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That’s interesting. If you listen to your voters, they will tell you what they think. I’ve spent the past two years talking to voters about elections, candidates, messages, attacks, and more. And based on everything I’ve learned, I’m not surprised that Donald Trump secured the presidency. The results of Tuesday’s election followed a predictable pattern that was clear to those of us who were willing to pay close attention to its signs.
The writing was on the wall from the beginning. Satisfaction with the country’s direction is at a record low, and combined with deep-rooted problems such as inflation and economic stagnation, the picture of dissatisfaction has become clearer. But the Biden-Harris administration has spent much of its time weaving a different narrative that paints a rosier picture of a prosperous nation. They pointed to academics and elites to validate how great things were while ignoring the on-the-table concerns that most Americans face on a daily basis.
Anyone who dared to question them, who believed that things might have been better just four years ago, was labeled uneducated or ill-informed. If they dare to align themselves with Trump, they will be called racists, misogynists, fascists, or worse, Nazis. That’s a tough sell to disaffected voters.
Biden congratulates President Trump, vows ‘peaceful and orderly’ transfer of power
Vice President Kamala Harris launched her campaign with a burst of energy and an effort to turn the page on Joe Biden’s glowing numbers and lack of support. At first, all the signals and vibes made it seem like she might seriously go after Trump.
She shifted the conversation from fears of “threats to democracy” to a more optimistic and hopeful vision: “the fight for our freedoms.” It worked, but only for a moment. She skyrocketed in the polls, going from -5 to +3 in a matter of days. It was a memorable battle cry: “If we fight, we win,” and it was almost enough to shake up the race.
But the moment came when she could not answer the simplest and most important question. What’s different about Joe Biden? It wasn’t an unfair question. But each time Ms. Harris was asked, she was unable to provide a meaningful answer. As a communications strategist, I couldn’t believe no one had prepared her for such a basic question. It was an easy question to answer, one that could be answered without throwing Biden under the bus, but she couldn’t find the words.
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Instead of rallying support, Harris returned to a negative and combative message. And Biden fanned the flames with his “trash” remarks. Mark Cuban joined the chorus of criticism, saying Trump had not dated “strong, intelligent women,” further alienating voters. You can’t disrespect people or expect a positive reaction, but that’s exactly what happened. So by the time she showed up at the Ellipse to make her closing argument, it was already too late. The opportunity for a clear and decisive rallying cry has passed.
Mr. Trump, on the other hand, staged the situation brilliantly. He did not retaliate with anger or resentment. Instead, he turned criticism into part of his personality. The showman literally showed up with a garbage truck. He wore this insult as a badge of honor in the form of a neon orange vest, which only emboldened his base and cemented their loyalty.
Trump’s campaign wasn’t all about negativity, but it was what drew the most attention from the media. His meetings began with a simple and resonant question. Is your life better now than it was four years ago?
His promise was simple and clear: He would do it. fight– Not just for himself, but for the American people. He painted a picture of a new golden age for the nation and inspired people to dream big again. And many Americans, especially those suffering from rising costs and stagnant wages, bought what he was selling.
The more Trump is attacked, the more his base will be pushed back. They were undeterred by the relentless barrage of criticism, which they viewed as nothing more than a “crywolf” tactic. By Election Day, they had become immune to the barrage of insults, and what they saw was not the authoritarian the media portrayed them to be.
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In the end, what we witnessed was a rejection of the Biden-Harris administration and the elites who look down on them. It was a clear message from voters who were fed up with a system that didn’t seem to be working for them. It was not a rejection of liberalism or progressivism per se, but rather a deep dissatisfaction with a system that failed to recognize the realities facing everyday Americans. An establishment that despises them and judges them by their lived experiences.
What we have now is a Republican Party defined no longer by traditional conservatism but by powerful anti-establishment anger. It’s a rebellion against the elites who have, for too long, told people what to think, how to feel, and what is considered acceptable.
It’s a wake-up call to those in power. They need to rethink how they engage with and address the real concerns of the people they want to serve. Our country is sharply divided, and moving forward will require a willingness to listen, empathize, and acknowledge the multiple and often contradictory experiences and realities that make America the country we are. Dew.
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For some, today means a new beginning, or, as President Ronald Reagan once said, “America’s morning.” For others, it feels like a memorial to America, a country they no longer recognize.
No matter where you stand, remember that we live in an amazing and free country. We are better when we come together, and we are better when we choose to build bridges rather than burn them.
Click here to read more about Lee Hartley Carter
