This is the first post-debate poll that I've seen. 

I took his words at face value.

You are the one going to extreme lengths to twist and contort them into something defensible.

katiek2 said:

If Trump had meant loiter around polling places and intimidate voters he would have said it.

That is the wording of the federal law he is encouraging his followers to break.

His own words are:

"I am encouraging my supporters to go into the polls and watch very carefully, because that's what has to happen — I am urging them to do it,"

What exactly am I misconstruing here?

What did he actually mean?

Contort away, Katie.

He meant exactly what he said.  I can guarantee you there won't be any Republicans standing at the polls trying to intimidate voters.   You've decided "go to the polls" and "watch very carefully" mean "loiter around the polls" and "intimidate voters".  You haven't thought it through.  What the hell - do we all wear R or D on our jackets?  Who the heck knows who votes for whom?  If there is any trouble, it won't be started by the right.

It's amazing how you can read someone's mind, though.  I would think being able to construe another person's true, actual meaning of words as opposed to what was actually said must be quite a burden to carry.  Kinda sad for you.

katiek2 said:

He meant exactly what he said.

Yes.  Go to the polls and watch what people do.

The LAW says it is illegal to loiter at the polls and intimidate people.  That is the wording of the law, not Trump's words.  I don't know how else to make this point.

I guess we have no choice but to be sad for each other.

I have the uncanny ability to comprehend the English language.  This is a sad burden, yes.

You live in a country whose leader is an idiot.  A very sad burden, indeed.

And yes.  I'm sure these people will be very responsible.

And no one could possibly be intimidated by a Trump supporter.

Interesting article 

www.nytimes.com

Many Claim Extremists Are Sparking Protest Violence. But Which Extremists?

Amid a rush to assign blame for violence and vandalism, accusations that extremists or outside agitators were behind the destruction ricocheted online and on the airwaves.

Read more from www.nytimes.com

Where are your pictures of the thugs tearing up many of our cities?  Oh, couldn't find any Trump supporters in them?  Well, that's about par for a liberal.  Just ignore what you don't like.

The article seems to raise more questions than it answered, but it was balanced, at least.

Unfortunately it is irrelevant to the current conversation, as the BLM protests are a separate issue.

We are talking about the President calling for random citizens to take it upon themselves to monitor you while you vote.

Perhaps they will walk into the buildings where the ballots are being counted to "supervise"?

What he said was stupid and dangerous.

And everyone continues to make excuses for his behaviour.

I am willing to cede that when he was referring to the Proud Boys he meant to say "Stand back and Stand down", not by.

But the call to arms to go into the polling stations can not be explained away as just another gaffe.

His words were specific and deliberate.