Page "Silent majority" Paragraph 14

Nixon's use of the phrase was part of his strategy to divide Americans, to polarize them into two groups.

The " silent majority " shared Nixon's anxieties and fears that normalcy was being eroded by changes in society.

The other group was composed of intellectuals, cosmopolitans, professionals and liberals — those willing to " live and let live ".

Both groups saw themselves as the higher patriots.

Nixon's polarization survives today in American politics.

According to Republican pollster Frank Luntz, " silent majority " is but one of many labels which have been applied to the same group of voters.

According to him, past labels used by the media include " silent majority " in the 1960s, " forgotten middle class " in the 1970s, " angry white males " in the 1980s, " soccer moms " in the 1990s, and " NASCAR dads " in the 2000s ( decade ).