Shad Ledue’s response to the nomination gives Jessup (and the reader) a close-up look at the psychology of fascism—and particularly the unique way it would work in the U.S. Even though Windrip’s platform makes it impossible to discern his true goals and loyalties, Ledue is totally convinced that Windrip will personally look out for
him. In other words, Windrip deliberately tailors his message to appeal to arrogant, greedy, naive individualists like Ledue. Lewis suggests that, for better or worse, such people abound in the United States and would likely form the base for a fascist political movement.