The post mortem continues, with the Inquirer headlining, in the print edition, a story , “Why voters rejected Dems’ fascism warnings.”
I’ll summarize the story this way: Voters cared more about the economy than democracy.
That’s the Inquirer’s take, speaking for hard Left, Democratic bed-wetters.
Mine is that the majority of Americans never bought the “fascist” argument, despite it originating with Donald J. Trump’s chief of staff.
Nor did they buy Trump’s joking declaration that he would become a dictator on “day one,” because they know he meant only on day one. His opponents tried to make it read “starting on day one.”
The deeper the belief and trust (yes, trust) in Trump, the more that voter might be thinking, “Yeah, we are in such deep doo-doo, maybe we need a dictator to get out of it.”
I know a few MAGA heads who would say that, and half believe it. Ideology blinds you to reality.
The key issues in the campaign were the economy and inflation, followed closely by immigration.
Democrats banked a lot on abortion, which surprisingly was not an explosive issue, as it was in 2022. Two things: I think Democrats acted on the notion that abortion was a unifying issue among all women. They forgot that one-third of women approve of abortion only in certain circumstances.
That’s Gallup’s polling. My own opinion is that most people understand that abortion is still available, even if you have to travel one or two states away, which is burdensome, yes. Only 13 states ban abortion.
I understand many Democrats see abortion on demand as a Constitutional right, but that’s not where the majority of Americans are.
The key reason — not the only reason — the Dems got swamped was the truism first articulated by strategist James Carville for the 1992 Bill Clinton campaign: It’s the economy, stupid.
It still is.
Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris failed to convince voters otherwise, and they seemed tone deaf when they tried to peddle Bidenomics. It was a failed strategy.
The truth is the U.S. economy is in good shape, compared to other Western economies. But Americans live here. When gas costs more than $4 here, Americans don’t care that it costs even more in Europe.
The Democrats did not have a good answer as to why eggs and butter remained high, even when the inflation rate had been cut by more than half.
Given that 72% of Americans felt that the U.S. was on the wrong track, and Kamala was part of the administration, she put up a really good fight against Trump, who was unpopular even among many in the majority who voted for him — not because of fascism, but because of his big, dumb mouth that makes so many cringe worthy remarks.
But with that said, like it or not, he is the most powerful politician in America, Trumpism is alive and well.
As I’ve said before, I am a disloyal Democrat. Disloyal because the party has moved too far to the Left.
Look — a loyal Democrat like David Axelrod says the party has become the party of “smarty pants suburban elites,” and former Marxist Van Jones says Dems were “idiots,” and Ritchie Torres, the congressman who represents the deep blue district in the Bronx where I was born, nails it like this, maybe I should be disloyal.
In the closing days of the campaign, Democrats claimed to have knocked on 2 million doors in swing states.
I have always questioned the effectiveness of door-knocking.
The Dems had a massive operation, the Republicans barely did, and who won?
As a reporter, I have accompanied candidates door-knocking, handing out leaflets, and asking for votes.
The overwhelming majority of people smile, listen, and take the literature. Many promise to vote for the candidate. Some will, the rest just want the door-knocker to go away. They don’t want an argument or a debate on their doorstep.
The only people who welcome the door-knockers are shut-ins, the lonely elderly, and those spoiling for a political argument, which door-knockers are instructed to avoid.
I talked earlier about as you travel Right among Republican voters, the adhesive to Trump gets stronger.
As you travel farther Left, the belief is — even today — the remedy is to go even more Left.
Ideology blinds you to reality.
I find it interesting that I have seen Democrats (and some independents) claiming that the Democratic Party did not go “left” enough (like Bernie Sanders), and some claiming (like Stu) that it went TOO far left. I’m not sure either of those views is 100% accurate to be quite honest. But I think it’s clear that the electorate believed that their needs were not being met. And yes, the economy, or more accurately, prices, were the mean reason people thought it was a good idea to make a convicted felon POTUS. I saw how things went in 1980 when interest rates were 15%, and I had a bad feeling 2024 was gonna be replay, which it was.
