my read is the establishment wants a “Goldilocks” level of excitement and interest in politics at a given time. not too hot, not too cool.

nobody wanting to vote for anybody was a bit too cool. not enough donations, antipathy to commercials. disinterest isn’t distracting enough. biden decaying on live TV gave things a shot in the arm as conspiracy narratives and contested convention with possibilities swirling, but the excitement was still contained.

somebody taking a shot at a presumed nominee was the porridge bubbling over. can’t be having public violence against that class, gotta pull the pot off the stove and get it back under control.

don’t want to ruin the big dinner or for the house to burn down.