Question

In The Distinguished Gentleman, Eddie Murphy plays a con man with a similar name

as a long-running Congressman. When the politician dies, Murphy runs for office
using the politician's name: Jeff Johnson. He's careful not to go on camera but uses
taglines in commercials such as "Johnson: The name you trust." He eventually
achieves a slim victory. How does Murphy's character use voter ignorance to win the
election? (Hint: The answer is only slightly different than the way most politicians use
voter ignorance to win elections.)

Answer 1

In The Distinguished Gentleman, Eddie Murphy's character uses voter ignorance to win the election by pretending to be the deceased Congressman whose name he is using. By not revealing his true identity and instead using the trusted name of the deceased Congressman, Murphy's character is able to gain the voters' trust and ultimately achieve a slim victory in the election. This is similar to the way most politicians use voter ignorance to win elections, by presenting themselves in a way that appeals to voters and plays on their lack of knowledge about the candidate and their policies.