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anobserver2

(923 posts)
63. Here's what I don't understand
Thu Nov 7, 2024, 05:42 PM
Nov 2024

Every news report I've heard on public radio (and elsewhere) citing the top concerns of voters who voted for Trump mention (1) cost of living / economics and (2) border security. These were the two issues cited by those voters after they voted for Trump.

OK. So, those voters did not mention "democracy" or "abortion." My question is this: Didn't Democratic focus groups talking to these voters prior to the election also reveal and recognize that the economy & border issues were the two top concerns for certain voters? In short - were these two issues really a surprise now?

How could the Democratic Party not have known this? Were these voters not in the focus groups? Did these voters never mention this before?

It seems to me the biggest difficulty faced by VP Kamela Harris was that she really could not say anything against her boss, President Biden, on these issues -- so those voters, perhaps feeling like she was not hearing their concerns and not acknowledging those concerns, went elsewhere.

I have to say I was really surprised by the results of this election, and the fact it looks like we are in for four years of not only a GOP White House, but also a GOP Senate and a GOP House. I really was not expecting this outcome,


Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Sometimes you gotta hit rock bottom JoseBalow Nov 2024 #1
Sometimes you lose the patient. IrishAfricanAmerican Nov 2024 #3
Quite true JoseBalow Nov 2024 #4
This felt more like a death knell than rock bottom. Initech Nov 2024 #47
I'm having an epiphany ... rebirth not hate LSparkle Nov 2024 #161
Usually after a plague, there's a period of enlightenment. Initech Nov 2024 #163
Like Nazi Germany gerryatwork Nov 2024 #101
Thank you. FWIW, I completely agree. NewHendoLib Nov 2024 #2
Agree completely. Here is Rove(?) spelling it out explicitly 20 years ago. dgauss Nov 2024 #5
Rove was also author Redmap, the Republican Party plan to use gerrymandering for permanent control of government. Lonestarblue Nov 2024 #64
Let's not forget Rove's involment in Bush 2000 election theft. GoreWon2000 Nov 2024 #79
And John Roberts, Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett too Attilatheblond Nov 2024 #137
It's called a quid pro quo GoreWon2000 Nov 2024 #164
Well...that was scary as hell. BComplex Nov 2024 #106
I definitely agree that curated spaces and echo chambers have contributed to her loss. orange jar Nov 2024 #6
& it's reached almost insurmountable proportions. According to canvassers, the misinformation this election was insane, Native Nov 2024 #18
Oh, I wouldn't doubt it. orange jar Nov 2024 #24
Agreed... just to add WarGamer Nov 2024 #7
I don't know about that. A lot of people are saying it's pandered too much to the left/progressives of the party. Native Nov 2024 #29
This old white lady watches football mnhtnbb Nov 2024 #57
I would like examples of how the Dem party has pandered to the left - TBF Nov 2024 #89
sure, i cant remember them all, but one for sure that was mentioned was the transgender surgeries for inmates. Native Nov 2024 #93
She REALLY should have hit-back on the transgender "prison surgery" thing, Jack Valentino Nov 2024 #134
But it's not true. summer_in_TX Nov 2024 #114
then explain blue collar America leaving the Party? WarGamer Nov 2024 #118
When Biden made sure they got COVID relief funds, he should have put his name on it like Trump did. summer_in_TX Nov 2024 #119
Trump didn't go after these folks... he had them Jack Bone Nov 2024 #121
Those differences in voting by income are all small. It's not a big factor. muriel_volestrangler Nov 2024 #123
I think the income voting differences are mostly related to education (which trends to result in higher income), deurbano Nov 2024 #145
Saw an article this morning (sorry don't remember where) that said Tadpole Raisin Nov 2024 #127
The signs were there. Biden has been a great president. The economy is doing great. Yet most people don't agree. Doodley Nov 2024 #8
Do you think Trump's assassination attempt(s) ultimately helped him? orange jar Nov 2024 #11
I'm sure it did. It was an important part of their campaign. Our household of two received a dozen direct mail Doodley Nov 2024 #15
And people bought into it...... Butterflylady Nov 2024 #25
I remember a Dem Operative at the time MustLoveBeagles Nov 2024 #48
If a supernatural being saved Trump from death, it was LUCIFER and not God. Jack Valentino Nov 2024 #136
No! Rebl2 Nov 2024 #32
It didn't ForgedCrank Nov 2024 #45
it definitely solidified GOP support for him LymphocyteLover Nov 2024 #126
