Berl Falbaum
Those opposing Donald Trump for the presidency -- Democrat and Republican alike -- have relied on various strategies to try to defeat him, but nothing has worked.
They have ignored him. They have offered mild criticism. They have even embraced him. Democrats have cited his vulgarity, immorality, 91 felony charges, conviction for sexual assault in a civil case, and so much more.
The result: Trump only climbed in the polls.
It should be clear by now (it should have been months ago) that they need to adopt an entirely new innovative strategy.
After much thought, I came up with the answer: They have to outdo him on his despicable behavior. Given Trump supporters’ acceptance and admiration of Trump, candidates have to show them that they could -- and would -- do worse. The principle is simple:
Give voters what they want.
Out with the old political thinking; in with the new which dictates proving they are no goody-two-shoes. They need to insist they don’t have an honest bone in their bodies and anyone who accuses them of being virtuous and a person who keeps their word is spreading ugly political rumors.
These candidates need to make the case that Trump is a Boy Scout compared to the loathsome and contemptible behavior they would display if elected.
And time is running out for Republicans in the primaries with the Iowa caucuses scheduled for January 15 followed by the New Hampshire primary January 23.
For instance, while Trump lied at least 30,000 times during his presidency, they would promise to double that figure. Nothing will be too trivial to lie about.
“If you want a liar, you can’t do any better than me,” they would protest. “I’m the best around and I’m not lying -- this time.”
That should be good for a point or two in the polls.
Trump was impeached twice; his opponents would shoot for at least four impeachments and convictions in the Senate.
Trump is facing 91 felony charges in four separate indictments. They need to call that out for what it is: Child’s play.
Trump’s opponents would work to double that number. Plus, they would promise guilty verdicts. Add three points in the polls.
Trump has been found guilty of sexual assault. Trump’s challengers would point out that the verdict came in a civil suit. They would seek a conviction in a criminal proceeding that threatens jail time.
They would also brag that they grabbed women by their genitalia whenever and wherever the opportunity presented itself, and they did that more often than Trump. This would be a biggie and probably put them ahead in the polls by double digits. (I am not sure how Nikki Haley would handle this issue).
The former president uses ugly language to characterize political opponents and adversaries around the world. His opponents need to upgrade their vocabulary -- I mean downgrade -- to make Trump look like a Mr. Nice Guy.
“I will be as sleazy as possible, I promise,” they would exclaim as supporters go wild. “Thank you, thank you. I will not let you down.
“After I am through, Trump fans will regret having supported him. Compared to my venality, he was virtuous. Deceit, dishonesty and double-dealing will be an inseparable part of our administration. We will not compromise on these principles. Never!
“‘Deceit, Dishonesty and Double-Dealing for a Brighter Future’ will be our campaign slogan -- DDD.
“In addition, I not only believe Trump won the 2020 election, but he won in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 as well. I know the media will tell you he wasn’t even a candidate. But that’s part of the fringe left-wing media conspiracy. That proves I am worse than Trump; even he did not make that claim.
“I am in the process of hiring my staff and am culling prisons for the best talent. Forget about Michael Cohen, Steve Bannon, Rudy Giuliani, Michael Flynn and all the others. They were all amateurs.
“I am already considering cabinet members like someone from the Gambino family as attorney general. Makes sense to me. Who knows more about criminal law?
“For secretary of the treasury I am thinking about the crypto king, Sam Bankman-Fried, the guy who headed FTX, made billions but is now in prison. I would pardon him. My kind of guy.
“I also want to find a good position for Stormy Daniels. And I use the word ‘position’ advisedly.
“Every member of my staff and cabinet will be subject to criminal charges by the time we are done. I will have hundreds of pardons printed the day we walk into the White House. All I will have to do is fill in the names.”
Then there is the issue of financing The Wall. Trump’s opponents can point out that the former president was never successful in getting Mexico to pay for it.
“I will tell you here today,” an opponent would say, “if I am elected, I will get Liechtenstein to pay for it. If it refuses, woe to the Liechtensteiners.
“Finally, I will incite insurrections for elections we lose anywhere in the country.”
Given the Trump voters’ moral compass, such a political strategy, if carried out properly, cannot help but produce victory.
As I write this, I can’t help but visualize the reaction to these promises on the campaign trail.
Supporters of Trump will leave him in a heartbeat using an all too familiar refrain often cited by the former president: “We never heard of him.”
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Berl Falbaum is a long time political reporter and author.
