Everybody Wants to Rule the World

                                               Everybody Wants to Rule the World

“…Welcome to your life, there's no turning back, even while we sleep, we will find you acting on your best behavior, turn your back on mother nature. Everybody wants to rule the world…” Everybody Wants to Rule the World…Tears for Fears…Recently, on a political website, a woman who identified herself as a devout Christian wrote, “…God spared Trump so that he could uncover the evils within our government…” Last week, a survey-based Washington Post article reported that, “…a quarter of Republicans think Trump should seize power even if he loses…” At the same time, on the Progressive side, several celebrities and influencers were contemplating what country they’d move to if Trump got elected. Despite their fervor, neither MAGA, nor Progressives, are going to decide this election. The issue will be decided in six states by about 30% of the voting public- a shadowy group referred to as independents, undecideds, moderates, swing voters, or as I prefer to call them ‘the middle’. Both MAGA and Progressives are drama queens, they vote on emotion. MAGA believes immigrants, woke politics, DEI, big government, crime and runaway spending have ruined America and that only Donald Trump is big enough, bold enough, and has the stomach to correct the problem. Progressives see Trump as a reincarnation of Hitler in a better suit- a racist, a pervert, a crook, and a climate denier, who uses incorrect pronouns and will drag America back into the horse & buggy days. Pollsters and pundits love MAGA and Progressives, they’re easy to read--angry, anxious to share their views, and always ready to supply a juicy soundbite. The concept of undecided voters at this stage is ridiculous, this race is too contentious. If there’s any undecided voters left, they’ll be having a meeting Friday night in the phone booth down at State & Main. So, who are ‘the middle’, the 30% who’ll pick the president in November? In simple terms, they’re probably the most boring people you’ll ever meet, the least excitable voters in this election. They’re the hardest group to read because they don’t have yard signs, bumper stickers, ball caps, or political t-shirts, don’t respond to pollsters, and block political messages as soon as they hit their iPhone. They’re a diverse group that crosses every generational, racial, ethnic and religious line. Unlike the past, religion plays little into their voting patterns. Decades ago, sermons went from the pulpit straight into the voting booth, but not so today. ‘The middle’ doesn’t take lecturing, pressure, or suggestions, well. They also don’t do hero worship, or fall in love with candidates, these are pragmatic ‘issue voters’ first and foremost. The only time the candidate will override the issues, is if the candidate is glaringly incompetent, corrupt, or totally toxic. ‘The middle’ voters aren’t Republican or Democrat, they’re a hybrid without loyalty to either political party, and in the past, have probably cast an equal number of Republican and Democratic ballots. They’ll accept flaws in a candidate if the flaws are overridden by positives. They tend to be watchful and guardedly optimistic towards cultural change, differing opinions and the future. Most have attended at least some college, many on the GI bill. They tend to have a broader world view, and a more laissez faire attitude about cultural change. They have travelled and are less inclined to be frightened, or hostile towards immigration. They tend to be a little older age group, gainfully employed, or retired. They’re well read and follow current events. They may see some woke politics and DEI initiatives as an overreach, but are old enough to remember Jim Crow laws, and understand that progress, equality and ‘doing the right thing’ can be a bumpy road, but in the end, society figures it out for the good of everybody. It’s why I like ‘the middle’, they never get too far right or left, they don’t drive the ship into an iceberg, and generally, after the mandatory pissing and moaning from both fringes, come up with something we can all live with … So, where does this shadowy group of voters go? If you know, or want to guess, drop me a line. I personally think it’s too close to call with 50 days to go, pretty much like Aaron Sorkin said, “…it’s six to five and pick ‘em…”