electoralism

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Why has "weird" had such an incredible punch to it, but "Deplorables" flopped hard and made things worse? There are several theories, probably all contributing lol, but I just think its interesting. (hexbear.net)

submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Theories

Its literally just because Hillary Clinton sucks so hard and people didnt want to hear that shit from her
Deplorables is too much of a vocabulary word, weird is a word everyone knows. So deplorable just comes off more elitist, from a woman who is already seen that way. To quote a friend I asked "I think deplorable has a negative connotation that speaks to core personhood, in a way that comes off as both mean spirited and elitist"
The GOP hadnt gotten unhinged enough yet, so America wasnt ready for a campaign that is dismissive of them and still expected bipartisan respect and shit, but are now because the "weird" shit is so out there all the time
"Weird" is simply a more effective word to describe the situation at hand
Deplorables would have worked fine with the young people who can vote now but couldnt in 2008.
Kamala and especially Walz are better representations of "not weird" than Hillary was a representation of "not deplorable".
"Weird" hits them harder, insults them worse, and thus makes them spiral more in a way deplorable didnt
Deplorable would have worked fine if it wasnt just a one off comment but a sustained campaign message (this one im thinking probably not)
The Vance effect, he's just that weird.
People who are tired of Democrats being respectful like weird a lot

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

There's a thread in the 1992 film 'The Babe' about Babe Ruth around the word "incorrigible". As a young boy, he is labelled with this term ending him up in the 'special class' for bad kids, etc. It comes back around when he assaults other characters in his adult life after that word is used against him. I think this is probably a bit of the boomer brain recognition of 'deplorables' in related to this language.

The words sound similarly judgemental, while weird is taken as a more 'in the moment' behavioral meaning. "Incorrigible" and "deplorables" are similarly permanent seeming, like an attack on someones core being, not just related to current behaviors. There's also the vibe of 'reclaiming' deplorables. "The Expendables" was released in 2010, so maybe that's a bit of a response in some ways.

Weird is just not as broadly judgemental. Many things can be weird and also be cool or good. Weird things can become familiar and less weird over time, etc.