I believe this clearly due to the fact that a vast majority of people have been blinded by a 40-year campaign by the Right to take over the narrative that used to be in the hands of people like Cronkite, Rather, Huntley & Brinkley, Woodward & Bernstein, etc. These were people I looked up to, and in my opinion, they told the truth virtually always.
This was not a truth that the Republicans were in agreement with. They’ve now managed to discredit what remains of a fair and balanced press to the point where no Republicans believe a damned thing the media says. Misinformation is rampant, and way too many of these people think it’s real. This is horrible and dangerous. The list of right-wing-nut podcasters and YouTube clueless geniuses with “credible” conspiracy theories is endless. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that I am “misinformed” because I listen to “mainstream media.” Newsflash: I am not, and I do not.
As Stu points out, the economy is in terrific shape, whether you like it or not. I spent the weekend at various airports and they are JAMMED with travelers. All flights full. Guess people have money to spend, huh? Lots of it.
There is literally no evidence that Trump is going to help you all one bit. None. But he says he will, and you buy into that for reasons that are incomprehensible to those of us with the ability to see what happened under Trump and after, and who can reason deductively. It just doesn’t make a lot of logical sense.
But as I’ve said before, let’s see. Let’s see if your social security is still here in four years. If Medicare is. If Obamacare is. If abortion is banned in even more states. If tips are not taxed. If tariffs improved the economy. All of it. Let’s see.
Stu has said that he believe the “system will hold.” Well, answer me this, Stu: why would anyone vote for a guy who leads you to believe the system has to “stand up” against him? Not logical. Not logical at all.
I am unclear what you are asking in your question to me. But my answer is mostly the pro Trump vote was anti status quo, as it has been all over Europe, with MOST moving Right, while the UK moved Left. But ALL were anti status quo
Freeze, I usually enjoy your comments, but I have to correct one, what I believe is an inaccuracy.
Bernie Sanders is on record, post election, for stating that Democratic Party had abandoned the principals of the working man, so he reasoned there’s every reason to believe the working man abandoned the Democratic Party. He actually is closer to Trump on that than one might think.
Good Lord, man. Get a parakeet.
You’re an angry, lonely dude.
These rambling diatribes…
No one cares.
Stan G, who the hell are you to say no one cares? How dare you take it upon yourself to speak for anybody other than yourself.
Stu, you do have the talent to cut thru the political rhetoric and provide a glimpse of reality! So thank you!
Amen to that, Joe!
Thank YOU.
As a life-long registered Democrat, I was disappointed by the results of the Presidential election. But, truth be told, I would also have been disappointed if Harris won. I was born in Newark, NJ and grew up in its suburbs. My parents were, in Philly parlance, Democratic Ward Leaders. During election season, our house was a continuous site of coffee klatches (gatherings) for the candidates to meet the people – town, county, state and national politicians came to shake hands, schmooze and make their pitch. Face to face, look ’em in the eye. The “BS meters” better detected campaign hyperbole more acutely than spotting dog doo on the lawn. I got to see how the sausage was made and the politicians showed how well they understood their job – do good for their constituents. Their goal was not to get reelected ad infinitum. They were reelected term after term as long as they did what they were elected to do – genuinely fix problems. And, in order to do so, the so-called “aisle” was virtually invisible. The Ds and Rs worked tirelessly together to achieve results – results that were not excessively Blue or Red; they were results that were reasonable and effective.
So, the point of those ramblings – how about if the Ds in Washington and around the Country now so something revolutionary – work with the Rs to solve the issues that face the USA today. How about if our Ds are the first to draft legislation, propose regulations and Executive Orders. By drafting, they can create the talking points around which laws, regulations and Executive Orders are adopted. Don’t relegate yourselves to being the noisy opposition and naysayers. Show that the issues of concern to the Trump voters are also issues for those who voted for Harris. Let’s not have Trump’s 2nd term be a repeat of Trump 1.0 and the past 4 years of efforts to vilify and marginalize him. The D leadership has the opportunity to recognize that Trump is merely a spokesman (however pugnacious and obnoxious) for the majority of our population who is unhappy with the status quo. And that status quo includes name-calling and divisiveness. Throwing mud at the Rs and those who voted against Harris will only perpetuate the status quo to determine which side can quarry more mud. I’m rooting for our Democrat leadership to grow olive groves. That’s real leadership. Abandon the mud wrestling and wrestle with problems in order to create solutions. Do that and the next administration will be Democrats.
