# I am SERIOUSLY WORRIED that these riots are going to get Trump re-elected **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 26, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092 "2020-08-26T20:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/61 "2020-08-27T14:30:21Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > And ratings for the RNC convention is 6x that of the DNC. 6 times the ratings? Do you have a cite for that? This article on Media Post shows that the DNC had better ratings than the RNC on Day 1 (Monday), but the RNC had slightly better ratings than the DNC for Day 2 (Tuesday). But, it also notes that, as more Americans are viewing TV programs (like the conventions) over streaming services, rather than on traditional TV, Nielsen ratings are increasingly an inaccurate measure of total viewership. > **[Day 2 Of The RNC Is The First 2020 Convention Coverage To Beat 2016 Ratings](https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/355175/day-2-of-the-rnc-is-the-first-2020-convention-cove.html)** > > Day Two of the Republican National Convention out-delivered the TV network audiences of the second day of the Democratic National Convention, as well as Day Two of the RNC in 2016. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/62 "2020-08-27T14:33:35Z")
> **[First night of GOP convention delivers nearly six times more views than start...](https://thehill.com/homenews/media/513507-first-night-of-gop-convention-delivers-nearly-six-times-more-views-than-start/)** > > C-SPAN’s livestream of the first night of the Republican National Convention has attracted nearly 440,000 views, marking a substantial increase over the start of the Democratic… Granted, this is C-SPAN, so… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/63 "2020-08-27T14:34:35Z")
Yeah, that’s specifically “6 times the viewers on the C-SPAN livestream.” ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/64 "2020-08-27T14:48:11Z")
I know for a fact that my brother, a Very Democrat, is tuning in to the RNC every day to see the dumpster fire. How many of those 6x viewers (on C-SPAN’s livestream) are Trump voters? We don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/65 "2020-08-27T14:51:05Z")
> **[Murder suspect’s suicide sparks looting, unrest in Minneapolis](https://nypost.com/2020/08/27/murder-suspects-suicide-sparks-looting-unrest-in-minneapolis/)** > > A murder suspect in Minneapolis committed suicide as police were about to capture him Wednesday — sparking looting and unrest in a city still reeling from the death of George Floyd. The man, … More looting in Minneapolis. Yes this is potentially a big problem for the Democrats especially since it’s happening disproportionately is Mid-west swing states. It’s fortunate they have a ticket with two relative moderates on law and order. However that does not provide an infinite amount of protection. If these riots keep happening every couple of weeks till November, it could get very dicey. And beyond politics these riots are highly damaging to cities facing economic ruin from Covid. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/66 "2020-08-27T14:53:00Z")
This is all happening under Trump’s watch. Trump’s policies are making these riots more likely. This is probably the argument the campaign will make if they continue. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/67 "2020-08-27T14:58:17Z")
And it’s not going to work. People can see this is only happening in democratic controlled areas. They’re not idiots. And they can also see that Trump is chomping at the bit to go in there and crush it. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/68 "2020-08-27T15:06:35Z")
This guy didn’t get outraged when a cop shot an unarmed black man in the back. He’s pissed because the trains won’t run on time due to the protests. KMA. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/69 "2020-08-27T15:07:57Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This is all happening under Trump’s watch. Trump’s policies are making these riots more likely. This is probably the argument the campaign will make if they continue. This would be akin to Republicans blaming Obama for the fact that global warming/climate change continued to worsen under his watch. It wouldn’t work because environmental voters recognize that Republicans are the more anti-environmental side. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/70 "2020-08-27T15:09:11Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > He can’t be “law and order” when there’s so much anti-police sentiment, He absolutely can. Racial bias in policing is not a necessary component of maintaining law or order. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/71 "2020-08-27T15:10:23Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > He can’t be “law and order” when there’s so much anti-police sentiment, and he can’t be too soft either or he’ll alienate fearful suburbanites If saying “the police need to shot brutalizing innocent people and shooting unarmed black men in the back” is going to alienate fearful suburbanites, Suburbia needs an enema. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/72 "2020-08-27T15:11:04Z")
Yes, and those who are able to see past the smokescreen see that the police are supporting the Republicans by stoking fear and resentment in their populace. They _want_ civil unrest, it’s good job security. Unfortunately, you are right that there are many who will buy the simplistic and disingenuous story that it’s all the democrat’s fault that the people react poorly to being terrorized and oppressed. We can only hope that there are enough that are intellectually curious enough to wonder why exactly it is that these people seem to be so upset. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/73 "2020-08-27T15:11:36Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > He absolutely can. Racial bias in policing is not a necessary component of maintaining law or order. Ok, then let’s see it. So far all I’m seeing from him is “violence is bad, m’kay?” Well, no shit. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/74 "2020-08-27T15:13:46Z")
If that’s all you are seeing, then that’s all you will see, as that is all you choose to see. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/75 "2020-08-27T15:14:08Z")
