I worked at the Ohio Democratic Party between 2006 and 2008. Most of us have forgotten, but in 2004 there was an embarrassing episode where some Democrats who knew better indulged in conspiracy theories about Diebold and Ohio vote totals. A scene was made in Congress.

Two years later, when I was trying to organize and win important elections in the state, at least once a week I had to deal with someone taking over a meeting to say all of it was pointless because the machines were rigged and what we REALLY should do was .....

These weren't mainstream views. The President of the United States wasn't pushing them. There wasn't a cable network devoted to them. But they were incredibly persistent.

Everyone, but especially Republicans, are going to be dealing with the consequences of GOP and conservative media cowardice for years.