It’s The Voters, Stupid.
Guest Post By Wasabi Peas:
This election cycle made me mad. Really, really mad. And not for the reasons folks reading this blog might think.
Post-election, many people, mainly liberals, have been complaining and pointing fingers, blaming Trump voters and progressives/leftists for Kamala Harris’ loss. While anger over another Trump presidency is indeed warranted, directing it at fellow voters is misdirected and counter-productive, causing more division at a time when unity is needed more than at any other point in the last 45-50 years.
There has been a decent amount of coverage detailing how isolated Americans have become. This silo-ing is by design: those with money and power know that isolation leads to division and anger, keeping us too distracted from the actual problems most of us face, which are caused by those with money and power. The degradation of geographic communities propelled by social media algorithms and other factors such as school choice have left us less connected to our physical neighbors. Hyper-individualism has naturally followed and, as a result, we have been unknowingly coerced into thinking that things are too broken to be fixed. This has led us to focus only on our own lives and inner circles rather than looking for ways we can take back power and make our communities better for all who live in them.
All of this has created a landscape where we are forced into voting for the “lesser of two evils.” We seem to have forgotten that our elected officials are supposed to EARN our votes by supporting platforms and initiatives that align with our ideals, and that those people work for us. Fear has driven us to scrape the bottom of the barrel and look for protection in candidates that clearly do not have our best interests at heart, but are slightly less offensive than the other person running.
The fact of the matter is that Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party failed to successfully earn the votes they needed to win, echoing the failures of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. They abandoned progressive talking points and a large bloc of their historic base (progressives), instead choosing to woo voters further right on the spectrum who had no intention of voting for Kamala anyway. The Democratic Party didn’t do enough, and blaming others for voting against, or refusing to vote for, a candidate whose campaign promises (or lack thereof) didn’t align with their beliefs is the antithesis to democracy.
And here is what Dems and many liberals/neoliberals don’t understand: Trump voters see the world very differently due to a number of factors, including media apparatus, their own social media algorithms, and, in many cases, a deeply seated hatred for the Dem Party that’s largely deserted and deceived them for decades (disclaimer: I completely understand that white supremacy and racism drives a significant part of the Trump base, but that is not all that’s at play here). “At least we always know where Trump stands, and he says what he means, unlike the crooked Dems.” Do I believe this is a reason to vote for someone? Absolutely not, but people with different worldviews will never change their minds unless they’re presented with different information, and Dems continue to bumble the strategies and messaging that would counter such forces.
Most Democratic voters have far more in common with Trump voters than the leaders of the Democratic Party. The everyday people of the GOP base want to be able to afford housing, healthcare, and childcare, too. While the Dems tend to promise to deliver these things during campaign seasons, they fail us time and again.
So many want to know why those Trump voters seemingly vote against their interests, and the hard truth is this: the GOP has gotten really good at messaging and blaming the Democratic Party for the problems our country faces, and they’ve been preparing for this moment for over 40 years. Meanwhile, the Dems don’t seem to be interested in crafting any meaningful responses to their charges. Even though Democratic priorities would likely produce more good for “the masses” than those of the GOP, Dems lack the either the willingness or care to go out and prove it. For example: Kamala’s campaign spent an inordinate amount of time campaigning in areas where they knew they’d win, like Philadelphia. On a national level, the Democratic Party doesn’t make the effort to talk to voters who don’t typically vote for them, but who would benefit from their priorities. Rust belt areas are another good example: they used to be heavily Union and voted blue. Once those areas turned red, it seems the Dems largely decided to forsake those folks than win them back, an error that continues to cost them. They’ve run on codifying Roe, abolishing the the death penalty, and numerous other issues, but have done little to meet those expectations even when they had the numbers to do so.
What’s clear from this past election, though, is this: populism works, whether it’s positive or negative. People are terrified of what’s happening to them, and Trump is an expert on capitalizing on those fears, so he wins. However, progressive populism is far more attractive, as is evidenced by numerous progressive ballot measures that were successful in red states. Nebraska, Alaska, and Missouri expanded sick leave. Alaska and Missouri approved a $15 minimum wage. Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska rejected school vouchers. Nevada abolished prison slavery. Seven states voted to codify abortion access, including Arizona, Montana, Missouri, and Nevada (and Florida was three points shy of the 60% threshold needed to do the same).
Another point of interest is that, in 2020, Bernie Sanders amassed grassroots donations from all states, with hot-spot mapping indicating donation concentrations in many red states. (Then the Democratic Party decided he wasn’t a viable candidate and sabotaged his chances in favor of a more establishment candidate in Hillary. Lack of appetite was demonstrated here.)
