Trump Rally Gunman Was ‘Definitely Conservative,’ classmates recall

(Archived)

Why Thomas Matthew Crooks tried to assassinate Donald Trump is a mystery to investigators and his ex-classmates [...]

[Former classmate] Max R. Smith recalled taking an American history course with Crooks as a sophomore. He did recall Crooks making political statements — but they shed no light on his actions Saturday.

“He definitely was conservative,” he said. “It makes me wonder why he would carry out an assassination attempt on the conservative candidate.”

Smith recalled a mock debate in which their history professor posed government policy questions and asked students to stand on one side of the classroom or the other to signal their support or opposition for a given proposal.

“The majority of the class were on the liberal side, but Tom, no matter what, always stood his ground on the conservative side,” Smith said. “That’s still the picture I have of him. Just standing alone on one side while the rest of the class was on the other.”

Maybe he didn't like the idea of a wanna be dictator in a position where he can damage democracy.

How is it hard to understand why a Republican might have issues with the man destroying the Republican Party

In many ways I find it refreshing how little there is to be said about the shooter. No manifesto, low social media presence — the guy just didn't have that much to dig up. I shudder to think how endlessly he would be getting discussed day after day if he had left a pile of opinions behind, and I am very glad we avoided that.

News orgs, though? Man, they are frustrated. The most they have to work off of is which party he was registered to, plus hearsay and gossip of people who knew him at one point or another. Shit like that is just trying to capitalize on a dramatic event for clicks when absolutely nothing of substance is available. It's vapor. Meaningless.

Assassination attempt aside, I could hardly be happier that the shooter – whoever he was – did not leave behind rhetorical carrion for the vultures. Site after site is clawing at the dirt, trying to force me to care about something that I really don't need or want to care about, and for once, they have nothing to do it with. Good. I have far more important things to worry about.

Steven Bannon said it would be good for maga if the felon was assassinated. If Google were not so useless now I could find a link. I heard the clip on a policatal show, probably MeidasTouch

So they say...a Republican that donates to Democrats. Got it