The only winner in the Clinton/Trump presidential debate: confirmation bias
Victory shimmy? Not so fast.
Before Hillary Clinton’s supporters complete their victory lap in celebration of their candidate’s win over presidential rival Donald Trump’s performance in Monday’s first presidential debate, know this: Trump’s supporters don’t care.
Most of them probably didn’t even watch. Those that did are far less impressed with the measured, nuanced portrayals of policy and governmental experience espoused by Clinton than they are with the oft-repeated sound bites uttered by their champion.
“I’m a winner.”
“I don’t believe she does have the stamina.”
“Typical politician. All talk, no action. Sounds good, doesn’t work. Never going to happen.” That’s four in one rapid-fire barrage.
“Wrong.”
“That makes me smart.”
“That’s called ‘business.’”
“Your president.”
“Our jobs are leaving.”
“I will release my tax returns against my lawyer’s wishes when she releases her 33,000 e-mails that have been deleted.”
“We cannot be the policeman of the world.”
“You look at the Middle East, it’s a total mess, under your direction, to a large extent.”
Right. Secretary Clinton fouled up the previously smooth-running Middle East. But: it plays. Low-information voters are more than willing to believe it.
And on and on. Every one of those little beauties, which may not score any points toward getting Trump into the Debate Hall of Fame, are nonetheless just what the deplorab-, sorry, Trump voters, eat up.
The Hillary shimmy may be a popular meme today, but Trump’s backers don’t think Hillary won. They think Trump won. And to them, he did.
© Julian Rogers | @thejujueye | Juju Eye Communications
