Hoping? He doesn't have to hope. There is a solid track record of this being a consistent and reliable tactic. Americans (low info voters) are gullible, pliable and are easily fooled and influenced.
That's true, Tenacious 1, but I have a hunch there's a limited supply of looter class members gullible enough to believe the feral government's lies. I think—and admittedly partly hope—it's easier to tell lies to people on the left side of the IQ bell curve than our side.
No doubt about that. But on most issues, the left side of the IQ bell curve has more participants than ours. At least on the gun issue, more Americans pay closer attention (I think). It's harder to lie to those who are passionate and informed about an issue.