Inviting voters to shape the Trump campaign

One thing politicians have in common is the use of fear in emails they send to us asking for money. However, Bookworm observes that

fear is a useful weapon up to a point. It excites strong emotions, but those emotions cannot stay excited. Also, while it most certainly drags the opposition down, it’s not a great tool to build yourself up. That is, I don’t think Hillary makes herself look any better by saying that Trump is scary, especially when he’s not behaving in scary ways.

So if the fear-based campaign email is a little bit of a dead-end, what else can a candidate do? Well, I just received a very different email from the Trump campaign and, frankly, I thought it was brilliant.

Before I get to that email, let me back up a minute and talk about campaign slogans and rhetoric. Hillary’s slogan is “I’m With Her,” which is just a meaningless statement of allegiance. Paul McCartney twisted to “She’s With Me,” which should certainly get out the aging British rocker vote, but isn’t much of a get-out-the-vote slogan either. (And honestly, I really wish he’d kept his mouth shut because I love the Beatles’ music but now, every time I hear a song, I think to myself “It’s such a shame that McCartney matured into being an idiot” — which kind of spoils the music.)

Trump did a beautiful bit of rhetorical jujitsu and, instead of insisting that voters line up behind him, sheep-like, announced to the voters “I’m With You.” There’s a world of meaning in that. I’m supporting your values, I’m your man in the fight, I care about the things you care about, I am your servant, not your master.

Taking that powerful statement one step further, Trump’s campaign sent out a wonderful campaign email, which I’ll quote in full here:

Trump then goes on to solicit feedback from the reader on various issues:

1. Which issues are most important to you?

Securing the border
Stopping radical Islamic terrorism
Economy/jobs
Fair trade
American energy independence
Protecting the life of the unborn
Religious liberties
Upholding the Constitution
Preserving a conservative Supreme Court
2. Should Trump spend more of his time going after Hillary’s record and her positions on the issues?

Yes
No
No Opinion
3. Should Trump invest more time and resources in YOUR state?

Yes
No
No Opinion
4. Should Trump focus more on positive or negative advertising?

Positive
Negative
Both equally
5. Our tax system must be simplified to help working families and reduce IRS corruption.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
6. America must become energy independent to strengthen our economy and end dependence on our enemies for oil.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
7. Term limits should be imposed on congressmen and senators.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
8. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund abortions.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
9. A wall must be built along the southern border of the United States to stop the flow of illegal immigration.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
10. Trade deals must be renegotiated into terms that put America first.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
11. Hillary Clinton’s plan to increase the number of refugees America takes in by 550% would be disastrous.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
12. Taking proper care of our veterans must be a cornerstone of the Trump administration.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
13. The Second Amendment must be protected

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
14. Republicans are correct to wait until Trump becomes president to confirm Justice Scalia’s replacement on the Supreme Court.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
15. The federal government should return much of its power to state and local governments.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
16. Businesses have been crushed by burdensome regulations that stunt growth.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
17. We cannot tax our way out of debt. Instead, we must stop wasteful spending to reduce our $19 trillion debt.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
18. Our next president must roll back regulations that have forced companies to relocate overseas.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
19. Repealing and replacing ObamaCare should remain a top priority.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
20. A Republican House and Senate will best empower Trump to pass necessary reforms for our country.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
21. Political correctness has gone too far. It now threatens our national security.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
22. School choice policies are critical to empowering American families.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
23. We must end government regulations that have cost Americans jobs in states like Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
24. Obama’s executive orders must be rolled back on Trump’s first day in office.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
25. Trump must put an end to Obama’s military spending cuts.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
26. Veterans should be able to choose their own health care providers.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
27. Under Obama, the powers of the presidency have been abused.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
28. Our country has strayed too much from what our founders outlined in the Constitution.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
29. Law and order should remain a centerpiece of Trump’s platform.

Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
30. Which of the following are your biggest concerns personally? (Select as many that apply)

Job security
Mortgage payments
Social security
Saving for children’s education
Saving for retirement
Social issues
Terrorist threats
Cost of living
Increased crime
Veteran aid
Other

Read more here.