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It's over a year until election night in 2020 and already, the divisive, racist rhetoric from President Donald Trump is ramping up as Americans reckon with the possibility of another four years with him in the White House.
Author and writer Teri Kanefield told Americans everything they need to know about the state of the race and what to do about it in a lengthy but helpful thread.
She began with good news and bad news.
(Thread) Good news & Bad news Good news: Trump is losing Bad news: He will up the ante on the racism, xenophobia,… https://t.co/xDQX0vGGk7— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565717965.0
Trump's approval rating converted into an electoral college map looks promising.
2/ Here’s the Civiqs numbers translated into electoral college result (attached): There is talk (in Texas!) of Tex… https://t.co/5Jm8CRq6fr— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565718136.0
Trump's plan to get ahead? Good ol' fashioned racism.
4/ Trump's strategy is cynical and dangerous—but smart (in an evil genius sort of way). @FrankFigliuzzi1 observed… https://t.co/wzeevdxZkR— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565718322.0
Kanefield points out that sensible Republicans left the party long ago due to Trump's behavior. Those that remain are his supporters, who were formerly confined to the fringes of the GOP.
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 9/ If you wonder what they'll will do when des… https://t.co/tUym7gzCBq— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565718938.0
As Kanefield notes, we've already seen an uptick in the damaging rhetoric from Trump. The El Paso shooter's manifesto used similar language to Trump's regarding the so-called "Hispanic invasion" of Texas. Under his watch, ICE detained 680 people thought to be undocumented immigrants in Mississippi, leaving children without their parents after the first day of school.
But how could even more racism help Trump?
Kanefield explains.
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 11/ If he tones it down, he will definitely lo… https://t.co/LpPrY56wvN— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565719156.0
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 12/ . . . if he keeps everyone riled, he might… https://t.co/YzUdwMhfZK— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565719374.0
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 13/ Bashing rules and norms helps keep everyon… https://t.co/9nBEJxWO2u— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565719537.0
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 14/ 💠Wears down democratic institutions so th… https://t.co/rNfvsvAC6E— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565719622.0
So that's pretty grim.
What can we do?
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol 16/ Angering & discouraging people so they don… https://t.co/R8pxhEv6gf— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565719842.0
@FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol @TimothyDSnyder 18/ This is why rage tweeting,… https://t.co/ksFxwwmkkp— Teri Kanefield (@Teri Kanefield) 1565720202.0
Kanefield says that Trump and his ilk expect, even relish, the rage of his critics. While Trump's actions should be rebuked, they should also be counteracted by grassroots organizing and fostering more genuine connections between voters, candidates, and the causes for which they both fight.
People were quick to back her up.
@Teri_Kanefield @FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol @TimothyDSnyder Thank you for an important thread!— Alan Gottesman (@Alan Gottesman) 1565732006.0
@Teri_Kanefield @FrankFigliuzzi1 @GOPChairwoman @MaxBoot @JRubinBlogger @BillKristol @TimothyDSnyder And don’t forg… https://t.co/PiokyrMLMT— Pam Westfall (@Pam Westfall) 1565725404.0
For Kanefield's full thread, click here.