Political Rhetoric & Attack Dogs - From Spiro T. Agnew to JD Vance

 Unique insulation for a politico comes from establishing a rhetorical presence in someone else. Richard Nixon, who although heavily flawed as a human being was known for his political brilliance, created that in his vice president Spiro T. Agnew. And that's what Donald Trump seems to have put together in the number-two on the ticket JD Vance.

Part of Nixon's communications strategy was to continually reinforce the support from mainstream Americana. He pitted them against the perceived "elites.'  Recall how the aristocratic John F. Kennedy, a graduate of Harvard, made him come across so badly in the televised debate - and later defeated him in the presidential election. 

Agnew tossed around rhetorical grenades about the educated's criticism of Nixon's policies. Classic was "the nattering nabobs of negativity."

There is plenty of precedent for Vance's radical statements. But there is a major difference. Sure, the liberal press made fun of Agnew. However, he was popular on the grassroots level. Vance is getting hammered both by the media and in mainstream America. 

Meanwhile, Tim Walz, with the Average Guy's Guy persona, is capturing the soul of working class America. Walz could make Vance, a graduate of Law Law School, look very bad in any debate. In a sense, Walz is Kamala Harris' kind of attack dog. That is very different from the Nixon/Trump version.

Meanwhile, Trump has agreed to a September 10th debate with Harris on ABC. Law partner from Paul, Weiss Karen Dunn is coaching Harris. The betting crowd could put their money on this not being a repeat of how Trump destroyed Joe Biden in that earlier debate. Any of Trump's once-endearing lack of impulse control will not play well against what is anticipated to be Harris' statesmanlike persona, with heaping side dishes of passion for the right thing to do and old-fashioned warmth.

In business and life you usually have only one shot at whatever. Up the odds of success with Jane Genova. I am an intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)

 


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