I’ll protect you

Donald Trump has a new ad out. The tag line is, “Donald Trump will protect you. He is the only one who can.”

My reaction: Seriously, dude? You can make sure terrorists don’t strike anything American? You can make those black neighborhoods, the ones you say are awful, into safe places for all? You can solve the issue of police violence against black people? And you can do all that with your intimidation and Clinton can’t with her diplomacy? Sure, you can. You’re nothing but a braggart with a huge podium.

Of course, I’m a guy and this is likely a typical guy reaction.

Melissa McEwen of Shakesville says the reaction from women is quite different:

Literally every time a man has promised to protect me, in my entire life, the person from whom I needed protection was him.

She adds:

Any man who has put himself in the role of my "protector" (which has always been unsolicited) has inevitably distorted that "protection" into the exertion of control. Because, ultimately, I had to be "protected" from myself. As much as, if not more than, anyone else.
…
"I'm the only one who can protect you" is not an offer of safety. It's a threat of control.

A response from the commenters:

“Combination cult leader and abusive male partner in a relationship.”

This offer of “protection” is only one aspect of Trump’s misogyny that have turned women against him. Another is last weekend’s tapes in which Trump glories in sexual assault. And there are many more.

These kinds of stories prompted Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight to create a pair of maps. One projects the outcome of this election if only men were allowed to vote. Trump wins the Electoral College 350/188. The other shows the outcome if only women were allowed to vote. In this one Clinton wins 458/80. Even Texas is in Hillary’s column. There are a few people who quibble over Silver’s methodology. Even if somewhat inaccurate, the two images are striking and show it is women who will defeat Trump.