It is too early to assess the way forward after last night’s assassination attempt. But explosive events have the potential to blow up all the plans.
Going back, way back to the 1970s and 80s and my time as a campaign manager/consultant. I still recall vividly efforts to help candidates gain attention so their message could be heard. It was much easier than it is today. There were few channels of television and while more, there were not that many radio stations. And Internet based media—well it didn’t exist.
Money, as I recall, was more limited. Most candidates could not raise enough money to sustain an advertising campaign more than a few weeks. Political operatives tore into polling results to find themes that would be impactful and then filmmakers crafted 30 and 60 second commercials hoping to cut through the noise. Importantly, except for absentee ballots, we all voted on the same day.
Noise? Today the noise is deafening; to cut through it politicians take hyperbole to new levels. What, they ask, will awaken the public to my appeal? How can I get my arguments across?
How, an operative might ask, can I make President Biden or Former President Trump near-Satanic? Toxic? And, of course, the other side faces the same obstacles and proceeds in kind. Political fever swells and the weakest get caught up in a feverish response.
Biden, Trump and the other candidate of note, Robert F Kennedy Jr., are simply human beings. For sure they are not saints, but then who is? They want to do good, leave a mark, but the path often eludes them. We are left to parse speeches, platforms and declarations of all sorts but few do.
Candidates search for the weaknesses and load them with explosives. Mostly voters respond along a spectrum but then a very few turn to violence. In the meantime the political operatives keep searching the polls for what messages are working. The polls have become elections within an election. Which messages are breaking through? How, they ask, can we cut through the campaign noise? Harsh words and images to follow. The musical background dark. Vociferous allies even more vociferous. And because many States encourage early voting the drum beat starts early.
The assassination attempt on the former President failed. It’s now the new clay for campaign operatives and ultimately their candidates. It will have a profound impact on the political narrative. I suspect it will help the assassins target. How, many will ask, can an elite protective organization fail to protect? Does memory fail; this is certainly not the first time a shooter turned on a candidate. Yet, not a good look for the Biden administration. But honesty requires a simple answer: clean hands do not exist. It can be said that Trump is a victim of his more explosive campaign tactics.
Is there anything we can do—the voters? Sure, but will we? Doubtful. Because what we can do is turn to content. What are the policies of the candidates? What combination appeals to me? Beyond the campaign rhetoric, who are the candidates? What character or temperament can I trust? For example, can I trust somebody who demonizes his opponents? The answer is no.
Al Sikes is the former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission under George H.W. Bush. Al writes on themes from his book, Culture Leads Leaders Follow published by Koehler Books.
Reed Fawell 3 says
“The assassination attempt on the former President failed. It’s now the new clay for campaign operatives and ultimately their candidates. It will have a profound impact on the political narrative. I suspect it will help the assassins target. How, many will ask, can an elite protective organization fail to protect? Does memory fail; this is certainly not the first time a shooter turned on a candidate. Yet, not a good look for the Biden administration. But honesty requires a simple answer: clean hands do not exist. It can be said that Trump is a victim of his more explosive campaign tactics.”
Oh, really? “Not a good look for Biden Administration.”
Is this really Trump’s fault? Is Trump’s “more explosive campaign tactics” the reason for his poor Biden Administration Secret Service protection that resulted in his near death by an assassins’ bullet?” Is that the real story here?
Or does such a delusional rationalization and characterization for Sunday;s attempted murder of an American President raise Donald Trump to the stature of the dead Abraham Lincoln? If so, this event is truly a civil war moment?
Rick Schilling says
Journalistic bias is often subtle, and it is evident in the July 14th article, “Last Night by Al Sykes”. Mr. Sykes creates political commentary on the attempted assassination of former President Trump by saying “Yet, not a good look for the Biden administration. But honesty requires a simple answer: clean hands do not exist. It can be said that Trump is a victim of his more explosive campaign tactics.”
Mr. Sykes gives President Biden a pass by saying “not a good look for the Biden administration” but blames President Trump by saying “It can be said that Trump is a victim of his more explosive campaign tactics.”
Mr. Sykes apparently sees no equivalency with President Biden’s constant claim that President Trump is an existential threat to democracy. That phrase is the overriding theme of the Democrats, and of President Biden’s campaign. By beating the drum of “existential threat to democracy” on a 24/7 basis, it is President Biden who caused President Trump to be “a victim of his (Biden’s) more explosive campaign tactics.”
