> My brother would stay an Eagles fan even if they lost every game they played
Are you sure? People often claim this, but don't follow through. There's even an expression, "fair weather fan".
It's true some people seem to support some political parties beyond all reason. But to keep the support through personal hardship is different, and hasn't been tested as often. Worldwide, nothing particular to US.
Check out the Cleveland Browns. They have packed crowds, endless merchandise sales, and full-throated support of their team even in light of gross mismanagement, sexual abusers, and more losses than wins.
That story applies to both sides of the aisle in US Government. The battle is for the 1/3 that doesn't vote and the sliver of folks who switch back and forth.
I don't have to look up their attendance to tell you that there are a lot of die hard fans. Look at any major sports team that is losing and you will still see a lot of fans at the game. I'd expect a 50k seat stadium to have 20k fans even when there is no possibility of making the playoffs and every seat full when they are likely to win. That is for any sport, football because they play so few games is likely to be closer to selling out even when the team is losing just because you if you can get in you go.
Just fair weather fans exist. They are probably a majority. The minority that is die hard fans are still significant though.
If it was just politics, I'd agree with you. And I hate to be the "but this time it's different" guy, but I really think it is different this time. Trump is more of a religious figure than a politician. His fans literally (in the literal meaning of the word literally) worship him, and he can do no wrong in their eyes. People have made him their entire personality. My wife's church sometimes spends more time talking about Trump than Jesus. In a religious context, personal hardship just strengthens their resolve and convinces them they're being persecuted for Knowing The Truth, just like debunking a conspiracy theory only serves to further convince the conspiracy theorist.
America is getting less and less involved with traditional organized religion, and I honestly think this personality cult is taking a lot of its place.
Are you sure? People often claim this, but don't follow through. There's even an expression, "fair weather fan".
It's true some people seem to support some political parties beyond all reason. But to keep the support through personal hardship is different, and hasn't been tested as often. Worldwide, nothing particular to US.