I think there is a limit to the effect. If one is starting from Neutral persuasion is essential in negotiation. Especially rational persuasion. Starting at Hillary ain’t neutral. Smearing Trump down to Hillary has not worked. Lying polls that say it has does not help. This kind of persuasion becomes snake oil salesman at this level. Contempt is the only effect selling snake oil generate. People may still have a little respect for the snake but no sympathy at all for the salesman.
There certainly can be limits to the effect of persuasion... because we are bombarded with so much and people are skeptical.
However, I don’t think Hilary can pull of any of the Cialdini tactics at all... where are his 6 principles of influence and how Trump has undermined Hilary’s already limited ability to execute them.
1. Reciprocation.
This is the foundation of the Democrat machine... money for votes. However, Trump has undermined this in an amazing way by discussing broken promises to our vets and the unemployed in favor of foreign governments and ‘refugees’ who are happy to kill us... When Trump points out that Hilary has had 30 years in government and we still have all these problems it undermines her ability to demonstrate value worthy of reciprocation.
2. Social Proof
When Trump has 20,000 show up in Tampa... and Hillary doesn’t have 10% of that two days later... It’s massive social proof for Trump.
3. Commitment and Consistency
Trumps appeal to basically dramatically change politics as usual has the potential to resonate with anyone who has complained about Washington for the last 20 years... from Tea Party Activists to Independents who have just stayed home... It’s why Paul Ryan is massively unpopular with Republicans and Conservatives. If you can’t support your party’s nominee... but you can FUND Planned Parenthood... something isn’t consistent.
4. Liking
A lot of people have liked Donald Trump for a long time. People always liked Bill more than Hillary.
5. Authority
Hillary should have a huge advantage here... but when Trump opens a hotel in DC under budget and two years ahead of schedule it’s a big deal. Also... the fact that Hillary isn’t really hitting the trail undermines her authority as compared to Trump who is appearing in front of 50K people a day.
I think his Social Proof... overwhelms her past authority. You can’t pull rank if you don’t show up... also when you play the victim card in the debates claiming to be stalked or whatever... it undermines Hillary’s ability to play this card.
Scarcity
When people open their mail and see that ObamaCare is going to cost them an extra $4000-$8000... the promise to repeal it and by implication give people that money back is HUUUUGE. People care about having money taken from them... Trump might want to pitch ObamaCare as Hillary’s giant secret tax increase on everyone who works in the country.
All in all... Hillary doesn’t have any of the tools to execute Cialdini’s tactics.