Watching the "Yes We Can" episode of the "2000's" CNN special
Its clear that the 2008 election was an inflection point for our country. The news to come out of that election at the time was the election of the nations 1st African American President. But looking back its clear that we are where we are with Trump because of 1 person, Sarah Palin. Prior to her arrival on the national scene you're classic Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge, Laura Ingram, Ann Coulter wing of the GOP obviously influenced the GOP base but didnt necessarily become mainstream and control the party. Palin kicked down the door and energized the disenfranchised RWNJ that lead to a massive amount of money coming in and increasing poll numbers so they couldnt shut her up. Thank God John McCain had the decency to tell people afraid of the "Arab" that he was a decent person and citizen that he disagreed with. Trump ran towards these people not from them, but it was Palin that brought them out.
Then after the election Fox News gave her a voice and she spearheaded the "death panel" attack on the ACA and showed future GOP politicians that it doesnt matter if there's any truth to anything just go with it. A strategy that Trump has gone full steam ahead with. I truly believe the nomination of Sarah Palin is overlooked in what it did to American politics and is a far lower point in our history than it gets credit for.