This may seem callous, but the current Republican politicians' main tactic to drive voter turnout is fear of the Other. That Other could be the#blacklivesmatter activist or a transgender woman who needs to pee. That Other could be a Syrian refugee. It doesn't matter. These are People To Fear if you are amongst the class of people who live in fear of people who are not like you.
Their message is "Be Scared!"
They have been using this message for a very long time and they wouldn't keep using it if it didn't work. The politicians most likely don't believe in the rhetoric they are using, but they know it works, so they keep on using it. They also work to keep their constituents ignorant (through lack of proper education and unbiased media) because the easiest way to engender fear is through active suppression of rational thought.
Fear can argue with facts. Fear suppresses logic. Fear is the enemy.
I think I'm going to start teaching the Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear:
"I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
My students will have to memorize this. It works for actors and humans alike. We should all say it daily.