Thread

“Everyone knows my father, but my daughters, my wife and my mother made me the way I am.” Most commentary since Sunday has focused on Lula’s shortcomings, but Flávio also ran a good campaign. The quote above, from his 1st campaign TV ad (images attached), tried to show a softer, more moderate side and gain support among women, which his dad lost by 10+ points in 2022. Jair’s campaigns were marked by CONSTANT provocations and gaffes — but Flávio’s was quiet and frankly almost news-free in the final weeks, giving conservatives who disliked the Bolsonaros the space to come on board — in an election characterized by “apathetic polarization” as I’ve already said. Lula will now try to redefine him in the 3-week runoff with different images — more associated with Jair, organized crime in Rio, the Banco Master scandal, etc. But in the absence of big new revelations, it feels too late.