Recent polling shows that Donald Trump is significantly increasing his lead for the Republican nomination and is even tied with President Biden in a hypothetical general election face-off.
This is an astonishing development considering Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, but it is the inevitable outcome of a candidate who is not being forcefully opposed and condemned. His opponents, for various reasons, have taken the strategic position of ignoring his predicament, hoping that he will self-destruct.
However, there is no room for wishful thinking in this battle. Victory cannot be achieved without direct confrontation.
This unwillingness to challenge Trump has allowed him and his allies to portray themselves as victims and righteous avengers, while his opponents are seen as timid and weak.
This lack of engagement and the campaign of cowardice have deprived Republican voters, who have already been conditioned by Trump to distrust facts and embrace conspiracy theories, of any meaningful debate that could potentially shape their views.
These voters exist in a void of truth, and Trump fills that void with his own version of reality, which is essentially anti-truth.
Not only are most of Trump’s Republican rivals avoiding criticizing him for his legal issues, but so is his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. Biden has chosen to remain silent on the matter and distance himself from the chaos, refusing to give credence to Trump’s false claim that his legal troubles are politically motivated.
The strategy of dignified silence has been employed in the past, but its effectiveness in the current political climate is uncertain. It seems out of touch with the harsh reality of the current situation.
Despite criticisms, the Biden campaign continues to adhere to this approach. Just last week, Biden campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond reiterated the decision not to focus on Trump’s legal problems.
However, Trump’s legal problems are not trivial matters. They represent an ongoing assault on our democracy, and it is difficult to reconcile the fact that a candidate campaigning on protecting our democracy refuses to address this significant threat.
The danger lies not just in what has already transpired, but also in what could potentially happen. Reports suggest that if Trump regains the White House, he and his allies plan to concentrate greater authority in the executive branch. Conservative groups are even drawing up plans to dismantle and replace the U.S. government with Trump’s vision. Trump himself has called for the “termination” of the Constitution to overturn the 2020 election.
Despite these alarming facts, Biden sticks to the strategy of dignified silence, banking on the belief that voters will recognize and appreciate the stark contrast between a restorer like himself and a destroyer like Trump.
While this approach may be crucial for the continuity of our Republic, it is reasonable to question its wisdom and be concerned about its potential consequences.
Back in 2019, during the campaign trail, Biden advised Hillary Clinton not to engage with Trump’s infamous “Access Hollywood” tape during their debate. He believed it would only distract from the issues at hand. But Trump seized the opportunity to attack Clinton using leaked emails, resulting in a wave of fury among conservatives.
The asymmetry in the way Trump and his opponents interact gives Trump a significant advantage. He relentlessly launches attacks, while his opponents maintain restraint, accumulating political wounds.
During a recent Labor Day speech, Biden referred to Trump as “the last guy,” avoiding mentioning his name directly.
Most of Trump’s opponents, irrespective of party affiliation, are taking a risky gamble that relies solely on the discernment of the American voter. While this approach may prove to be tactically advantageous, there is a significant possibility that it could be a tragic miscalculation.
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