Apparent Second Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Will This Negatively Impact Harris-Walz Campaign?

"Donald Trump was the target of a second apparent assassination attempt Sunday when Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla., where the former president was golfing just a few holes away." - The Wall Street Journal, September 15, 2024

The former president is safe. 

The alleged potential shooter - Ryan Wesley Routh - initially fled but was arrested soon afterward. He faces criminal charges. At this time it is unknown if he took any shots.

Of course, this development has unleashed condemnation of what seems to be political violence. Also, there will be scrutiny how Routh came to possess a military-type weapon. Since he had video recording equipment there could be an outcry about how easy it is for violence to catapult a miscreant into stardom. 

But there is also the very immediate issue of how this could could affect the Harris-Walz positioning in what is turning out to be a volatile and tough campaign. It is not insensitive to bring this up. In my coaching clients report a hiatus in their businesses because of the uncertainty of this election year. Their customers are holding off on purchasing decisions.

Thanks to the masterful debate prepping by Paul Weiss partner Karen Dunn, Kamala Harris went from underdog to top dog. That shift, of course, comes with the predictable aggressive sleuthing by the media and others for fault lines. 

Now, with underdog Trump undergoing the trauma of a second possible attempt on his life that positioning could change radically. 

Sympathy for Trump - that will be present, even among those not fans. How much can a human being endure? Conspiracy theories could take shape, asserting who knows what. Those could damage Harris. The earlier one about receiving just-in-time tips during the debate through her earrings has been sticky. Also there could be more willingness to listen to Trump-Vance messaging. 

Obviously, Democratic party strategists have a long night ahead and probably a chaotic week. GOP strategists have been handed a golden opportunity to reset the campaign. Maybe Trump would even consider participating in another debate. 

Meanwhile the fundraisers on both sides have to keep at it. There will be a need for more and perhaps different outreach - which is quite pricey - in response to today's events.

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