Final answer:
The minister's friends provide an explanation for the events of Election Day that shifts the blame away from the minister and critiques the president's campaign tactics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The explanation made by the minister's friends to make him seem blameless in the events of Election Day could be that the president's appearances and statements did not provide any new information. Instead, the stories focused on the rigged audiences and carefully screened panellists, suggesting that the conversations were meticulously staged. This explanation aims to shift the blame away from the minister by highlighting the manipulation and lack of authenticity in the president's campaign.
For instance, the minister's friends might argue that the president operates in a permanent campaign mode, where the focus is on keeping supporters happy and convinced that their opinions are being heard. Even if the elected official's actions do not align with the popular polls, they can mollify everyone by offering explanations and justifications for their decisions. This narrative aims to portray the minister as someone who is truly listening to the concerns of the people, even if their actions may not always reflect it.
Overall, the friends of the minister seek to create a narrative that distances him from any blame and highlights the façade and manipulation employed by the president in order to maintain a positive public image.