Love him or hate him, Donald Trump is good at politics. He gets what Democrats often overlook: the enduring value of fear.
Fear is a much more effective motivator than hope. And what about asking Black voters to cast ballots for you because you got them some policy wins? I was going to describe that strategy’s ineffectiveness…but I had to stifle a yawn.
Yes, President Joe Biden has followed through on his promise to provide student debt relief, but will voters who didn’t have college debt care that much?
Yes, Biden got a huge and hugely important infrastructure deal done. But if that deal didn’t give you a job, will you be thinking of that as you drive to your polling place?
And, sure, democracy might well be under threat from a Republican candidate who has talked about canceling the constitution and being a dictator on Day One of his presidency. But “I’m voting for Biden because Trump might end democracy” won’t exactly fit on a yard sign. Can’t imagine brothers talking about the threat to democracy at the barber shop, either.
So, if describing Trump’s threat to democracy or seeking credit for legislative or policy wins won’t work, how might Biden generate energy among the Democrats’ most loyal voters?
Go to the Trump playbook. Be the biggest fear-monger in the field.
Tell Black voters there’s a red-tie-wearing boogeyman under their beds, waiting to jump out.
Tell them Trump will put another Clarence Thomas on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Tell them Trump and his GOP pals are coming for women’s birth control, no matter what they’re saying today.
Tell them that Trump, despite palling around with never-have-been Black rappers, will make it even harder to vote.
Tell them Trump’s Justice Department will ignore rogue local policing and will give the green light for officers to brutalize Black people.
Remind Black voters about the “Goon Squad,” a marauding group of white police officers in Rankin, Miss. that beat and tortured a pair of Black men. Ask Black voters if a Trump Justice Department would ignore demands that those officers face federal prosecution. Ask them if Trump himself would laugh at the horror and praise the self-appointed goons?
Black voters know the answer to those questions, but Biden and his surrogates should ask them anyway.
The president’s message to Black voters should mimic Geena Davis in “The Fly” when her character, mindful of a terrifying danger, said: “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”