We are really threading a needle in this country...

[PCIntern]

In the corners of the republican boxing ring, we have in this corner, a criminal of international proportions, who spews a volcano of lies at every opportunity, enriches himself in every way possible, and undermines the mechanisms of democracy in ways that were inconceivable just 10 years ago. Along with his other demerits, including his ignorance and stupidity, but allowing for his broadcast charisma, he is a terribly, horribly disruptive danger to the very fabric of America.

And in this corner, we have an outright fascist, who is attempting to repress and destroy everything which we who are moral and righteous have worked, fought, and died for since the Civil War. This individual has what might be termed, “a superior education”, which in his case is a load of books on the back of an ass, and although he lacks a certain political appeal to many, his message, which is clear and carefully researched, seems to resonate with a great many of the people who will be voting in the primary.

Hoping that the latter is destroyed by the former is an even worse scenario than the old “dog chases car“ result. Either one on the ballot in November of next year potentially could spell doom for our constitutional government and although mistakes were made last time this was tried, I believe they have learned from these errors, and we are at even greater risk this time.

Amusingly and rightfully, everyone is awaiting Trump’s evisceration of DeSantis and the sideshow, while very entertaining I’m certain, will normalize Trump once again, and despite the indictments which are certainly coming, will cause him to be the focus of More and more media attention if that’s possible, and we know what they say about bad publicity. Apparently, there is no longer any such thing. This guy has become a folk hero in America, and is the reverse Robin Hood, stealing from the poor and giving to the rich , but that seems to be just OK these days. Sports, gambling, and stadium entertainment, including music has taken over popular culture and we seek stars and celebrities the way a parched man in the desert seeks water. People are naturally drawn to the shining light which in this case is a beacon for hate.

I just hope and pray that our candidate is not overshadowed by this Gladiator fight to the death and we become also-rans. I am willing to bet that if an analysis were completed of the number of times and length of broadcast Trump and DeSantis are mentioned in any given news venue, it would far outweigh the mentions of President Biden, who has stabilized the country and returned us to a variant of normalcy. It’s been billions of dollars of free advertising for the Republicans, no matter what their screwup’s are. It’s just like the coverage of the empty podium back in 2016 where in the announcers talked for what seemed like hours about Trump before he would arrive to speak. Here we go again, I guess…

It’s gonna be a long hard road to Tipperary….

[58Sunliner]

1. K and R.

[niyad]

2. I agree with everything you said, except for the "broadcast charisma" bit.

He gives me the creeps every time I see or hear him, and that was true long before the escalator ride.

[PCIntern]

3. Understood but 40+ % of the country apparently disagrees

[niyad]

4. And that just blows my mind. I cannot imagine the mindset tthat finds the

orange thing appealing.

[FalloutShelter]

5. I don't get it either.

Mind blown.

[dchill]

7. He seems to bring out the ugly that apparently...

...wants to be set free in many "patriots." I think it's a matter of the subconscious asking itself, "am I a vile racist?" And answering itself, "Hell yeah!"

[jaxexpat]

8. Yeah, you'd think that since so many of the ringleaders...

of a violent insurrection have been jailed, people would see through their farce.

Oh, that's right, none of the ring leaders have been jailed. That would unfairly impact their campaigns and cause the DOJ to actually work for justice when and where it really matters.

[luvallpeeps]

9. Fox!

They’ve listened to the *all fear all the time* show. They are so afraid of black and brown people that they heeded Trump’s dog whistles. I think those think tanks and so on, found the combination to get voters who would normally be appalled by trunt fall right in line. The rust belters who think foreigners took their jobs, the suburban moms who saw the blm protests and recoiled. The fear mongering was so nonstop, it’s no wonder! Racism! I work with a woman who said the people of Flint Michigan, whose water was poisoned, deserved it because they “sit on their porches, and don’t work”! I was so gobsmacked it melted my brain. They finally have their champion! A man who will NEVER admit he’s wrong, and has no shame whatsoever. He made it okay to be a bigot and a moron. Trump murdered their better angels. On 5th ave. I saw the whole thing.

[PortTack]

10. The % of ppl that support tfg is 30% of the gqp. Those that ID as gqp is approx 30% of voters

So approx 10% of voters

Despite his difficulties since he left office, about a third of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters still consider themselves supporters more of Trump than the Republican Party, according to a recent NBC News poll.

[PCIntern]

12. I heard similarly in 2016.

“ Who’s going to vote for this asshole?“

[PortTack]

13. Really good question...the hard core aging republicans, other than that I don't know

[wiggs]

6. How stupid is it that a country on top of the world in many ways, a superpower, starts

to radically change the political, social, and economic climate that got it there in the first place? Nowhere to go but down?

If you're way ahead in a race, you don't suddenly change strategies...

If you're an elite pianist you don't take up juggling chainsaws...

If you're a a beacon of democracy you don't embrace propaganda, voter suppression, facists, scotus and lawmaker bribes, inequality, polarization, ignorance, and slavery in all its forms.

[hay rick]

11. I often think that American democracy is too difficult to maintain for the current crop of Americans

A criminal traitor vying with a sadistic, humorless fascist is "must see TV"? I have been fighting these assholes for most of my adult life but have entirely lost any sympathy for the nice people sitting on the sidelines and eating popcorn. Maybe upsetting their comfortable lives is necessary and good in the long run.