Make no mistake there was an Obama hatefest led by Fox and Limbaugh. What it lacked was a candidate and so the racists just stayed home. After Obama was re-elected Republicans first decided they needed to stop being the Stupid Party, then decided a better strategy was to get even stupider and appeal to the missing white voter. Their prayers were answered with Trump, unintentionally I think, I don't think Trump ever wanted intended or expected to be president, I think it was a put-on publicity stunt. Unfortunately Democrats presented the "puncher" with a tailor made punching bag who thought she was royalty and didn't need to show up allowing Trump to run essentially unopposed.
You sound more in agreement with me than disagreement.
The point I have been (apparently) struggling to make is that a nation of 330mm doesn't suddenly transform as a result of an election. What Trump tapped into was already there; he didn't create anything; he only breathed life into it.
Those same elements were there when McCain ran, but McCain chose not to play to them (even though Palin was a bit of a wink and a nod). Similarly, Trump's election did not suddenly eliminate those Americans who find him disgusting. We simply lost an election, which, as you implied, could have been won.
Make no mistake there was an Obama hatefest led by Fox and Limbaugh. What it lacked was a candidate and so the racists just stayed home. After Obama was re-elected Republicans first decided they needed to stop being the Stupid Party, then decided a better strategy was to get even stupider and appeal to the missing white voter. Their prayers were answered with Trump, unintentionally I think, I don't think Trump ever wanted intended or expected to be president, I think it was a put-on publicity stunt. Unfortunately Democrats presented the "puncher" with a tailor made punching bag who thought she was royalty and didn't need to show up allowing Trump to run essentially unopposed.
You sound more in agreement with me than disagreement.
The point I have been (apparently) struggling to make is that a nation of 330mm doesn't suddenly transform as a result of an election. What Trump tapped into was already there; he didn't create anything; he only breathed life into it.
Those same elements were there when McCain ran, but McCain chose not to play to them (even though Palin was a bit of a wink and a nod). Similarly, Trump's election did not suddenly eliminate those Americans who find him disgusting. We simply lost an election, which, as you implied, could have been won.