Retaliation against liberals may be what ends up getting President Trump re-elected. That's Gerard Alexander's take for the New York Times, in which he notes liberals are inspirational in their idealism and smart—but "not as smart and persuasive as they think." Alexander warns that liberals, ensconced in what he says are positions of power in entertainment, media, and higher ed, may not realize "how provocative and inflammatory" they are with their progressive beliefs, and that they may be pushing away as many people as they're attracting. Although liberals may (rightfully) be more on top of pushing narratives on such topics as racism and sexism into wider view, Alexander argues they may be forcing others to adapt too quickly. "Some liberals have gotten far out ahead of their fellow Americans but are nonetheless quick to criticize those who haven’t caught up with them," he notes.
Alexander concedes that Trump himself doesn't make the situation any easier with his "derogatory" and "vulgar" remarks, but he stresses that labeling everyone who supports Trump as racist, for example, is self-defeating. In fact, there may be people who "might be open to reconsidering ways they have done things for years, but who are likely to be put off if they feel smeared before that conversation even takes place." What liberals can do to help stave off a Trump win in 2020, which Alexander thinks is entirely possible: Stop being so self-righteous. "Without sacrificing their principles, liberals can come across as more respectful of others," he writes. "Self-righteousness is rarely attractive, and even more rarely rewarded." Click for Alexander's full column. (More liberals stories.)
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