ideologyhunter
Contributor
I don't think you're wrong, but the kind of voters who crossed over for T in '16 are going to be harder to find. He was going to get the angry white folk in '16 without trying. But I would hear people in coffee shops being swayed by some of the things he was ranting about onstage. I'd hear, "You know, it really is too easy to get into this country. He's right!" Or, "There has to be a way to get more things made in this country. He cares about that." Or, "We need someone who understands business in the WH." He got enough of those voters to carve out his electoral win. If the GOP bears down hard on The Big Steal as a theme, they won't bring many of these voters back for a second spin. Only the true believers, the 33%, IMO, looked at Trumpisms like his traitorous Helsinki appearance and the business about putting light and disinfectants into the body, and didn't see how venomous he is. Also, many more Americans know what a complete liar he is, than was the case 5 years back.
Also, consider how potent an issue Jan. 6 could be, if handled right -- Trumpists have blood on their hands. That should be a breaking point for thoughtful independents. The ones who were persuaded in '16 that Hillary's emails had harmed the country (they didn't) won't be easily led by a party that downplays the horror and degradation of what Trump's mob did.
