Projection Politics

by digby

One of the more interesting rightwing characteristics is their penchant for psychologtical projection, which is defined as “a psychological defense mechanism where a person unconsciously denies their own attributes, thoughts, and emotions, which are then ascribed to the outside world, such as to the weather, or to other people. Thus, it involves imagining or projecting that others have those feelings.”

Now, I don’t know how much of this is real psychology and how much of it is ruthless strategy and how much is self-delusion, but it’s so common that I think of it as a defining feature of rightwing philosophy.

Here’s the latest example:

Republicans are working overtime to help companies move jobs offshore. At this point it’s what they mean by “creating jobs.” But they know that Americans are increasingly upset abou the practice, so they’re accusing Democrats of being the ones who are doing it. (It’s what I used to call “I know you are but what am I” politics.)

This is very confusing to voters and it puts the Democrats on the defensive, having to sputter and explain something that sounds too ridiculous to be true — namely that their opponent is projecting their own weaknesses on to them. It’s a form of “The Big Lie” which is very effective.

It’s a problem.