agree with you, MM, but when I do... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #69

Hatred + fear. H2O Man Dec 2015 #60

Entertainment Factor, plus I *DO* agree w. his policy on Trade.... dirtydickcheney Dec 2015 #61

I think he says what his supporters think and feel bigwillq Dec 2015 #64

We delude ourselves into thinking that we have a clue about what's going on Fumesucker Dec 2015 #67

They are as frustrated with the economy and scared about terrorism as the left is Yavin4 Dec 2015 #68

Because racism, bigotry, and xenophobia are real things ... 11 Bravo Dec 2015 #70

I believe they're frustrated with the stand still in congress just like karadax Dec 2015 #71

He's made Racism Mainstream again. Katashi_itto Dec 2015 #72

Why did Germany go with Adolf ? olddots Dec 2015 #73

There are a fair number of people in this country like you. MeNMyVolt Dec 2015 #74

Because contrary to popular opinion Kelvin Mace Dec 2015 #77

Lots of people are racist assholes. RedCappedBandit Dec 2015 #78

Assholes finally have a champion! n/t Still Sensible Dec 2015 #80

they're cowards who won't say what they think Skittles Dec 2015 #81

Combination of things JesterCS Dec 2015 #82

He makes the other dudes in suits squirm, which is something they can't do, as individuals. n/t winter is coming Dec 2015 #83

Fear is the mindkiller and they are fearful of just about everything. hobbit709 Dec 2015 #84

A serious question, here is a serious answer Angel Martin Dec 2015 #85

Because we still have plenty of racist and misogynist assholes around? n/t eridani Dec 2015 #86

A lot of people have a hard time understanding Rex Dec 2015 #87