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Trump seemed indestructible, but a remarkable new dynamic has emerged in the race for the White House

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Trump seemed indestructible, but a remarkable new dynamic has emerged in the race for the White House

Through all the turmoil at the top of US politics, a remarkable new dynamic has emerged: Kamala Harris can win in November.

The moment after Donald Trump was left bloodied by a would-be assassin’s bullet, the political reality changed dramatically.

Trump seemed indestructible. He showed himself as the ultimate political animal — most people would be in shock and fear after someone had tried to kill them, but not Trump. He realised it made for a great political moment, raising his fist and shouting “Fight, fight, fight!”

His rival for the presidency at that time was Joe Biden, a frail man who was becoming increasingly enfeebled.

Leading Democrats were in despair. They believed that short of something dramatic, Trump was heading back to the White House.

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Then it was the Democrats’ turn for a dramatic twist. Key Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama, made clear that Biden was not a viable candidate.

Biden was fighting against that immovable reality — date of birth. DOB won.

The Democrats were tearing themselves apart as a man for whom they had great affection and respect could not bring himself to face the toughest of realities: he was too old for the job.

In the end, key Democrats’ fear of a Trump redux overpowered their affection for “Joe”.

Donald Trump’s choice of running mate in JD Vance doesn’t broaden his appeal.(Reuters: Tom Brenner)

A new race for Trump

For those few days between the assassination attempt and the Democrats’ subtle leadership coup, Donald Trump was riding high. So convinced did Trump appear to be of the inevitability of a victory that he discarded conventional political wisdom and chose a running mate who in no way broadened his appeal — JD Vance.

Forced from the campaign, Biden quickly pivoted to endorsing his loyal deputy, Vice-President Harris.

Suddenly, the race was not between two old men but between one old man — a convicted felon who almost had to be blasted from office in his previous presidential term — and a relatively young, smart professional woman at the height of her game.

Overnight, Harris appealed to the Democrats’ base, which re-united. Women — young women in particular — now can contemplate the possibility that they will see the first female president in US history.

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