In polls, President Joe Biden's race against Republican nominee Donald Trump remains close. But Saturday’s assassination attempt on the former president has reshaped the race in ways large and small—and potentially consequential. 

Words matter more than ever, as President Biden and other Democratic leaders call for national unity, while also highlighting what many party members see as a threat to democracy posed by a second Trump term.

“You don’t have to say that Trump all of a sudden is a perfect candidate, and doesn’t pose a potential threat to the electoral system, in saying he also shouldn’t be a victim of a crime,” says Shana Kushner Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research.

“Interpersonal conversation can both rile people up and also tamp things down,” Gadarian says. “That’s part of the importance of political leadership on both sides saying, ‘This is not how we do things.’”

Read more in the Christian Science Monitor article, “After Trump shooting, rhetorical challenge for Democrats is bigger than ever.”