In some ways, not much has changed since then. Reagan started his presidential campaign in an openly racist area of Mississippi with his State’s Rights speech and the footage of the event looks a lot like a Trump rally.
I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind, but it could affect who shows up to vote.
On the plus side, increases in turnout generally favour the Democrats (which is why voter suppression by the Republican party is a thing). You’d think that would apply differently here given the context, but maybe the general population will start seeing the election with the seriousness it deserves.
I could see someone saying “well I don’t really agree with Trump’s extremism but at least Trump supporters haven’t tried to kill Biden so maybe the left is the problem”. It’s not as easy to wave his fearmongering ravings about the left off as conspiracy theories–someone on the left (I assume) actually tried to kill him. He’s a martyr now.
I really truly want to hope that you’re right but damn if this doesn’t make me super pessimistic about Biden’s already shaky support.
Eh, the people who will see this as a reason to vote for him were planning to do so already.
I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind, but it could affect who shows up to vote.
Yup. After Reagan was shot there was a shit ton of sympathy surrounding him (and Brady, who ended up in a wheelchair).
e to add – that was 43 years ago. O.O
In some ways, not much has changed since then. Reagan started his presidential campaign in an openly racist area of Mississippi with his State’s Rights speech and the footage of the event looks a lot like a Trump rally.
Reagan and the Moral Majority. Good times.
/s
On the plus side, increases in turnout generally favour the Democrats (which is why voter suppression by the Republican party is a thing). You’d think that would apply differently here given the context, but maybe the general population will start seeing the election with the seriousness it deserves.
I could see someone saying “well I don’t really agree with Trump’s extremism but at least Trump supporters haven’t tried to kill Biden so maybe the left is the problem”. It’s not as easy to wave his fearmongering ravings about the left off as conspiracy theories–someone on the left (I assume) actually tried to kill him. He’s a martyr now.
I really truly want to hope that you’re right but damn if this doesn’t make me super pessimistic about Biden’s already shaky support.