Trump could win White House with the help of an ‘October Surprise’ — a last minute event, revelation to turn election on its head
ADAM EDELMAN
NYDailyNews.com
September 4, 2016
In a race that’s already been full of shockers, the biggest one of them all might be if Donald Trump won the White House.
But, in all likelihood, one of the few ways that could actually come to pass would be with the help of a convenient “October Surprise” — a last-minute incident or revelation that can turn on election on its head — or two.
A true “October Surprise,” presidential historians agree, must be deliberately timed to influence the outcome of a race. But many other uncontrollable events, like terror attacks and natural disasters, are often grouped into the category due to the profound and unexpected impact they, too, can have on politics.
This year, with national security a prominent issue in the race, terrorism could have an especially large effect on the outcome of the race. And if tragedy were to strike in the late autumn, the result could end up being a surge in support for Trump, who currently trails Clinton in nearly all national and swing-state polls.
“Crisis accrues to the benefit of the strongman. This has always been true in every Western society going all the back to the Roman Empire,” GOP strategist Bradley Todd told the Daily News. “Trump would be no exception.”
“Historically, unforeseen events in national security and foreign policy arenas shift the political landscape to the Republican nominee,” Democratic political strategist Chris Talbot added.
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