It’s George Wallace versus Richard Nixon. One was about as blatantly racist as any presidential candidate since Reconstruction. He lost. Richard Nixon wasn’t much better but he understood how to appeal to out and out racists as well as people who wouldn’t openly espouse such views but who nonetheless subscribed to them privately.
You can say that Trump is an idiot and an incompetent but that line of thought being held by his opponents has already resulted in him being elected once.
Nixon shocked people partly because he was exposed as so calculating. But I’m sure that’s a niave reaction. All recent presidents have been highly calculating. I can’t assume Trump hasn’t been.
Nixon was more exceptional for his ruthless/unethical actions (and getting caught) afaik.
It’s George Wallace versus Richard Nixon. One was about as blatantly racist as any presidential candidate since Reconstruction. He lost. Richard Nixon wasn’t much better but he understood how to appeal to out and out racists as well as people who wouldn’t openly espouse such views but who nonetheless subscribed to them privately.
You can say that Trump is an idiot and an incompetent but that line of thought being held by his opponents has already resulted in him being elected once.