Most of them had, among all the factors in the campaign, noticed only what they regarded as Windrip's humor, and three planks in his platform: Five, which promised to increase taxes on the rich; Ten, which condemned the Negroes-since nothing so elevates a dispossessed farmer or a factory worker on relief as to have some race, any race, on which he can look down; and
In Sinclair Lewis's "It Can't Happen Here," many supporters of Windrip focus primarily on his humor and a few key points in his political platform. They tend to overlook the broader implications of his campaign and instead latch onto elements that resonate with their immediate frustrations and prejudices. This selective attention reveals their desire for a scapegoat rather than a comprehensive understanding of policy.
Among Windrip's platform planks, he makes a promise to raise taxes on the wealthy and promotes a narrative condemning Black Americans. This tactic serves to elevate the status of discontented voters, particularly farmers and factory workers relying on relief. By providing a target for their frustrations, Windrip effectively gains their support while distracting them from more nuanced issues at play in the political landscape.
