Susceptible

Trumpism banked on the same tactics used by other authoritarian-inspired movements of the past and sold the idea that only one man could fix things. Not only was the country falling apart but the entire structural foundation was flawed and needed rebuilding. It historically worked before and was counted on to work again especially when many low information voters in an echo chamber era were considered easy pickings for their messaging.

I used to think it was incredibly difficult to be indoctrinated but I have spoken with people (including some in my own family) who rely on a few issues as their bedrock. They would vote for a blithering idiot like Trump or someone like him simply because he was on their side on the abortion issue. Never mind that Trump is a psychopathic opportunist who would do harm in other areas of their lives. Not all are uneducated people but they are so grounded in their dogma which often includes orthodox religious ideas. These are the same types of people who thought black people were inferior and women shouldn't vote and are hard to repair without major interventions.

There is a reason why religion and politics should not mix but there has always been an appetite for it especially among fearful conservatives who cling desperately to a resistance to evolve their societies. As soon as something is enacted which infringes on their religious ideas they cringe in opposition and push for that separating wall to be dismantled.

America will likely recover with a Harris victory but those people who crave despots will still be there cowering in fear and hate and waiting for their next messiah to save them from progress.