It is a common political strategy. Once the focus of the people shifts from the alternatives inside to the enemies and dangers outside, your approval ratings ri

It is a common political strategy. Once the focus of the people shifts from the alternatives inside to the enemies and dangers outside, your approval ratings rise. Another pro is that you can assign blame when something bad happens as the public is already convinced of the common enemy. Horst Seehofer does the same in Germany's Texas, Bavaria.