And yet, the Dems didn't continually publish the positive news, buy ads, etc. That's on us. SharonAnn Nov 2024 #17
You probably didn't see them dickthegrouch Nov 2024 #98
There's no question that's part of it. returnee Nov 2024 #9
It's the conspiracy theories LeftInTX Nov 2024 #12
Good point. Trump maximized the racist, homophobic, transphobic, mysogynist vote. Kamala had to overcome that. Doodley Nov 2024 #13
❤️ littlemissmartypants Nov 2024 #10
Really good thoughts Johnny2X2X Nov 2024 #14
Along those same lines people expected prices to actually drop to pre-Covid levels groundloop Nov 2024 #38
Prices *are* higher than they were 4 years ago intrepidity Nov 2024 #157
Finally, someone explaining how targeting works. We're an old group and very defensive to boot. Explanations like this Native Nov 2024 #16
If no one's told you lately that you're a genius, EarlG, elbow them in the ribs (gently but definitely). jaxexpat Nov 2024 #19
Dems needs to match the right's online media ecosystem. TRHST82 Nov 2024 #20
Hope our record with talk radio isn't an indicator KPN Nov 2024 #36
It is the perfect indicator intrepidity Nov 2024 #158
Buyer's remorse will set in for a lot of people. ananda Nov 2024 #21
I disagree. There will never be a free and fair election n/t Vogon_Glory Nov 2024 #151
That's already the case for this election. ananda Nov 2024 #162
And this algorithmic messaging is now automated and will grow and learn erronis Nov 2024 #22
A piece of the loss, yes. I agree with you on that. Passages Nov 2024 #23
Has DU become its own bubble? leftstreet Nov 2024 #26
DU has always been a bubble! EarlG Nov 2024 #58
I should have refreshed before posting. haha TwilightZone Nov 2024 #66
Lol true enough leftstreet Nov 2024 #69
I do agree that it's good to get multiple perspectives on issues sometimes COL Mustard Nov 2024 #72
With a notable exception for the Vance couch thing unblock Nov 2024 #77
No. LarryNM Nov 2024 #142
Earl, what about a small siloed section of DU where the rules are relaxed somewhat? intrepidity Nov 2024 #160
DU has always been its own bubble. TwilightZone Nov 2024 #65
All places are bubbles to some extent jfz9580m Nov 2024 #105
+1 leftstreet Nov 2024 #108
Thank you for reading leftstreet :).nt jfz9580m Nov 2024 #110
the creators of AI KT2000 Nov 2024 #27
I don't know Dem4life1234 Nov 2024 #28
He gained DetroitLegalBeagle Nov 2024 #39
It makes a bit of sense for first time voters under 25 Trekologer Nov 2024 #88
Confirmation bias can be a dangerous thing Ocelot II Nov 2024 #30
"misinformation peddled on an industrial scale" BoRaGard Nov 2024 #31
We just got some stunning family news from some in-laws: almost the whole younger gen voted Trump Hekate Nov 2024 #33
Did they say why? yardwork Nov 2024 #35
i heard today (either from one of the shows on wcpt orleans Nov 2024 #61
??! Sparkly Nov 2024 #97
they're taking their masks off and showing what they really are nt orleans Nov 2024 #103
This is what blows my mind mnhtnbb Nov 2024 #62
They didn't care he's an Ajudicate Rapist 34 Counts a Felon.. a Convicted Fraud Cha Nov 2024 #112
Gen Z follows Barron Trump and podcasters Maggiemayhem Nov 2024 #131
I'm still looking at the returns and I tend to agree... yardwork Nov 2024 #34
Right wing radio and trumps own rants Artistree22 Nov 2024 #37
At this point, it's more RW podcasting and streaming Algernon Moncrieff Nov 2024 #60
Never imagine you're alone in this sort of soul-searching Emrys Nov 2024 #40
Precisely this: geniph Nov 2024 #68
Thank you for your post LittleGirl Nov 2024 #141
You're very welcome Emrys Nov 2024 #143
As soon as Brexit was determined LittleGirl Nov 2024 #149
Well said especially this .... live love laugh Nov 2024 #41
AI has enhanced the methods of mind control for profit bucolic_frolic Nov 2024 #42
"people's opinions were already baked in" BumRushDaShow Nov 2024 #43
Thanks! It's very cathartic to read this analysis. Mike 03 Nov 2024 #44
"The playbook is 100 years old but the technology is brand new." dgauss Nov 2024 #111
My Wife and I have been discussing this exactly as you have described for a couple of days now. I agree completely with marked50 Nov 2024 #46
The TOP (Trump's Oleaginous Party) can't help but fuck with Social Security and Obamacare. LudwigPastorius Nov 2024 #49
This message was self-deleted by its author Ursus Arctos Nov 2024 #55
100% agree until last point Cosmocat Nov 2024 #50
Ah This explains Peter Theil and the Silicon Valley Divas bronxiteforever Nov 2024 #51
One thing the democrats absolutely have to stop with: Initech Nov 2024 #52
Thank you so much, EarlG, for explaining that so thoroughly. We have all seen it niyad Nov 2024 #53
I agree with your analysis. I still believe that racism and sexism played a role but so did social media tulipsandroses Nov 2024 #54
