Although most people will go great lengths to avoid confrontation, I think most Americans are intrinsically defiant to be manipulated, and there is no threat of confrontation inside the voting booth.
These threats are very thinly veiled. Count on a backlash.
Also
I've always found it interesting that Ted Levine has still managed a very good career after playing that role, whereas the guy who played Scorpio in Dirty Harry was ruined.