2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Democrats Stifle Their Message - The Editorial Board/USAToday [View all]Akamai
(1,779 posts)I turn your attention to Sen. Kerry's refusal to combat the "Swift Boats for Truth" abominable attacks on him. He believed that no one would believe what these the testable people were saying, and that he did not have to object strongly. But indeed, the lies did shift some of the support away from him.
If the only voice one hears repeats a certain story--that Obama and Hilary are both terribly ineffective and very harmful for the country -- that a lot of people will believe that voice. For example, take a look at the focus groups of Republicans and what they think about President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton.
In terms of decision-making in groups, it helps to have at least one voice disagreeing with the general theme to make group members think more carefully. Otherwise, group decisions oftentimes tend to be "long, strong, and wrong." Consensual drift is all too common, especially in politics.
I want someone, pretty much anyone, saying that those Republican views are absolutely and totally wrong.