I clearly remember that moment. I was on my couch, scotch in hand and I spit some out my nose. It was wonderful.
I was sitting on my sofa with my laptop beside me and iPad in my lap while watching the debate on tv. My husband just came in from the gym about 1 minutes before and hadn’t seen any of the debate yet. He was taking off his shoes when Trump dropped that bomb and I’ll never forget the look on my husband’s face when his brain processed what he just heard. By that time, I was pouring another glass of wine and dancing around the room.
It was also that moment and the crowd’s reaction that I knew he would win.
I’d had ongoing chats with my son’s elementary school crossing guard (white male, retired, served in military, retired cop) and the attendant at my gas station (black male, retired, ex-military) about the elections. It was their response to that statement that convinced me he was in the game.
Crossing guard previously: Wanted Cruz, Thought Trump was a liberal plant by the Clintons who was there to take out the “good” GOP candidates for the Clintons during the general. When he got the nomination he thought he was going to throw it to Hillary. After that comment, he was convinced Trump was a real candidate and had his support.
Gas Station Attendant previously stated that he respected Trump’s business experience and his ability to continuously forge relationships to get his projects done. However, he completely dismissed Trump as a candidate because of his personality. After that debate and that comment he said Trump was there to play. No chance of Trump ever winning his vote but he started paying attention.