The pattern -
1) Dems build up a candidate supposedly as a progressive disruptor
2) Leftists point out a number of red flags (racism/misogyny/sexism/etc)
3) Dems nominate the candidate and claim they have moved to the left
4) The red flags turn out to be true
5) Dems then tell the left that they have to support this candidate because the Republicans are worse
6) Dems lose the election, blame the left rather than their own lack of values.
Purity Trap (cont)
The most crucial thing about purity traps is that they collapse the political stakes. There may be huge consequences in the election, like in this case, winning a majority in the US Senate. But, because we are caught in a purity trap, what is literally an existential issue for democracy in this country takes a back seat to these accusations.
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Purity Trap (cont)
Purity traps don't work on GOP candidates. GOP voters are much more inclined to ignore such vulnerabilities in the interest of winning party power. Also, purity traps utilize control of the media and the GOP billionaires control the media.
Democrats are more susceptible because they inherently believe their leaders must be good people too. It is much easier to convince Democratic voters their candidate is disqualified, even if the opposition is much worse.
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Purity Trap (cont)
Once the purity trap has been established, nothing else matters for those who have been successfully captured. For instance, it does not matter that the people in Gaza would be much worse off under a GOP administration, Biden's support for Israel was disqualifying.
Once a purity trap has been sprung you will hear statements like, "I could never vote for..." said person.
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Purity Trap (cont)
It is important to point out that the subject vulnerability can be either real or made up. It can be a kernel of truth and exaggerated, or it can actually be something truly awful. Most often there is at least some truth.
The term 'purity' here simply relates to establishing the subject vulnerability in the target's minds as politically disqualifying.
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Purity Trap (cont)
A 'purity trap' can be defined as a deliberate, concerted and sustained effort by the opposition utilizing the media to amplify and characterize some political vulnerability as absolutely disqualifying.
The goal of a purity trap is to shift focus entirely from all other issues such that the subject vulnerability becomes dispositive.
This is done through blanketed coverage and repetition.
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Platner and The Purity Trap
Feel like these last few days in Maine can be a teachable moment. What we are seeing play out is political information warfare that could be branded a "purity trap".
Purity trap tactics have their roots in the swift boating of John Kerry and the destruction of Al Franken. Purity traps were run effectively against 'Genocide' Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
So, let's talk about 'purity traps'...
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David Fleetwood - RG Admin
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