Additionally, Kentucky re-elected its Democratic governor last year. This is a critical point because Kentucky has only voted for Democratic presidential candidates three times since the 1950s (Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton twice). How does Andy Beshear do it? On the campaign trail, he TALKS to people, including those who historically may not have voted for him. He builds bridges, listens to what Kentuckians say, and follows through on his promises to the best of his abilities. The Democratic Party does not appear to seriously engage in such strategies during presidential campaigns.
This voter abandonment technique practiced by the Democratic Party now seems to be mirrored in the Democratic base, primarily with liberals/neoliberals. They see Trump voters as stupid, hopeless, and incapable of being good people, thus stripping them of their humanity. They call them “deplorables,” “rednecks,” and “hillbillies,” claiming the moral high ground. However, as we teach our children, condescension and insults don’t earn you friends or forward your cause, so resorting to this behavior appears to be wildly counter-productive at best.
During a time when the rich keep getting richer and many of our elected officials often ignore our most urgent needs and demands, we need each other more than ever. When we blame Trump voters for our problems, we are no better than the GOP folks who blame us for theirs. On top of this, the finger-pointing and name-calling sows discord, further dividing us and making us more susceptible to future losses. Hate is a product of fear, and the only way to overcome what’s keeping us down is to pool our collective power and push for what we need and deserve, and that means establishing common ground with folks who see the world much differently than you do (unions work this way, and we’ve seen the recent successes they’ve enjoyed). Not everyone will be open to such efforts, but you’d probably be amazed how many are.
Therefore, I present two challenges to you:
First, ask your Trump-loving neighbor what it is that he hates about the Dems. Ask your Trump-supporting aunt which issues she cares about most. Ask them to name all the people they think are responsible for creating the problematic system in which we find ourselves. I guarantee you that you have at least one thing in common with those folks, likely many more.
Second, get out into your community and make connections. Volunteer. Seek out mutual aid opportunities. Knock doors for an issue campaign about which you are passionate, even if it’s for just 30 or 45 minutes per week. This will not only uplift people and causes that really need support, but will also make you feel a lot less hopeless and helpless. We can make the biggest impact locally, so keep looking for ways you can make a difference.
Struggling to maintain our way of life in the current system will only get us so far before it all erodes, one targeted group after another. Building relationships and working together to make our society a better place for everyone will check these forces, putting power back in the hands of we, the people.
We must remember that it is our elected officials who are supposed to be working for us, and that “we” are many more than “they” are. There is immense power in numbers: we are not helpless, nor should we be hopeless. The opposite of isolation is community, and we must build community if we are to not only survive, but thrive.
The power is ours. We must only be brave enough to grasp it.
Democrats have only achieved meaningful majorities after Republicans have caused an economic crash. I expect this dynamic to keep playing out, if MAGA leaves us enough democracy to vote them out.
The very thin gruel of “we are slightly better than them” only works on voters after four years of Republican idiocy. That’s not a winning political message in the long run.
There is a DC-based class of professional Democrats that does well whether Democrats win or lose. Punching left and saying those lost Dem base voters will be made up by moderate Republicans is the heart and soul of the professional Democrats program because it leaves the money and power where they think it belongs – with them.
Yep. That’s why I pretty much agree with this analysis. Also, that George Packer piece I linked to a couple of days ago:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/01/trump-reelection-voter-demographic-change/680752/
My trump loving neighbor and aunt can’t articulate what they personally don’t like about democrats or what issues they care about. They know what Fox/Newsmax/their favorite podcaster tells them and therefore they spew the same goalpost moving answers that even they don’t understand. It’s the immigrants coming to take our jobs. No, it’s the gangs coming to kill our kids, No it’s the foreigners and jews coming to replace our white population. No, it’s the criminals in jail who are trying to get trans surgeries for free. No, it’s litter boxes in schools. The complete lack of critical thinking about issues means it’s almost impossible to get into a real conversation with trump lovers. The real hurdle is the media… the left just can’t overcome the propaganda machine that’s been running for a few decades now. Until the Ds can get the word out to the same degree that the Rs have, it’s going to be an uphill battle to regain democracy.
True. But, the D’s have stopped talking to them. Yes, there are exceptions, North Carolina’s D outreach in rural areas come to mind. Something similar is taking place in Wisconsin.
But the national Democratic Party, whatever that is, has shown no willingness to work at that level. Still controlled by Clinton-era corporadems.
“… the left just can’t overcome the propaganda machine that’s been running for a few decades now.”
Let’s face facts – Rightwing media is our media now. They set the terms of every debate and so-called mainstream media follows along. It is so pervasive that I had CBS news on for about 40 seconds and heard “..even many Democrats are critical of Biden’s decision to pardon his son.” It was sickening on many levels, but a good reminder of why I am sticking with my airtight televised news blackout.
You and me both.
The so-called mainstream media failed us, and in return I am turning my back on it. I suggest every non-Republican do the same.
There are non-profit media outlets doing real journalism, instead of the profit-seeking clickbait the mainstream media is hooked on.
