2024 Election - Thread #1

[robkelk]

Don’t worry, Trump is as smart as a bull moose.

For those who aren't up on their history: in 1912, one block away from where the Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held, Teddy Roosevelt was shot while at an election campaign rally.

Quoting from Trump rally shooting flings U.S. to perilous juncture: What path will it take?:

There's something else Roosevelt did that day, and we'll find out quickly whether Trump emulates him now during a fragile moment for American democracy.

He turned the temperature down.

Surrounded by a potential mob, Roosevelt urged everyone to stay peaceful. His supporters wanted action against the mentally disturbed gunman, chanting "Kill him!" Roosevelt encouraged first them, then the arresting police officers, to leave the man unharmed.

It's what happened north of the border, too, when the leader of the Parti Québécois was targeted by a shooter in 2012. In the aftermath, Pauline Marois maintained rhetoric to avoid stoking more violence.

The same article mentions that His Orangeness said "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our country" in a statement after the fact. I'm guessing that he's never taken in a play at the Ford Theater, or driven past the Book Depository in Dallas.

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Two years old, but still relevant:



Source: CPOST/NORC, University of Chicago

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Some links, starting with one for future readers who stumble across this thread:

• CBC: Trump safe after apparent assassination attempt at rally that left suspect, 1 attendee dead
  
• CNN: Long list of presidents have been shot or shot at
  
• CBC: Trump rally shooting flings U.S. to perilous juncture: What path will it take?
  
• CBC: Secret Service protection for Donald Trump is different than for other ex-presidents
  

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... One of the other attendees died ...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim.

(That is the usual phrase, isn't it?)