Trump actually uses Saul Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals" very effectively
It is funny how Alinsky is painted as the tool of Lucifer by Ben Carson, as he tries to imply Hillary is in league with the devil due to her thesis on his writings in college. If you look at the actual Rules for Radicals book, however, it is quite clear that the Trump campaign has been following several of these rules to great effect.
For example:
1. “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from two main sources – money and people.
2. “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating.
3. “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.
4. “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.
5. “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.
6. “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.
7. “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.