A fair amount of the violence is being perpetrated by white agitators. I think what we’re seeing is that there is already a brewing low-grade civil conflict that’s beginning to take place out in the open. I don’t blame BLM or their supporters for doing anything, as it’s their right to protest. The protests are being deliberately infiltrated and disrupted by violent right wing thugs, and perhaps some left wing anarchist types who have no interest in the cause of race relations but simply want chaos and want to fight. The protests in Kenosha were presumably to protect the abuse of black citizens by mostly white police departments, but the homicides in Kenosha were whites killing other whites, which supports what I’m saying above. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/76 "2020-08-27T15:14:08Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > And it’s not going to work. People can see this is only happening in democratic controlled areas. They’re not idiots. And they can also see that Trump is chomping at the bit to go in there and crush it. To “crush it” would be to make the riots worse, barring actual mass murder (which probably wouldn’t be terribly politically advantageous). Cities are generally led by Democrats… so the fact that these are happening in “Democratic controlled areas” doesn’t tell us anything. In the cities in which the police and leadership cooperated and worked with the protesters and BLM movement, there’s been far, far less rioting and violence. It’s only when they’ve taken a Trumpian (i.e. confrontational) attitude that there have been significant violence. I don’t think the voting public is in favor of brutalizing mostly peaceful protesters, like Lafayette Square. And Trump’s favored tactics will only make things worse. This is a credible argument. The idea that Trump somehow knows how to handle these kinds of protests is ludicrous. Hopefully the voting public will see it this way, but we’ll know for sure over the coming months. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/77 "2020-08-27T15:15:24Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > > > This is all happening under Trump’s watch. Trump’s policies are making these riots more likely. This is probably the argument the campaign will make if they continue. > > This would be akin to Republicans blaming Obama for the fact that global warming/climate change continued to worsen under his watch. It wouldn’t work because environmental voters recognize that Republicans are the more anti-environmental side. Except that Democratic policies would lessen climate change, while Trump’s policies _make the riots worse_. “Law and order” is just a slogan – Trump’s actions have demonstrated that he has no idea how to do anything but further inflame and encourage violence. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/78 "2020-08-27T15:22:22Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > If that’s all you are seeing, then that’s all you will see, as that is all you choose to see. Okay, then give me concrete examples of what he’s done/said besides that? I’m open to hearing it. Tell me how it is significantly more substantive than “violence is bad, m’kay?” Everything he’s said on the matter is painfully obvious, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/79 "2020-08-27T15:36:35Z")
I agree, but people don’t see it that way. And I know Trump is going to amplify this. This is no time for complacency. I am just hoping that the protests wind down as we move into the fall and the weather cools. I’m crossing my fingers that this is yesterday’s news by Election Day. There are, however, a couple of things that give me hope. This has really been a bad couple of weeks for conservatism. The senate report of Russia -Trump is Teflon on that but it does reflect badly on the party. Steve Bannon’s arrest. The NRA lawsuit. Falwell’s downfall, which is going to expose the financial abuses at Liberty. I’ve been teasing the QANON’s on Twitter that the Storm is Here, it’s just not the storm they wanted. But the modern conservative movement is being exposed as the fraud it is. 35% of the population won’t see or believe this, but it may have an effect on the 10-15% that haven’t totally drunk the Kool-Aid. And the second thing that gives me hope is that the billion dollar Trump campaign isn’t nearly as impressive as I thought it would be. My assessment is that these people are mostly concerned with pocketing as much money as possible and are spending very little on actual campaigning. And most of their advertising seems to be focused on conservative media aimed at the 35% of the people that are already sold. My theory is that they need some advertising to be visible to their donors simply so they don’t realize they are being scammed. So Assholes for Trump or some scammy PAC collects a million dollars to use towards Trumps re-election. Then they make some vicious “we own the libtards” ad and place it on conservative media outlets. Conservatives see it and think”my money was well spent”, not realizing that the PAC hired a production company owned by their cronies and paid them 500K for an ad worth 50K. If you are depressed and want to brighten your day a little -check out these two links. The NY Mag one may be paywalled but works in private mode. We can’t get complacent but the article is yummy. > **[The Chaotic, Desperate, Last-Minute Trump 2020 Reboot](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-reelection-campaign-2020.html)** > > Inside the most disorganized, unscrupulous, self-sabotaging presidential campaign since the last one. And this one details the financial shenanigans. It should be obvious. Manafort, Bannon, Parscale. Trump doesn’t hire campaign managers, he hires money launderers. > **[Win Or Lose, Trump’s Top Campaign Aides Are Raking In The Cash](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-consultants-rich-reelection-money_n_5eb1dae5c5b62b850f93abb3)** > > His campaign chief bought a waterfront house with a yearly tax bill higher than the average Floridian's annual income, a $400,000 boat, a Ferrari, condos and more. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092/80 "2020-08-27T16:06:01Z")
I’m wondering who the riots will persuade more. Hard to imagine the 30-40% who are Trumpists will change their minds, nor the 40+% who are strongly anti-Trump. So you’re talking about some 20-30% who are either undecided or persuadable. I can imagine someone who considers themself pretty much “in the middle” might decide that the riots suggest problems w/ excessive liberalism, and a need for continuance of a strong leader like Trump. But are there more of those sort of people, than folk who perceive the riots as resulting from the toxic environment Trump created/perpetuated, who become more convinced of the need to get rid of him and start making at least incremental progress on various fronts? I honestly do not know. Of course, I have a hard time figuring out (or respecting) anyone who does not have enough information at this point to have formed an opinion as to whether they are voting for Trump or Biden. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-seriously-worried-that-these-riots-are-going-to-get-trump-re-elected/919092.md?page=5)