the current and future Dem admin's monstrous and smarmy backing of a year-long genocide + the threat of an even worse admin whose candidates are currently trying to directly start race wars in Ohio and PA give this one the edge due to pure bleakness

There was also more of a general feeling that Trump couldn't possibly get elected, whereas this time there was dread from the start that it could happen

I feel all that, and I get that the race wars situation feels worse this time because we know he CAN start a major insurrection. But he was threatening this kind of stuff then too. For me in 2016 it felt super hopeless near November because almost nobody liked Hilary.

2016 didn't have two candidates fervently backing genocides, and 2016 didn't have both candidates threatening the use of imprisonment and death against their political opponents. 2024 is much more extreme in rhetoric and policy of both candidates, it doesn't help marginalized people at all. Awful!

I don't mean to reply guy my way in but I'm in Ohio and the political ads are wall to wall hatred and it's dystopic and horrible. It's one of the worst things to live through since the last worst thing. It feels actively deadening to the soul.