How Would You "sell" A major war to the American public?

Say you were the president of the U.S. (or running for the office) and you wanted the American people to support a major war. How would you sell it to Americans? Note when I say "major war" I mean just that with at minimum hundreds of thousands of American deaths and costing trillions.

Note the following:

1) There is not any overt attack on the U.S. that can justify the war.
2) You cannot lie outright to justify the war.

 

If it's needed, it shouldn't have to be sold.

 

I would say, "We have been attacked on our soil, we must respond with all our might and be victorious in as short a time as possible."

 

you sell it with fear "They'll end up on our shores next"

 

With whatever evidence it was that convinced me to support the war. I cannot imagine any evidence that would motivate me that would have to remain hidden from the people I wanted to motivate.

 

Do what Bush did in 2001 and 2003.

 

Who do you fear more, the American government or any foreign government? For a growing proportion of Americans (more than 25%) the greatest enemy is the government. It is a very real fear... perhaps as great as the fear that most of us used to have about the USSR.

https://www.statesman.com/story/new...ederal-government-as-their-enemy/10097098007/

We are in unprecedented territory. I am not sure the federal government could get enough young Americans to fight against a country like China. Why would they if they consider their own government as a bigger threat to them than China?

 

Exactly. That's why I think the anti-American rhetoric of the left is so dangerous.
At this point in time I fear our own government the most. They are the ones that can send swat teams to my house for being republican. Its already been done to people just for being pro-life.
Although, in the back of my mind, I am very concerned about china/russia

 

Once again you must "sell" the war WITHOUT lying.

 

If I said it then it would be the truth and happening. I would not try to sell our involvement in a major war in another country.

 

Why not?

 

It would be interesting to see how much support they got when trying to start a war if they stated it was to maintain America's dominant position in the world and stop the rise of foreign economic competition. Spreading fears of falling into being a poor country while another country (maybe China) becomes the wealthy world superpower. With no reference to that other country invading or attacking America militarily.

I bet they could get a lot more support that way than most would admit.

 

Three reasons -- Korea, Viet Nam, and Afghanistan.

 

U.S. intervention those three areas was fully justified.

 

The US interference with and invasion of Vietnam was justified?? That must take a lot of US propaganda to believe.

 

The U.S. never invaded North Vietnam

 

I’d apply enough pressure on whatever enemy it is I’m happy with fighting until they either give me what I want or lash out, at which point I use the lashing out as the political capital I need to justify a war which I can either sell as a fight for our lives or alternatively the Putin approach of this is no big deal it’ll be over shortly. Either way, it’s begun and no turning back so I win. Woo hoo!

 

Before knowing how to sell it, I would first need to know why we need it.

 

To clarify somewhat.

How do you think Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea would react if an American president took office promoting this idea?

 

I haven't seen any need to sell a war for several decades. Why would they need to start now?

 

Your opinion. I disagree.

 

Have you ever advocated any American war? If not why not?

 

Unless another Pearl Harbour on us or our direct allies...no. There is no point to war.

 

You do know that from the Japanese perspective the attack on Pearl Harbor was more than justified.

 

I would not even try to justify such a war and would limit myself to advice, data and aid unless:

There was a major overt attack against someone we have a mutual defense treaty (NATO or NORAD)
There were nuclear attacks against an ally