Look right here in Delaware. Spotlight Delaware is doing better work than the News Journal, which would be nearly journalism-free if they didn’t carry Spotlight’s material.
My limited experience with Trump voters tells me a lot of them think smarty-pants liberals look down on them and want to tell them what to do about things they’d rather not hear about. That’s not counting the true ideologues.
Agreed. It’s gotta be a two-way conversation.
I’m probably too much of a smarty-pants liberal to engage in these kind of conversations, but others aren’t.
A question since i wasnt around then: When Nixon resigned did half the country think he was innocent/victim of a political hit job/didnt care that he did it?
No. Different time.
There was a huge controversy over his being pardoned by Gerald Ford.
Oh, please.
When people can’t figure out their own best interests, damn right I’m condescending. When people fall for the most obvious of cons, damn right I’m condescending. I’m not their fucking babysitter. I’m not their fucking mommy. And in case you hadn’t noticed, they’re condescending as fuck at every turn.
The last time I checked, everybody in a democracy has the responsibility of doing the right thing. These people didn’t. Fuck them.
And if your response is that Democrats will keep losing, well, I don’t see how you can claim – with a shred of evidence – that your solution will work when they just elected the most obviously unqualified piece of shit in American history.
The lesser of two evils is still evil. And the greater of two evils is still the greater evil. If someone needs more explanation than that to decide who to vote for, fuck them.
Agree with all of this ^
To be clear, this is nothing against WP. This is a common response from people who think it’s somehow their fault that their fellow Americans are mostly a pack of swine.
I’m too old for that shit. None of this will get fixed before I ring down the curtain and join the choir invisible, and I’d be a fool to think I could fix it.
FWIW, I get along fine with Trump voters, because I agree with a lot of their complaints. Their biggest mistake is in believing the propaganda masters who tell them it’s only the Democrats, when anyone with a functioning brain could see both parties do it, and the GOP much worse than the Democrats.
The only other explanation is that if they’re going to get fucked, they want to get fucked with a bigger dick.
I don’t think any of this is my fault, and this outlook is two things: exactly what I was talking about (the selfish attitude that’s gotten us into this mess) and privileged (because you obviously think you’ll be okay no matter what, which is not the case for a large portion of us). It is our responsibility to look out for each other. Between climate change and increasing, capitalism-driven fascism amongst all of our elected leaders, the only people that can save us, is us. That’s why we’re called “humanity”: we’re all linked.
Sorry, no sale.
I know it’s what you were talking about, Pollyanna. And after seeing where not being selfish has gotten us in my first 69 years, I’d be a fucking fool to waste what little time I have left shoveling against the tide.
When Yossarian was challenged with “What if everyone felt that way?” he responded “Then I’d be a damn fool to feel any other way.”
You know where you’re wrong? You can’t save us, and we can’t save us. You’re just burping up hope bubbles. I’m sure the soft-headed will agree with you, though, and I’m sure you’ll be fine without me.
So shovel away, matey.
Nothing Pollyana-ish in looking for ways to make things better.
Nothing wrong in your belief that making things better is beyond hope now.
But trashing those who are still looking for solutions serves no purpose, except to perhaps give expression to your rage.
And the idea that anybody will “be okay” is horseshit, too, nothing more than class envy. Everybody will suffer, just to varying degrees.
I see I’ve stricken a nerve here. Good. But getting angry at me and calling me names (or anyone else, for that matter) isn’t going to make you feel better, or solve any of the issues that are upsetting you. I hope you find a more constructive outlet for your anger soon, because it’s really misdirected here. Take care, Alby.
You’re just a handy outlet for an already overstimulated nerve.
My solution is to disengage. I am not and have never been a joiner. I base my votes on simple logic. One party is worse than the other, and I vote against it.
It’s a simple true/false question, not differential equations. And I’m afraid I have to dismiss everything you say for the simple reason that there’s no evidence that progressive candidates are winners on the national level.
I take what little hope I have from the success of WFP in Delaware, but I also notice that they succeed mostly in races where candidates can knock on every door, and where Democrats, though bad ones, already win.
If you’re young, maybe things will change in your lifetime, though I doubt it – if history is any guide it will be another 70 years. I have less than 10 years left, and I’m not the least bit interested in spending it trying to convince people to do what common sense should tell them to do.
Trump won because the GOP and its voters are organized. AND much better organized than the D party.
The right certainly has a much better organized media ownership.
I used to say if Democrats want power back, we will have to vote 100% Democratic for the next generation. No ticket-splitting, protest votes, or sitting elections out. That is what Republicans did and that is how Republicans captured the courts.
Now I think it will have to be for the next TWO generations.
But before that, more likely is some black swan event like war or a mass mortality event that will flip the whole checkers board.
Do you ever post something that ISN’T insipid? Put some thought into it, or head elsewhere.