None of the neoliberals wanted to “use overt fascism” as a threat of anything. They just want to sit back and get paid, and don’t really care, most of their campaign materials (according to the super-experts in this comments section at least) are trying to imitate the fascists. None of their campaign materials or public statements even seemed to recognize that fascism was something at all dangerous in any way.

The thing of “oh isn’t it convenient that I have to vote for the non fascist if I don’t want fascism, well fuck you I think you’re trying to trick me” is a super popular and very effective propaganda thing designed to trick people into letting the fascists come to power, though. The overall pitch is to make it sound like “it is urgent not to let fascists come to power” is some kind of clever ruse, and can be discounted.