I think there's something different happening among Trumps base and it's getting weirder and weirder. They aren't choosing which politician is least bad, they are choosing to worship Trump.
Some yes. But most are simply mad at Washington, both sides, and want someone to be their spokesperson and do what's right for them. It's a result of the increasing wealth disparity. There are studies for example that show clearly that as the gap widens, things like violence increases in a society. And Trump spoke to what the masses thought needed to change and promised them what they wanted even though he's really ineffective. He has the power to mobilize his supporters and instead he cries about how everyone attacks him and he attacks the media. He only cares about himself and having his base idolize him. Doesn't matter if it's the right thing to do or not, as long as it's what they want, he'll do it so he gets those cheers at the rallies and gets voted in again.
Bernie is the Trump of the left and "he" scares me more than Trump does. Bernie isn't a bumbling buffoon. He knows he has power in his supporters, he knows how to use it and he knows he will need to. I think Bernie is milk toast though.. he's ideological.. Most of his supporters hear "socialist" and think social programs. But his far left supporters.. Well... They are mobilized and ready to make things happen. They are also of the sort that want "revolution", a portion of them are of the "force" type and another portion of doing it from within the system. And they are ready to do away with things like freedom of speech, the electoral college and more. And just as the Republicans are weak willed and bend to Trump because they're afraid of him and the base, the Democrats will do exactly the same thing. So congrats to the right and Trump. Keep on attacking Biden as that will ensure Bernie gets the nomination. Thank you for making it more and more likely that someone (through his base that's ready to exert power) even more dangerous IMO has a chance of becoming the next President.
Am I crazy to think the trial might have opened a lot of peoples eyes who may have otherwise not paid attention to these things?
Maybe some small number but overall.. No I don't really think so.. The majority don't care as long as he gets them the judges and fights with the left (and the right to some extent) and the media, i.e. the "establishment". They're willing to look the other way over everything else as they think they're getting the greater good. Keep in mind that many of them are also of the mind set of "tear it all down". They want the "establishment" to destroy itself and fail to recognize that it will take the country with it. And the far left... Well.. They're just as bad but about other things.
My grandparents left Germany prior to WWII because they could see how things were changing etc. I'm starting to feel like I know exactly what they were feeling and experiencing.