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.
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.