[jleask]

That the meaning of "Leave" was left so vague was with hindsight reckless. It allowed the leave campaign to bring together all the various differing factions as they could all believe it meant what they wanted it to mean. I can only assume the government was so confident it would win that it went for an option that gave the best soundbite and best opportunity to shut up the euro skeptics in the Conservative party.

[ricksplat]

Have a look at this https://dominiccummings.wordpress.com/2016/10/29/on-the-refe...

It makes for fascinating reading. It covers the data science angle of how the "Leave" campaign operated.

Basically yeah, they just figured out iteratively what a possible "Leave" constituency might want to hear and just fed it to them. Details shmetails.

By far the most illuminating piece I've read on the phenomenon and I think it goes some way towards explaining what's going on in the US right now ...

[makomk]

That's the usual modern approach to campaigning, and the one Clinton has been taking. Trump is of course too ill-disciplined and unreliable to manage this kind of clever political triangulation; he just seems to make stuff up. May the best liar win!

[ricksplat]

The beauty of trump is he has no encumbrances. He can literally say whatever he wants with no consequences. When his analysts tell him "this will really get the yokels going" he can just go ahead and say it. He doesn't have to worry about any spinning plates in the background.

But that's all he is. Just words and bluster. Hillary like her or loath her has substance.