The Nixon Strategy/The Silent Majority--could it work in 2004?

[jiacinto]

Could it work in 2004 for the Democrats to mirror the Nixon campaign of 1968? The thought has come across my mind. There is a silent majority of Americans who is tired:

of endless war;
of increasing deaths of Americans overseas;
or not having decent, affordable health care;
of being afraid of terrorist attacks, not being safe;
of losing jobs, not being able to find work;
tired of losing ground, constantly.

Could this work as a strategy? I think that maybe the Nixon campaign of 1968 might be a blueprint for 2004.

[goobergunch]

1. Possibly

I wouldn't rely on it alone, but I think that there could be an unexpected Democratic bump in 2004 based on people who have finally gotten fed up with Repukes.

[terryg11]

2. you have to prove it to them

this silent majority often doesn't vote thus the term silent majority so if you want them to vote for you give them something real, not the same ol' same ol'.

how did Nixon get them to vote, why did they believe him?

[LoneStarLiberal]

3. It Would Be Tough

It would be almost impossible to replicate Nixon's 1968 campaign for one reason: The Southern Strategy.

Nixon '68 was the first Republican national campaign to embrace the Southern Strategy as defined by wooing the conservative Southern Democrats (Dixiecrats) away from a Democratic Party that had alienated them. At the same time the Nixon campaign was competeing with a burgeoning George Wallace-led regionalist campaign that was attracting the same demographic.

I don't know where the Democratic Party could find a foothold in 2004 in the South; this is very firmly conservative Republican country for right now.

[jiacinto]

5. I would say inverted southern strategy then

It would not be totally impossible. I think the theme of the "silent majority" would be quite effective today.

[Davis_X_Machina]

4. Don't forget the committed and vocal minority

...of Americans who look forward to endless war on their TV, or who consider it the Lord's work, ushering in the End Times
...who consider increasing deaths of Americans overseas an acceptable price to pay to prove their cultural and racial supremacy, and for cheap gas
...who wouldn't take decent, affordable public health care if that meant the undeserving -- and swarthy -- poor get it too
...who don't fear terrorist attacks, because the ones we had so far got the places and the kinds of people who don't matter anyways
...who might regret losing a job, but accept the great American casino that we have now, instead of an economy, as part of their theology

Because those folks vote.

And when they lose, they rig the game.

[LeftHander]

6. Comparing Nixon in '68 to a Dem in 04'

Requires an assasination of the opposition front runner. Nixon was given the WHite House in '68 thanks to Robert Kennedy's assasination. Democrats and moderates were left to choose between the liberal Humphrey and the radical segregationist Wallace. Not exactly the kind of strategy people like to talk about.

SOuthern states went with Wallace and opened the door for a easy Nixon win who's strategy was to appeal to the moderate Democrats.

Looking back we see how advantageous the assasination of Kennedy was for the GOP to gain the Presidency in '68. Nixon was able to quickly incorporate some of Kennedy's base into his own and Allow Wallace to take the "old southern" democrats with him and away from Humphrey. Wallace hurt the Dems more than Nixon.

Nixon was a liar and cheat. We found out what depths he was willing to go ensure his grasp on power.

His silent majority was a load of bunk. People were scared and assasinations abounded we were in a horrible war. Rioting in the steets both anti-war and race riots played into the hands of the GOP.

There is no question in my mind we would be in a much different America if RK was not cut down in California that night in June 1968.

[jiacinto]

7. Why did Sirhan Sirhan kill RFK?

nt

[LeftHander]

8. Good question....

What did he say was his reason...

[Yupster]

12. RFK Support of Israel

he said he was a Palestinian nationalist.

He has said at his parole hearings that if RFK was alive today, he would want him released from prison. Rotten luck Sirhan. Only one person wants you out of prison and bad luck, you killed him.

[jiacinto]

14. Ok

So why did he single out RFK

[Name removed]

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[RedEarth]

10. LeftHander...very good points

I was in college in 1968 and people were very scared...JFK, King, RK, Vietnam. And it only got worse for the next five years. Kent State, Vietnam dragging on and then Watergate. I honestly was wondering if our country was going to make it.

The Democrats didn't have a decent candidate to rally around in 1968 and Nixon got it by default. Tragic.

[CMT]

11. yes it could

another theme of Nixon's was "American prestige is at a record low in the world"--could say the same today under Bush.

[uptohere]

13. has it ever not worked ?

sometimes they're called silent majority, other times swing votes, other times Regan Democrats.

A little hint, its the last three that they care most about. Its all about selling them your vision of how you can effect a change.

And nobody can sell like Edwards.