1. “Backlash” is one of those words typically reserved for a specific context. As in: the fight for equality and civil rights sparked a white backlash in the 1960s that defined politics for a generation. But there’s another way of looking at it.
2. Backlash is about minorities and majorities. Fact is, liberal activists in the 1960s were a minority, and their victories in the US Supreme Court were out of step with the preferences of a majority of Americans,
3. which is to say the majority of Americans was too racist to stomach Brown v. the Board of Education & equal rights. When Richard Nixon campaigned on the idea of a “silent majority” ready to restore law & order, he was highlighting the contrast b/w minority & majority opinion.
4. Today’s Republicans have said the fight over Brett Kavanaugh will spark a backlash against the Democrats, thus saving the Senate. But that would require a majority of Americans to think Kavanaugh should have been confirmed. That is not the case.
5. Bloomberg reported Tuesday a new poll showing the “Kavanaugh bump” Mitch McConnell predicted isn’t showing up. The poll shows a continuation of prevailing trends:
6. voters still favor the Democrats, Democratic intensity outstrips Republicans’ and women are powering Democratic advantage by a 30-point margin. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
7. That’s a real silent majority.
That’s a real backlash.
That’s a real backlash.
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