Clinton likes to quote Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high.” It’s not always true either for the Obamas or for Clinton (who sure has thrown her punches in this race), but it is the sort of thing presidents like to say. It is an attempt to convey largeness of spirit, if not moral superiority.

Ironically, a standard positive closing ad pledging to bring people together, lift everyone up and give everybody a place (pick your favorite platitude) is inescapably a negative ad against Trump in this bizarre election. He is now so identified with divisiveness, racism, misogyny, xenophobia and alienation that a unifying message winds up highlighting how odious he is.

AD

AD

The kaleidoscope of races, genders and ethnicities now common in positive ad-making likewise seems inherently anti-Trump. That’s because virtually his entire campaign, sadly, has been built on white anger and painting everyone else as “the other.” Trump reduces every ethnic group to a stereotype — “the blacks” or “the Hispanics” — and perpetuates the lie that nonwhites all live in squalor, in crime-infested cities and without hope. The portrayal of middle-class minorities living in happy, safe homes contradicts his twisted view of nonwhite Americans.

Trump is so aggressive, disruptive and unhinged that it is hard to maintain a sunny demeanor in his presence. Nevertheless, expect Clinton to try tonight. She wants to give one more nudge to voters who never imagined voting for her. She wants to encourage infrequent voters, especially millennials, to turn out.

Moreover, as Clinton begins the transition from candidate to president-elect to president, she is going to need the goodwill and support of the American people in order to enact her agenda. She frequently points out that she will be the president of all Americans, even those who did not vote for her. That’s a simple statement of fact, but it is also a plea to give her the chance to succeed. Don’t expect much of a “honeymoon” from Republicans, but Clinton will want to ease into the job with high approval ratings, if only to give Republicans pause about embarking on a strategy of obstructionism.

AD

AD