Michael Davis says
I have a difficult time believing that “existential threat to democracy,” is equivalent in promoting violence as Trump calling people vermin, Mexicans rapist and murders, escapees from mental insititutions and jails, foreigners who polute our bloodlines, all residents of “s**thole countries. He mocks women who have suffered sexual assault – to a crowd of laughting fans – Gold Star families, people with disabilities, veterans who died in war, veterans who were captured by the our enemy, etc. He calls Democrats traitors.
‘
He is a merchant of spewing hatred to his rabit cheering fan base. I suggest Mr. Schilling watch a few Trump rallies.
Finally, the shooter was a registered Republican whose friends say was a political conservative. Not someone who listen’s to Biden.
John Hall says
One of the things I am reading is that the internet has effectively reduced consumers’ attention span. To ask those addicted to the internet to examine content is to assume a capacity which may no longer exist. I worry that your suggested approach (turn to the content) may be no more possible than in the days of voter illiteracy.
Laurie Powers says
Mr. Sikes, I believe your questions in the last paragraph are the right ones to be asking ourselves.
“For example, can I trust somebody who demonizes his opponents? The answer is no.”
The only major candidate who doesn’t demonize his opponents is Robert Kennedy, Jr.
Unlike the other two, he consistently behaves in a respectful, fair and statesmanlike manner because that’s who he is, a man of character, Kennedy values and integrity. His campaigning focuses on his platform of hope – restoring unity and peace, and trust in government by ending the corruption and corporate capture of our regulatory agencies, making government work for We the People as intended, and creating a better future for all Americans. There is more, but this is a big distinction from the other two candidates.
I don’t hear anything remotely similar from the other two candidates regarding their platforms. They just demonize their opponents and supporters, and stoke division, culture wars and fear of the “other,” which has led to the division and violence we have experienced in the extreme the last eight years.
The choice is strikingly clear to me and those who really listen to and follow RFK, Jr. and want to vote for a candidate out of hope, rather than against a candidate out of fear. As we used to before 2016.
We are at a tipping point, largely because of the broken, off-the-rails, divisive two-party system and resulting lack of trust in government and one another it has created. We each have a responsibility to create the future and government we want, in our daily actions and at the polls.
One final and important note. President Biden still refuses to grant Mr Kennedy Secret Service protection as required by law 120 days from the election, and as generally granted much farther out. Biden has denied six requests by Kennedy over the last year. We are within the 120-day window and Biden is breaking the law by withholding taxpayer-provided protection, for his own benefit, in an attempt to bleed the Kennedy campaign dry by having to pay many millions for private security and to deny the legitimacy of his candidacy. Biden is the only president to refuse a candidate protection and Kennedy is the only candidate, since inception of the law after his father’s assassination, to be denied protection. Biden’s inexcusable and anti-democratic behavior in this regard alone should disqualify him in everyone’s mind. Especially after what happened last night at a Trump rally and the 775 pages from a FOIA document disclosure of threats on Kennedy’s life since he announced his candidacy last year. And Mr. Trump should be demanding protection for Mr. Kennedy for the same reasons, as Mr. Kennedy would if the situation were reversed. But, he’s not, because he’s only worried about himself, which is also not presidential behavior.
We deserve so much better than either of the lesser of the two uniparty evils. We deserve a unified America and positive change from a new President Kennedy. I pray that thoughtful and hopeful Americans agree.
Al Sikes says
Thank you. While wary of RGKJ I must admit that he should be allowed protection and that I hope he gets on most ballots.
Carol Voyles says
Not a good look for the Biden administration?
Fortunately Trump escaped serious injury, but others weren’t so fortunate. Senator J.D. Vance, (R,OH), a possible Trump VP candidate, deleted X posts suggesting Biden’s influence, possibly because there’s no evidence of that.
Having also experienced what may be one of the longest and most critical campaigns in our nation’s history, with three months to go Biden’s “calm” should prevail. Virtually any rate of rate of inflation is no fun when wages haven’t kept up. Should it be any comfort, inflation rates in Russia and Hungary are more than twice our 2.9 – 3%.(IMF).
