This is the most frightening lesson of the Trump era: right-wing American leaders now understand just how effective Trumpian tactics are.

Trump didn’t lose because the tactics don’t work, but because he’s lazy, incompetent, and not very smart.

If he had handled the coronavirus pandemic with even a modicum of practicality, he would be the president-elect right now.

Fascist leaders who succeed usually do so because they are good at governing. Trump was terrible at governing. But somewhere in the wings right this minute sits a fascist-minded leader who knows how to combine all the elements into a package that will see them elected and re-elected.

We have only a very short window to prepare to stop that leader. Without the Senate, preparation is going to be exceedingly difficult.

Trump was only Act One, get ready for Act Two.