the polling for donald trump in the republican primaries is what you expect to see in a fascist country, where people tell the pollsters what they want to hear instead of what they truly think. putin consistently gets 80%+ approval ratings; the polls are sound, but the people are afraid to tell the pollsters what they really think. the same thing remains true to this day in iron bloc countries like slovakia that really shouldn't have those kinds of issues anymore.

trump was a mistake, in the sense that nobody actually wanted him. he came up the middle in a crowded primary that didn't have an acceptable candidate. i will not let you forget that trump was elected republican candidate primarily to stop ted cruz, who was seen as a right-wing extremist; trump was the closest thing to a moderate in the field.

the same problem remains. if you thought cruz was too right-wing, desantis is no answer for you. everybody knows that chris christie is a loser. and, then there's the brown girl; why isn't she running for the democrats?

trump has no opponent.

a strong moderate could have beaten trump very easily, but it's too late now; he's functionally running unopposed. at least he won't catch covid on the campaign trail from a jail cell.

but, don't be surprised if his support is 20-30% lower than the polls are putting it at when the real numbers come in. i don't think trump is as scary as some would claim, but that enforced groupthink in trumplandia is not healthy for american democracy and leaves the country vulnerable to the potential of electing an actual fascist.

in fascist america, president elect you!