2024 Presidential Election Thread

[PaloAltoCougar]

Did Biden really say "it's time to put Trump in the bullseye" just four days ago? If so, the timing of that statement is just really, really bad for Biden (even though he should have never said it to begin with).

Reminds me of Sarah Palin who posted a graphic of congressional districts they were targeting in the next election. Crosshairs were superimposed over the districts, one of which was Gabby Giffords', who was shot and nearly killed shortly after that. I don't think she or Biden wanted actual violence, but for even only a few loonies out there the rhetoric is arguably motivating.

[USUC]

Reminds me of Sarah Palin who posted a graphic of congressional districts they were targeting in the next election. Crosshairs were superimposed over the districts, one of which was Gabby Giffords', who was shot and nearly killed shortly after that. I don't think she or Biden wanted actual violence, but for even only a few loonies out there the rhetoric is arguably motivating.

I've seen a lot of references to the Giffords shooting over the past 12 hours, but that was not a political killing. The shooter was not political, was certainly not right wing, and no political motivations were found. He was a diagnosed schizophrenic with substance abuse problems and misogynistic beliefs. Palin's comments had no impact on his decision.

My gut tells me this shooter will have mental health issues as well.

[All-American]

When I learned the details, I thought the same thing. But if it was an AR, he was probably an amateur. Not the best choice of weapons--likely what he had available and familiar with.

Also, Trump has just moved his head. If that same shot were fired less than a second earlier it would have been more than his ear that got hit.

[USUC]

I might have thought he was more badass had he not been worrying about his shoes at the podium.

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I don't necessarily think his reaction was "badass," but I think having him give the thumbs up to let everyone know he was OK saved the country from a lot of rhetoric, panic, uncertainty, and perhaps even impulsive actions.

[Jeff Lebowski]

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I don't necessarily think his reaction was "badass," but I think having him give the thumbs up to let everyone know he was OK saved the country from a lot of rhetoric, panic, uncertainty, and perhaps even impulsive actions.

Exactly. That crowd loves him and he loves them. Giving them a signal he is OK is a perfectly normal and rational response.

[PaloAltoCougar]

...
I don't necessarily think his reaction was "badass," but I think having him give the thumbs up to let everyone know he was OK saved the country from a lot of rhetoric, panic, uncertainty, and perhaps even impulsive actions.

My default reaction to anything Trump does has, admittedly, always been negative, and I feel that way about his reaction after the shooting. A mere "thumbs up" would have been fine, welcome even, but his adrenaline-fueled fist pumping and multiple shouts of "fight!" (ever the showman) reflect Trump's lifelong worldview: that every business or political situation is us vs. them, and there can only be.a winner and a loser. Whenever he is attacked or challenged, his response is always to hit back harder and to crush his opposition. His favorite scripture is "an eye for an eye."

I would be very happy, and very surprised, if he comes out of this terrible incident a changed man and seeks conciliation and unity. I hope he takes to heart Melania's very thoughtful and uplifting challenge that we "ascend above the hate, the vitriol , and the simple-mind ideas that ignite violence." But there is nothing in Donald Trump's life to this point that suggests he'll do so. I'd love to be proven wrong.

[Northwestcoug]

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I don't necessarily think his reaction was "badass," but I think having him give the thumbs up to let everyone know he was OK saved the country from a lot of rhetoric, panic, uncertainty, and perhaps even impulsive actions.

a thumbs up would have been fine. Fist in the air, yelling ‘fight! fight!’ to that crowd is a different thing.

Edit: PAC said it better.

[frank ryan]

I have to wonder about trump’s reaction… did he not realize how close he came to death? He seemed to be more worried about his shoe (that came off?) than his own life.

I think part of that is kind of like shock.

[myboynoah]

My gut tells me this shooter will have mental health issues as well.

We shall see. And thank goodness he had the right to obtain the AR and carry it.

I'm still wondering how he had access to the roof of a building 150-200 yards away with line of sight to the podium. Some heads need to roll.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Lol. The guy literally got shot in the head a few seconds prior. He had blood running down his face.

"Yes, but he should have carefully considered what impact his words would have on his followers and thought of something to say that was less incendiary."

You guys are hilarious.

[Jeff Lebowski]

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[PaloAltoCougar]

Lol. The guy literally got shot in the head a few seconds prior. He had blood running down his face.

"Yes, but he should have carefully considered what impact his words would have on his followers and thought of something to say that was less incendiary."

You guys are hilarious.

Sincerely, I don't understand your point here. Why is what I said funny or off base? i think Trump's reaction was very natural for him. It's the just the way he is. Even if he had had time to carefully consider his reaction I don't think anything would have been different.

Unrelated: I wish I could remember who tweeted it, but they hoped Trump would begin his speech at the convention with, "Friend, Republicans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!" I'd almost be tempted to vote for him.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Oh boy. Tough to distinguish between the Onion and regular media these days.

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[USUC]

We shall see. And thank goodness he had the right to obtain the AR and carry it.

I'm still wondering how he had access to the roof of a building 150-200 yards away with line of sight to the podium. Some heads need to roll.

I'm fairly certain this kid won't be a raging antifa militant. If anything he will be just like most other shooters lately... quiet, probably bullied, has antisocial writings he didn't publish, etc.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Unrelated: I wish I could remember who tweeted it, but they hoped Trump would begin his speech at the convention with, "Friend, Republicans, Countrymen, lend me your ears!" I'd almost be tempted to vote for him.

This made me laugh: