The brilliant Michael Anton's Flight 93 Election essay changed the course of the 2016 election
And this is why the deep state fears him
He understands how they think. THREAD:
And this is why the deep state fears him
He understands how they think. THREAD:
In the lead-up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Michael Anton, under the pseudonym Publius Decius Mus, penned an essay titled "The Flight 93 Election." Published in the Claremont Review of Books, this piece not only articulated a stark perspective on the political landscape but arguably influenced the trajectory of the election itself.
He likened the choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton to that faced by the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. This is the same, even moreso, for Kamala Harris. The passengers, realizing their plane had been hijacked and was likely headed towards a catastrophic target, decided to "charge the cockpit or die." Anton argued that America, under the threat of progressive policies and a Clinton presidency, was in a similar existential crisis.
He likened the choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton to that faced by the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. This is the same, even moreso, for Kamala Harris. The passengers, realizing their plane had been hijacked and was likely headed towards a catastrophic target, decided to "charge the cockpit or die." Anton argued that America, under the threat of progressive policies and a Clinton presidency, was in a similar existential crisis.
Here’s how Anton’s essay impacted the 2016 election:
Anton's essay framed the election not as a typical political contest but as a do-or-die moment for conservative values. This resonated with many voters who felt that the traditional conservative establishment was out of touch with their concerns, particularly regarding immigration, trade, and cultural changes. His piece suggested that supporting Trump, despite his flaws, was a necessary gamble to prevent the country from veering leftwards into what he described as "permanent progressive tyranny."
At a time when many in the right were either skeptical or outright opposed to Trump, Anton provided a philosophical and strategic argument for why Trump was necessary. This was particularly significant in conservative circles where Trump's candidacy was initially viewed with disdain or confusion. By framing Trump as a flawed but essential figure to "charge the cockpit," Anton gave those conservatives a way to rationalize their support.
The essay became a rallying cry for Trump supporters, especially after Rush Limbaugh read significant portions of it on his widely followed radio show. This exposure helped the essay reach beyond the usual confines of political commentary into mainstream conservative thought. It galvanized a segment of the electorate that felt the urgency of Anton’s narrative, pushing them to see Trump not just as a candidate, but as a last resort to save the republic.
"The Flight 93 Election" shifted the discourse around Trump, moving from discussions of his suitability as a candidate to the existential stakes of the election. It contributed to a narrative where the potential consequences of a Clinton presidency were depicted as so severe that they justified the "risks" associated with Trump.
Even beyond 2016, Anton’s essay has remained influential. It has been referenced in discussions about the state of American politics, the role of conservatism, and the dynamics of American elections. His work continues to be a touchstone for debates about the direction of the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement, illustrating the ongoing impact of his initial intervention.
Michael Anton's "Flight 93 Election" essay did not just reflect the mood of a segment of the electorate; it shaped it by providing a narrative that many voters adopted to make sense of their decision to support Donald Trump. While controversial and criticized by some for its hyperbolic tone and implications, there's no denying its role in crystallizing the fears, hopes, and motivations of Trump's voter base in 2016, thereby changing the course of that election in ways that continue to be felt in American politics today
Anton's essay framed the election not as a typical political contest but as a do-or-die moment for conservative values. This resonated with many voters who felt that the traditional conservative establishment was out of touch with their concerns, particularly regarding immigration, trade, and cultural changes. His piece suggested that supporting Trump, despite his flaws, was a necessary gamble to prevent the country from veering leftwards into what he described as "permanent progressive tyranny."
At a time when many in the right were either skeptical or outright opposed to Trump, Anton provided a philosophical and strategic argument for why Trump was necessary. This was particularly significant in conservative circles where Trump's candidacy was initially viewed with disdain or confusion. By framing Trump as a flawed but essential figure to "charge the cockpit," Anton gave those conservatives a way to rationalize their support.
The essay became a rallying cry for Trump supporters, especially after Rush Limbaugh read significant portions of it on his widely followed radio show. This exposure helped the essay reach beyond the usual confines of political commentary into mainstream conservative thought. It galvanized a segment of the electorate that felt the urgency of Anton’s narrative, pushing them to see Trump not just as a candidate, but as a last resort to save the republic.
"The Flight 93 Election" shifted the discourse around Trump, moving from discussions of his suitability as a candidate to the existential stakes of the election. It contributed to a narrative where the potential consequences of a Clinton presidency were depicted as so severe that they justified the "risks" associated with Trump.
Even beyond 2016, Anton’s essay has remained influential. It has been referenced in discussions about the state of American politics, the role of conservatism, and the dynamics of American elections. His work continues to be a touchstone for debates about the direction of the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement, illustrating the ongoing impact of his initial intervention.
Michael Anton's "Flight 93 Election" essay did not just reflect the mood of a segment of the electorate; it shaped it by providing a narrative that many voters adopted to make sense of their decision to support Donald Trump. While controversial and criticized by some for its hyperbolic tone and implications, there's no denying its role in crystallizing the fears, hopes, and motivations of Trump's voter base in 2016, thereby changing the course of that election in ways that continue to be felt in American politics today
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