Nine of the world’s ten wealthiest persons are U.S. citizens (according to Forbes) and they are led by Elon Musk. They don’t likely need another tax cut, but not only are wages more likely to go up once “Sleepy Joe ” is re-elected, Democratic administrations have created significantly less debt as a share of our economy over the past half century – and President Joe Biden is no exception.
Suzanne Todd says
Not a good look for the Biden administration? Mmm How about our country? How about Congress that allows AR 15’s to be available? How about the Republican candidate for the presidency who continues to encourage hate?
Barbara Denton says
This is a disgrace. Just what exactly are the more explosive campaign tactics you are referring to? Biden’s DEI appointee to head the Secret Service with no experience whatsoever to lead such an important department plays a huge role in this. You inference that it is Trump’s fault is beyond the pale.
You are correct in that you cannot trust a candidate who demonizes his opponent. That description fits Joe Biden to a tea. His rhetoric and that of his Democrat mouthpieces were responsible for this violence.
You should be ashamed for this article.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Well, the truth is that the former President Trump survived last Saturday’s assassination attempt stronger than ever. So what happens next? Between now and the election? And, after his election to a second term, what happens then? Does Biden say he was just kidding last year in front of Independence Hall. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC-k-lhml4o
Al Sikes says
Barbara, read Michael’s response above.
Reed Fawell 3 says
Al, do you consider your default to Michael Davis’s July 15 commentary above “a good look”?
For example this: “He (Donald Trump) is a merchant of spewing hatred to his rabid cheering fan base. I suggest Mr. Schilling watch a few Trump rallies.”
Al, spend your next three days watching the Trump Convention on TV. While you do so, keep a sharp eye out for that and for this:
“…Trump calling people vermin, Mexicans rapist and murders, escapees from mental institutions and jails, foreigners who polute our bloodlines, all residents of “s**thole countries. He mocks women who have suffered sexual assault – to a crowd of laughting fans – Gold Star families, people with disabilities, veterans who died in war, veterans who were captured by the our enemy, etc. He calls Democrats traitors. He is a merchant of spewing hatred to his rabid cheering fan base. I suggest Mr. Schilling watch a few Trump rallies. Finally, the shooter was a registered Republican whose friends say was a political conservative. Not someone who listen’s to Biden.”
Then report back Al on what you find in the convention that jives with Michael’s comment. Or in his entire campaign for that matter, given that now women and minorities, Hispanics and Blacks, and every day working people, including union members, police, and veterans now are polling for Trump in record numbers.
Is endorsing Michael’s take on Trump really “a good look,” Al?
Deirdre LaMotte says
So, a registered Republican armed with an AR-15. Looks like that whole “the libs are trying to kill us” narrative just went right down the loo.
My tv ad:
• Trump ridiculing neurologically impaired man
• Trump saying, “Take him out, I’ll pay your legal bills”
• “When you arrest them, don’t be so nice”
• “Be there, it will be wild”
• Every call for violence he’s uttered
• Video of Trump getting shot
Close with: IS THIS THE COUNTRY YOU WANT TO LIVE IN?
Reed Fawell 3 says
Great keep it up tonight, tomorrow and Thursday!
Deirdre LaMotte says
The world would be a kinder, better place for all without dictators: looking at you Russia, North Korea, China and Iran….
and wannabe domestic authoritarians. I don’t need to name that one, he is easy to smell….
Victoria Delheimer says
I am not a trump fan personally but support his policies. The country is much worse off under the current administration. The convention this week has only supported my conviction to support the republication agenda. Again don’t agree with everything they support but the country cannot survive under the continued policies. I have voted both parties, but for now, we can’t have unsecured boarders, weak foreign policies, energy dependence on other countries and on and on..
Deirdre LaMotte says
So you support eliminating the one thing that America and the rest of our allies have had that keeps us strong and safe, NATO. We are the leader of the world in most measures. Foreign policy particularly. The free world looks to us as a partner in democracy.
And you support Trump in convincing his congressional allies into opposing the most stringent bi partisan border bill ever. He does not care on whit about border security. He did not want Biden to benefit.
And you want the middle class to support the billionaire class, because that is coming.
You want to know what is planned with people already being “appointed”? Educate yourself and all your Trumpies to Project 2025. Everything there will be implemented.
Your loss and our nation’s loss unless you are a billionaire, far right evangelical or hate
democracy with, you know, minorities, gays and women who think.