Electoral legitimacy, rhetoric, and political persuasion

Disagreeing with an election result differs from claiming that fellow citizens were too ignorant or deceived to make a valid choice. The second form of rhetoric can undermine democratic legitimacy even when it is offered with good intentions. Claims about outside propaganda should also be kept in proportion because many voters hold durable priorities before a campaign begins. Political persuasion usually works on a relatively narrow group rather than remaking the entire electorate. Candidates who can explain what follows after a slogan offer more than a short catchphrase. Different voting priorities deserve respect, while political promises still need enough detail to be judged.