I don't think I watched a single episode since this all began. They had wrestlemania and everything.

He ran on a bunch of very real divisions. The 2016 campaign was a referendum on the fundamental direction of the country, and Trump offered a vastly different vision than Hillary/the liberal mainstream. The final verdict was a split decision, so those divisions continued to deepen and fester.
But in the time of existential crisis, when a lot of people's health and livelihood are on the line, those topics temporarily take a backseat. They're not gone though, they will soon enough become salient again.

And yes, those who strongly supported Trump in 2016 will continue to support him now, will want him to be the one managing this new crisis. But there is also the set of reluctant Trump voters, those who were not thrilled or genuinely convinced by him, but considered him the lesser of two evils. Without those reluctant voters, he stands no chance - and the loyalty of this segment of voters is put in question by his lackluster handling of the corona crisis.

This post was edited by Black XistenZ on Apr 15 2020 08:11am

Trump barely won and didnt win the popular vote. 2016 was not a referendum on anything.

referendums and end result aren't connected in any way. something either is or isnt a referendum, regardless of how close or not close the end result is.

Effectively, it was. Just happened to yield an inconclusive outcome.

It wasn't a mandate or strong endorsement of leadership however.

100%. it highlighted polarity in america rather than giving a clear cohesive ask of the presidency. on the same token i wouldnt call HRC's vote total a mandate either, slight majority yes, but nothing she can legislate from in either house had she won. especially after midterms.



i'd say that depends on how you frame the referendum, it was a very conclusive result for rural america and disenfranchised out of work manufacturing sections. the shift there was very noteworthy, and damning for the left. something they've done next to nothing to correct since.

I remember driving through the country to go to the hospital I work and I remember thinking well you got your president.

nothin but trump flags, signs, and fireworks for a week after the election by me!

In my affluent and diverse neighborhood people were grieving. Applebee's culture is at its height lol.

This post was edited by Skinned on Apr 15 2020 08:56am