Yesterday I had the opportunity to accompany the Mrs to an anti-Trump rally in downtown Dallas. The first thing I noticed when we arrived was how flamboyant many of the protesters were. For example, there were a few holding signs that said "F___TRUMP!", and a contingent from the LGBT community wearing rainbow flags as capes and dressed in attire hoping to get themselves on the 6 PM news. It seemed to me they were appealing to those already on their side.
Several of the speakers, based on their manner of presentation (not necessarily their agenda) were obviously, to me at least, in need of medication. Their common stated goal was to see President Trump out of office and a Democratic majority in power. I don't see how they could think their behavior and inflamed, angry rhetoric would help their cause. (On the other side, literally and figuratively, and with police in between, were the white supremacists dressed in all black spewing their venom.)
Politically speaking, a poll taken late last year showed 24% of Americans identify themselves as Republicans, 31% identify themselves as Democrats, BUT 42% IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS INDEPENDENTS. It will always be these independent voters who will push one party or the other over the top into power.
I remember decades ago during the Vietnam war when Senator Eugene McCarthy was running for the Democratic presidential nomination. His campaign appealed to many youths (read: hippies) who were tired of the establishment. They were often a rather unwashed looking group, so McCarthy implored his kids to "Be Clean For Gene". He didn't ask them to give up their anti-war message, but to come across as thoughtful, respectful citizens not likely to repulse the independents whose votes they were courting. A shallow charade? Ummm, yes, but a smart charade if they expected to woo Main Street Americans. (I guess they weren't clean enough as McCarthy didn't get the nomination.)
I see the Democrats in a similar position today. By all means they should hold their rallies, carry their signs, make their speeches, and ask for volunteers and support. But it seems to me they would have better success getting their school teacher neighbor, their plumber, their HR director at work, etc, to vote for their cause if they came across as more disciplined and less flamboyant. Yes, shallow or not, image matters.
Just my opinion....
S
EDIT: My wife has taken exception to my phrase, "there was a 'contingent'...." There were not dozens, if that's your definition of "contingent", but there were three wearing flags as capes, one guy wearing a plaid skirt (I don't think it was a kilt), one guy wearing Ragged Ann-style makeup, and a dozen +/- signs saying "F___".
If there comes a time when an opposition party sends a cameraman there, rest assured those are the ones they will put front and center on their campaign literature to use as scare tactics. I say why give them any ammunition.
Again, just my opinion....