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Freeze, Rather lost whatever credibility he had with the fake Bush memo in 2004. If there ever was a golden age of journalism, it’s long gone.
Harold, just reviewing your quote above: “So, the point of those ramblings – how about if the Ds in Washington and around the Country now so something revolutionary – work with the Rs to solve the issues that face the USA today.”
While I’m not the eternal pessimist, what you said basically hasn’t happened much since the Civil War. Why would they start now? They are both Power Hogs – and not necessarily for the betterment of the American Public.
Randy – my observations reflect recollections of the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. Clifford Case (R) and Pete Williams (D) were 2 marvelous NJ senators. Opposite sides of the aisle but each was serially reelected. They were typical of countless similar Congress members from around the Country. They quibbled primarily about which state or district received a new post office or bridge. But, they all successfully negotiated budgets, defense, housing subsidies, tax laws, creation of NASA, public works projects (which put tens of thousands to work), etc. Lyndon Johnson took himself out of running for President in order to end the Vietnam War. He might have been lionized for that effort; but he chose to step aside. Did the political leaders of yesteryear gorge on power? Sure. But they also understood that power came from being reelected and doing a good job was the path to reelection…not canceling the opposition. The opposition was merely the expression of different ways to achieve sensible results. Some people like coffee mint crunch and others like cherry almond. Just because one flavor out polls the other doesn’t mean the other buyers get branded with a scarlet letter. Joe & Jayne Q Public today clamor common sense and rational political leaders. We may get those leaders if Letters-to-the Editors, Op-Eds, Editorials and media talking heads promote that message instead of doling out endless vials of vitriol. Pollyanna prayers? Probably. But the effort would be quite pleasant…for a change.
There were multiple reasons for the Republican rout that we witnessed. Stu mentioned the economy and immigration, and they were. Also, the “woke” culture, propagated by those on the far left has become pervasive within and synonymous with the Democratic Party. This is toxic and needs to be eliminated for the party before they can hope to regain some control, hopefully in 2026. I still believe a divided government works best for all of us, because it forces compromises to be made. And I still hold both MAGA’s and Progressives in equal disdain.
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An evenhanded, objective column, full of ‘stuff’ that needed to be said. When I think of the Far Left and what it has done to the Democrat Party, I think of the saying, “When you’ve lost your aim, redouble your effort.” The Far-Left crazies managed to lose the White House, the Senate, and maybe the House. And all it cost them was a billion dollars.
Trump won because the Democratic Party moved to the extreme left. Obviously the economy was the main issue. However The Democratic Party’s support of the Racial Grievance Industrial Complex, Reparations, Defund the Police, Boys participation in girl sports, extreme climate change positions, led to their election defeat. I left the Democratic Party after seeing and living through Larry Krasner’s bail policies toward illegal gun possession and shoplifting. I just love it when I go to CVS to buy Tylenol and then wait 10 extra minutes for the CSR to unlock the cabinet to retrieve the pain reliever. However, I didn’t support Trump in this election because of his January 6th actions. The Democratic Party is in trouble. The day of the large democratic votes in big cities is waning because of mail in voting, Secondly, the Elderly reliable Democrats are fleeing the party and have different views than the younger Woke Generation who would or will take over the Party’s leadership positions.
Audatious DOO DOO to think that Americans are not ready for a woman, let alone a woman of color.
We’ve already had a bi-racial president (who would walk in a ‘hood roll when in front of black audiences. and Hillary definitely was ‘just this close’.
It should be more like perhaps American are not ready for someone who is an unqualified empty suit.
Today’s democrats are nothing like the JFK democrats of the past. They are too far to the left and will self destruct. Tuesdays election was the beginning of the end for them. They counted on the abortion, woke, defund the Police, women’s rights, anti gun, etc. groups to come thru for them. By the end of the night on Tuesday they knew they failed across the country. Time to give the peoples choice a chance to try to change some issues for the better. I believe some good things will happen over the next four years. God Bless America
Great column Stu. Enough said.