Who Do You Trust?

A recent poll shows more people trust Donald Trump to protect our democracy than Joe Biden.

How the hell is that possible?  One thing is for sure: Democrats can’t blame this perception on Republicans.

Even before his election, Trump had sold his soul to Vladimir Putin. As he might put it, What a great deal he got; one soul for one country.  And it’s not like he was using his soul.

His family seems to have split loyalties to America as well.  An incisive investigation of Ivanka Trump’s investment in China would surely have turned up myriad conflicts of interest.  Her husband also seems to have benefited from the selfless magnanimous of the Saudi royal family.

Early in his reign, Trump stripped the State Department of many of its most experienced employees.  He placed his political henchmen in critical positions in an apparent attempt to subvert DOJ and DOD.  He treated his generals like his lowest personal servants.

And then of course January 6 and his continuing effort to effect a coup and subvert America’s electoral process.  And his convictions for sexual abuse and financial fraud.

Yet somehow Democrats - or at least - Biden - have less credibility on defending democracy than the man who has singlehandedly done more to destroy it than anyone in history.

It’s not clear why.  Some of it can be attributed to the poisonous propaganda efforts of the right.

But Democrats bear much of the blame. They pumped up the threat Trump poses but let down the publci by failing in their impeachment attempts. They didn’t defend America’s sloppy but effective withdrawal from Afghanistan.  They’ve haven’t neutralized the left ‘s and right’s criticism Ukraine or Israel. Or, for that matter, Biden’s low-key persona.

The reasons may not be important.  What matters is what Democrats do over the new few months.

Starting with the first debate, Biden has to remind America of Trump’s sinister efforts to hurt American interests.  He’s got to be branded as Dictator Don or something similar.

Democrats have to be relentless.  Republicans used to brand Dems as  Communist sympathizers and continue to cast doubt on their patriotism.  Dems have to learn from Republicans and turn the tables on them.

But they also have to take a positive approach.  They have to develop strategies to - discretely - use the military to their advantage.  They have to build trust in the DOJ’s honesty and effectiveness.  They have to honor police officers and other first responders.  They have to get the support of the business community, farmers, and other representatives of mainstream America.

They have to emphasize their success in ending the spike in crime and urban unrest that took place under Trump.

In short, they have to assure America that it is they, not Republicans, who are the trustworthy stewards of our nation’s security.

A good place to start?  The southern border.

It may be hard for Democrats to take, but it may be impossible to change public perceptions as long as Republicans can point to the border as a festering threat.

Pictures are worth a thousand words.  If Dems can show a safe, secure border Republicans have a lot less to run on.