I have always had an interest in politics and a fascination with

how people play that "game." So over the years I have either read or research most of the high profile assassinations or attempts in the US and a few overseas. It seems to me the motivation to try to assassinate a politician seems to fit 1 of these categories in most cases:

1. Political motivation which can include ideological differences and power struggle (i.e. rival political party).
2. Power struggle within the same political party.
3. To tie up loose ends/keep people from talking or exposing something to the public.

In terms of US history, I believe Garfield's assassination and the attempt on Reagan may be the exception in terms of motivation. Guiteau killed Garfield because he believed he should be appointed to an ambassador position (Vienna or Paris) and his requests was rejected multiple times. While Hinckley shot Reagan to try to impress Jodi Foster.

In response to this post by Manbearpig

Posted: 06/14/2017 at 12:01PM

Prayers for those shot in Alexandria this AM. ** -- Cal Naughton Jr 06/14/2017 08:57AM

And the shooter is ID'd -- looks like he's a Bernie Sanders fan ** -- Nova Hokie 95 06/14/2017 10:48AM

Did anyone expect a Trump supporter? -- Manbearpig 06/14/2017 11:00AM

I have always had an interest in politics and a fascination with -- VTHokie2000 06/14/2017 12:01PM

Here's the closest I've found to confirmation that he asked -- Nova Hokie 95 06/14/2017 11:03AM

Republican assassination porn is not art or a joke gone flat. ** -- RoswellGAHokie 06/14/2017 10:07AM

Assassination porn is not art or a joke gone flat. FIFY. ** -- AbsolutVT03 06/14/2017 11:08AM

Did you just try to blame this on Kathy Griffin? ** -- Manbearpig 06/14/2017 10:30AM

Shun, no wait, no don't, please don't ** -- TheNuke 06/14/2017 10:41AM

Were they practicing for an annual Congressional baseball game? -- Hokie360 06/14/2017 09:06AM

Yes. Game scheduled for tomorrow. ** -- 48zip 06/14/2017 09:11AM

Sounds like it, the Dems were practicing at another location ** -- `lag 06/14/2017 09:07AM

Sounds like the gunman asked if they were democrats or republicans -- EDGEMAN 06/14/2017 09:18AM

Unconfirmed, but it wouldn't surprise me given the level of partisan hate -- HokieNoVA 06/14/2017 10:10AM

Now confirmed. ** -- SavannahHokie 06/14/2017 10:31AM

This is not good. -- CPRVHokie 06/14/2017 09:20AM

Facts are out, a dead idiot fired off 50+ rounds at a bunch of -- fordham 06/14/2017 09:39AM

Heard gunman is still alive and in a hospital. ** -- EDGEMAN 06/14/2017 10:54AM

Pres. just said shooter died, ** -- MEHOKIE 06/14/2017 11:39AM

Great news! ** -- EDGEMAN 06/14/2017 2:28PM

Facts are out -- immediately followed by not-a-fact -- HWA 06/14/2017 10:24AM

This place is worse than Twitter sometimes ** -- CPRVHokie 06/14/2017 10:01AM

Let's hold off on the facts until they are facts ** -- TheNuke 06/14/2017 09:55AM

Don't think he's dead. (per CBS) ** -- 48zip 06/14/2017 09:49AM

Exactly the point. 'The Facts' will change as the smoke clears. ** -- CPRVHokie 06/14/2017 10:04AM

Protective detail for Scalise -- 133743Hokie 06/14/2017 09:45AM

Not sure it was the gunman who asked unless you saw info I didn't ** -- WestEndHokie39 06/14/2017 09:19AM

Twitter is best source for news...and unsubstantiated rumors ** -- CPRVHokie 06/14/2017 09:21AM

I have always had an interest in politics and a fascination with

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