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How to Win an Election (NYT Op-Doc)

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entremet

Member
Video here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/18/opinion/how-to-win-an-election.html?_r=0

Vimeo link

https://vimeo.com/155823636

Mr. McKinnon has had a long career working for politicians from both parties. As the lead media strategist for George W. Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns as well as John McCain’s winning 2008 primary campaign, he was instrumental in shaping the way we perceived his candidates and their opponents. Remember the 2004 windsurfing ad that branded John Kerry a flip-flopper? That’s his work.

But Mr. McKinnon burned out on presidential campaigns, and increasingly came to view the oversimplification and negativity at the heart of modern campaigning as a leading contributor to the toxic political climate in which we now live. So when we sat down with him, we asked him to turn over his secret playbook.

Really great analysis here from an insider.

Yes, this guy brought us Bush II and he regrets how toxic everything became, but seeing it from his POV is interesting.
 

Maxim726X

Member
Really interesting, and absolutely true.

We are absolutely susceptible to narratives that prey on our emotions, and politics is absolutely no different. It's also true, and we're seeing it now more than ever, it's presence and not substance that sway voters... And people. 'It's not what you say, it's how you say it'.

Ask Jeb Bush how his skiddish, uneasy public persona destroyed his campaign, even though he had the most money to spend on his campaign. Meanwhile, look at Donald Trump- Who wrote about how to manipulate the media and the people in his book, and he's showing us all just how easy it is.
 

entremet

Member
Really interesting, and absolutely true.

We are absolutely susceptible to narratives that prey on our emotions, and politics is absolutely no different. It's also true, and we're seeing it now more than ever, it's presence and not substance that sway voters... And people. 'It's not what you say, it's how you say it'.

Ask Jeb Bush how his skiddish, uneasy public persona destroyed his campaign, even though he had the most money to spend on his campaign. Meanwhile, look at Donald Trump- Who wrote about how to manipulate the media and the people in his book, and he's showing us all just how easy it is.

I'm a Hilary supporter, but I would agree that Sanders presents a better narrative than her. I think that's why she's barely distancing herself from him.

His message of socialism does resonate with people who did everything right, but still find themselves at the opposite end of the American Dream. Especially younger folks, up to their eyeballs in loans and poor job prospects.

It also explain's Trump's rise. His message is simple.
 

Maxim726X

Member
I'm a Hilary supporter, but I would agree that Sanders presents a better narrative than her. I think that's why she's barely distancing herself from him.

To a certain degree, he does. Just look at how his message has captured the youth (mostly white) vote. Despite the fact that he really has no path to instituting the things he promises, it doesn't stop people from strongly supporting him.

But she also has a great presence herself. Imagine for a second that she looked like Jeb did in the spotlight- She would have likely suffered the same fate.
 
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