This tactic is most obviously in use in the US, where the right has so complete a control of the major media that even otherwise obvious political disasters can be swept under the rug. But I have no doubt that the right in Europe is getting away with saying things to select audiences of extremists that the left would never, ever get away with saying to "our" "extremists."

The major problem with this isn't so much that the right says extremist things to extremist people, at least if that were all that happened. The problem is that by saying those things, the wingnut politicians can establish their credentials with those groups, and draw on them for support both with organisation and at the ballot box. And, of course, that their ability to get away with saying outrageous things means that they can more easily support and promote politicians who believe outrageous things, because a Freudian slip is a lot less likely to come home to roost later.

- Jake

Ceterum censeo Chicago esse delendam