As some of you may recall, Obama was a big fan of Alinsky as well and known to use his tactics, described as "The 13 Rules for the Left". I remember this being a big issue eight years ago during the 2008 election cycle. More importantly, after Obama won the election, I picked up Alinsky's book from the library so that I could familiarize myself with the tactics the Left used to win the election and see if there were any weaknesses in them. From what I could gather then, and believe still, there is no logical/rational/ethical way to combat Alinsky's attacks and still retain the moral high ground or a principled platform. In short, the rules result in a "win at any cost" style strategy that is the campaign equivalent of thermonuclear war - you will destroy your opponent, but you cannot escape unscathed.
Which brings me back to my friend's Facebook post. He used Hillary's affinity for Alinsky as a good reason not to vote for her. I can agree with that sentiment, but it brought to mind the rather unusual way in which the current Republican candidate rose to power. As I reflected on his methods during the RNC Presidential Campaign, it occurred to me that Donald J. Trump relied heavily on Alinsky's tactics. So effective was his use of the Rules for Radicals that without any political experience or any defined policies of his own, he managed to remove every other candidate from the field.
First, a review of Alinsky's rules:
Alinsky’s 13 Rules for the Left:
1. “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (Are you feeling disenfranchised by the Republican Party? Fear not. Trump is rich and he agrees with you.)
2. “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone. (Above all else, portray confidence - even ego. The alternative looks weak. I'm Trump, I'm rich, I'm successful. I should know)
3. “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. (Wanna look good on TV? Why not go with a Reality TV star...)
4. “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (Conservatives, in particular, are very fond of living by a code of ethics - which is a key weakness to exploit by someone without any)
5. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (This was probably Trump's biggest tool - "Lyin' Ted" comes to mind - ridicule your opponent until he implodes, as Cruz did)
6. “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones. (What did the people want? An anti-establishment candidate. What did Trump give them? An anti-establishment candidate who proved it by constantly bashing the establishment)
7. “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news. (In other words, create new controversies to always stay in the news - this is Trump's forte)
8. “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new. (Twitter attacks at the rate of at least 8-12 per day kept up unrelenting pressure, and were amplified by injecting them with scathing ridicule)
9. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist. (Remember Trump's threat to "reveal" stuff about Ted Cruz's wife? Never did, probably couldn't, but he hovered that one for weeks)
10. "The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition." It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign. (Continually assaulting Cruz's character led to his implosion)
11. “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. (Trump constantly played himself off as the underdog - as the crusader, the anti-establishment, the savior from hordes of scary Mexican immigrants, etc)
12. “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem. (What was Trump's criticism of everyone else's immigration policy? That it wasn't strict enough. When pressed for policy specifics, he didn't have any - until he was nominated. Then he co-opted his opponents' policy)
13. “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This, again, is the core of Trump's primary strategy - attack the individuals. Attack attack attack! And, of course, make it as personal as possible)
In summary, Trump is the PERFECT disciple of Saul Alinsky, the Community Organizer who praised Lucifer and touted "win at any cost" strategies. In word, deed, and principle he has embodied the far left's tactics for seizing power. How else could he systematically destroy 15 reasonable candidates? How else could he have so little substance behind him yet still rally emotional support?
Conservatives are against Community Organizing radicals without morals, ethics, or anything resembling solid character and noble attributes. We want honorable leadership, not continuous attacks and shady backgrounds. This is the primary reason conservatives are against Trump and leaving the Republican Party in droves. The wolf is in charge of the hen house - which, consequently, is also on fire in an earthquake zone while under quarantine for smallpox.