There will be midterms? Algernon Moncrieff Nov 2024 #56
For me, to break through the information bubble, it came down to critical thinking (education) ffr Nov 2024 #59
Here's what I don't understand anobserver2 Nov 2024 #63
I am certain they knew genxlib Nov 2024 #135
This is 1000% the message I have been spouting for years. genxlib Nov 2024 #138
Resetting the playing field must become resetting the battlefield. Jit423 Nov 2024 #67
Words ... matter Metaphorical Nov 2024 #70
The difference? Aussie105 Nov 2024 #71
A big shocking event, a meteor hitting Earth seems about right BigmanPigman Nov 2024 #73
Russia perfected this under Stalin! cilla4progress Nov 2024 #74
Uncle Smart Ass Uncle Smart Ass Nov 2024 #75
I'm hearing this over and over from party folks, AllyCat Nov 2024 #76
I agree that buyer's remorse is going to set in quickly Dem4life1970 Nov 2024 #78
Mark Zuckerberg too IbogaProject Nov 2024 #80
I agree with what you're saying. GoreWon2000 Nov 2024 #81
This is a symptom not the problem Fearless Nov 2024 #82
Thanks - I agree. Pinback Nov 2024 #83
That is Linda ladeewolf Nov 2024 #84
I agree, EarlG. I've seen discussions of this on Twitter. From Asha Rangappa this morning: highplainsdem Nov 2024 #85
Hmm. I have a quibble with how you're presenting your point. love_katz Nov 2024 #86
Thought-provoking OP. I still think we've got a lot of folks who just won't vote for a woman, TBF Nov 2024 #87
Misinformation peddled on an industrial scale. DeeDeeNY Nov 2024 #90
Agree with everything you said EarlG jfz9580m Nov 2024 #91
Good food for thought. Sparkly Nov 2024 #92
So, what we really need is a bigger blowhorn.... Hugin Nov 2024 #94
Inadequate messaging has been our issue for years now. SunSeeker Nov 2024 #95
He will fuck up on a grand scale before the mid terms orangecrush Nov 2024 #96
Bubbles suck The Mouth Nov 2024 #99
Our reality: Living inside a conspiracy theory. SleeplessinSoCal Nov 2024 #100
You are very correct about the algorithms moniss Nov 2024 #102
I sure remember those times Ligyron Nov 2024 #133
Yes indeed and a great movie from that time and moniss Nov 2024 #153
If only Kamala had done what Trump did. Aussie105 Nov 2024 #104
THANK YOU! You are absolutely correct! Silver Gaia Nov 2024 #107
Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2024 #109
What I keep hearing from trump voters proud patriot Nov 2024 #113
My area (DMV) is receiving racist text messages Maggiemayhem Nov 2024 #132
how long before repukes crash the economy? Skittles Nov 2024 #115
Read a great thread by a Brit about the analogies to Brexit on Twitter today. summer_in_TX Nov 2024 #116
The incremental, stealth takeover by oligarchs is now open and in its final race to the finish line. Hermit-The-Prog Nov 2024 #117
On Saturday This American Life ran a segment called mahina Nov 2024 #120
Why are we accepting the results? Roxi Nov 2024 #122
All incumbents across the world have lost vote share. The Biden to Harris loss was one of the smallest. muriel_volestrangler Nov 2024 #124
"Algorithmic microtargeting". Yes. The microtargeting supports Inconsistent views and helps to dissuade real-life convos lostnfound Nov 2024 #125
Agreed. You will never convince me Ruby the Liberal Nov 2024 #128
When I worked construction... MiHale Nov 2024 #129
Kamala is a woman get the red out Nov 2024 #130
That could be it. FM123 Nov 2024 #155
If buyer's remorse doesn't set in over the next 4 years for a significant number of people who voted for Trump, Martin68 Nov 2024 #139
People here keep thinking we'll have free and fair elections that will be winnable in 2026 and 2028. Efilroft Sul Nov 2024 #140
Trump said it. "You'll never have to vote again". ratchiweenie Nov 2024 #144
We're in for scary times, and the old rules -- the old laws -- won't necessarily be applicable any more. Efilroft Sul Nov 2024 #147
Excellent analysis Felicita Nov 2024 #146
YES. We hit 1% with volunteers once in 6 months. They hit 90% twice a day -- at least. Festivito Nov 2024 #148
Mis and disinformation coupled with lack of perspective is huge. But this was a change election. andym Nov 2024 #150
A tech perspective. Great points. It seems like an application of the Facebook effect in 2016 underpants Nov 2024 #152
You're one smart guy. defacto7 Nov 2024 #154
I need to add to that comment ... defacto7 Nov 2024 #159
People almost always bleme the Executive branch for their troubles and complaints. Ping Tung Nov 2024 #156
I just had a technician tell me Trump would stop the wars because he was strong True Blue American Nov 20 #165
Just dropping back in to say thanks again for your thoughtful comments in November Hekate Jan 19 #166
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