More and more I suspect that this was political theater, and if it was, it worked far better than he likely imagined.
To start with, it cemented his base with a clear contrast between “us and them”. Held deep in “enemy territory”, it was guaranteed that every radical would attend and show themselves as the crude, repugnant, tyrannical anti-Americans they are.
While both sides clearly wanted to brawl, by canceling he showed wisdom to not bring about the chaos that would be blamed on him.
Afterwards, noting that many of the radical agitators were carrying Sanders signs, he called on Sanders to remonstrate with his followers to be non-violent. Sanders did not reply, something that could be thrown in his face in future.
Then, perhaps the best of all, his Republican opponents all came out and blamed it on him, demanding that he “tone down” his campaign, and essentially, to “lie” like they do to prevent hurt feelings among bad people.
What a gift. If it was political theater, he deserves several Tony awards. Otherwise, he was insanely lucky.
Then, perhaps the best of all, his Republican opponents all came out and blamed it on him
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The Trump candidacy has thoroughly exposed the GOPe for what it is. Yes, lots of people had already figured them out but many others still labored under the illusion that the party was conservative. That mask has been removed.
I personally don’t believe that the GOP can ever be reformed. The culture of weakness, corruption and deceit is just too deeply ingraining in the party’s DNA to ever change. Its a lost cause. The sooner we grasp that reality the better.
‘Otherwise, he was insanely lucky.’
I think he simply adopted an overall strategy. Bring on the flak, and if you survive then you become the leader, the battleship which everyone rallies to [other than partizan faithfuls].