FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Robert Kennedy wins the California primary, is then murdered in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, in what might be the first instance of Palestinian terrorism.

The presidential season would deliver many more unpleasant surprises, and there's a continuing industry spinning "what if Bobby won?" counterfactuals.  You'll find links to two nailed to Newmark's Door.

Mark Kurlansky might be in the "we're in a worse place" school of thought, but his concluding observation ought caution people not to put their faith in politicians.  "But on that June night in 1968, I came to understand that in this country where anyone could be shot dead at any moment, our demons were deep within us. There would be no magical leaders to save us from ourselves."

There are no magical leaders.  That is all.