Not naive, I think. Actually, simple pointing out what is extremely significant and a factor that the Democrats, as a whole, would do well to analyse carefully. It may well be precisely the model they need.

I may be very, very wrong because I am unable to comprehend why any 'ordinary' voter would support Republican Party values or vote for them even if they were actually only a reactionary & traditional conservative party. However, I feel that there just have to be Republicans who do have a degree of conscience that draws a line well before the level of extreme, false, autocratic, illegal, and Contitutionally destructive behaviour and actions of the Trump faction.

Surely, some of those Republicans must be having sleepless nights and wrestling with the wrongs (for there are no rights) of continuing to give the Party whose values they chose, being driven beyond the pale by Trump and Trumpist irresponsible, harmful, uncaring and ultimately devastatingly divisive effect on the nation he supposedly wants to make great again.

Is it not an irony that he touts MAGA as a value when, by definition, that implies that he no longer considers it great now?

I read many criticism of the USA and its supposed perfidy in its mounting military excursions into other nations, as well as accusations that these were all based purely on self-interest, extending influence, gaining control of resources and such. Some of what is claimed is true, either in part or in whole. As a result, it is used as an excuse for justifying the abominable acts of the likes of Putin and accusations of hypocrisy on the USA's part in aiding Ukraine and promoting human rights and freedoms in other ways and places.

Yes, the USA has many problems. Racism apparently remains rife among many communities. The nation has one of, if not the highest incarceration rates in the World. Capitalism is perhaps at its worst and failure to provide for the basic feeding, housing and healthcare of those at the base of the financial heap are nothing of which to be proud - indeed they seem to me to be grounds for prosecution of administrations that continually as good as ignore them.

However, no - it doesn't have to be this way. What the naysayers and right-wing recitations of USA failings get wrong is that they never fill out the positive side of the ledger.

The USA has been a great nation and is still a great nation. It will continue to be so as long as enough of its citizens are alerted to look beyond self-interest and to weight the good done by positive politicians and governments and citizens as a against the bad.

Fetterman is an example of how this can make a difference. No, one can't expect the 'reality telvision' style of indoctrination that has built Trump's following and exacerbated the "it's about me" view that gives the lie to the MAGA slogan to be dissipated and replaced quickly. However, Fetterman has shown that it can be eroded. - There are still intelligent, caring, compassionate & rational citizens out there - even with differing views - who have consciences and who have the intellectual capacity and basic humanity to recognise wrong and to see the need to care for all, not just themselves or a few.

If Biden has done one thing well, in my eyes, it has been to stick with the truth and proposing actions that will lift people from disadvantage and benefit *all* in society, so increasing equity and the sharing of the wealth of the mightiest nation on Earth among all its people. That he refuses to join in the 'tit-for-tat', simplistic, puerile and self-centred politics of Trump and the Republican camp that follow him, is courageous and right.

Yes, if you are naive then so must I be for I believe that truth will out and the scurrilous will bring about their own downfall.

I'm 75. I'm an Australian. I've seen it happen here. I've seen it happen elsewhere. I don't say that the extent of malice doesn't disturb me but I've generally seen good win out. So, naively perhaps, I'll remain positive, too.