Yeah, he would have to make sure NOT to run on freeing elves, but use other tactics. I happen to know a certain country where the people with less votes can win, so anything is possible. There are plenty of ways to win an election that do not require running on issues, the easiest way is just to trash the other people running.
Of course, convincing the population would be a huge step, and that is where media comes in, they need to make movies and T.V. shows about this stuff, and show people the other side, much like Lin's idea of showing people the desert elves, but with fictional characters, so there is no one at risk of getting killed. Art has always been a tool of progress, and making people think.
We need more elves in media, like actors, comedians, singers, comics, and so on.
Hahaha, Elfy Murphy, Elfin Maiden, The Blue Oyster Elf, Elf and Grace (could be about their half elf kid), Elf Paul - the human who 'cross-dresses' like an elf to do shows, that super hero team ...the Elvengers!, The Legion of Extraordinary Gentle-elves, that singing duo - Elfy and Cher, and ...so on.