German news site a few days before 2020 election.

A Legacy of Hatred, Culture Wars and Discord
The Mess Created By Trump Will Be with Us for Years
The U.S. president has damaged the political system so badly that it will be difficult to repair, even if Donald Trump gets voted out of office on Tuesday. The hatred and political discord he has stirred up will paralyze the country for years.
By Valerie Höhne, Ralf Neukirch, René Pfister, Alexandra Rojkov und Alexander Sarovic
30.10.2020, 18.54 Uhr

https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/the-mess-created-by-trump-will-be-with-us-for-years-a-e6a059c1-3422-4c19-b3c3-4e4b726f7820

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calicuz · 56-60, M

I personally wouldn't give the man so much credit. I don't believe one man could "damage" any political system so easily and so quickly.
What we as Americans have to remember, and rely on, is that WE are a nation of laws. As long as everyone involved in the political system, from the voter to the politician running for office and everyone in between follow the law, the system can't be "damaged."

Iwillwait · M

@calicuz Agreed!

BohemianBabe · M

@calicuz The GOP was consistently becoming more extreme before Trump. However, Trump showed them that you can be openly extreme and conservatarded voters will still support you, which greatly sped up the process.

calicuz · 56-60, M

@BohemianBabe

Ok, but did that actually "ruin" the American political process?

BohemianBabe · M

@calicuz Not yet, but Trumpism hasn't be defeated. The Republicans already control the SCOTUS and there's a pretty good chance they'll win in 2024.
I don't think nearly enough Americans realize how close we are to no longer having real elections.

Ryderbike

@BohemianBabe Not a chance Republicans will win in 2024

BohemianBabe · M

@Ryderbike Biden is unpopular and if he steps down, we'll have Harris, who is even more unpopular.

Iwillwait · M

@BohemianBabe He should not step down

BohemianBabe · M

@Iwillwait Yeah, but he might have to, since he's 100 years old.

Ryderbike

@BohemianBabe And yet he is the only president to hold onto the Senate in a midterm election.

calicuz · 56-60, M

@BohemianBabe @Iwillwait

No President should step down, it's not good for the country.

BohemianBabe · M

@Ryderbike People weren't voting for him, they were voting against the Republicans. Which might be a good thing, maybe they'll do the same in 2024. But maybe Republicans will also vote in higher numbers if Trump gets the nomination. Also, many of the midterm elections in swing states were super close.
Basically, things could still go either way.

Ryderbike

@BohemianBabe There aren’t enough Republicans to vote in higher numbers. Only Republicans can win is with independents. And everything they do alienates independents

BohemianBabe · M

@Ryderbike Keep in mind this is what everyone thought in 2016. It's totally possible for not enough people to vote for the Democrat due to lack of motivation.

Ryderbike

@BohemianBabe The only thing I will agree with you on is that anyone who tries to predict an American election is an utter fool.