David Faris, a politics professor at Roosevelt University and Slate contributor, dives into the stark political shifts in America. He examines why the Harris campaign struggled, revealing the growing support for down-ballot candidates tied to Trump. The conversation highlights troubling trends for Democrats, particularly among rural and Latino voters, and reflects on Trump's enduring influence and the potential for his return. Internal strife within the Democratic Party also poses questions about their future direction.
Trump's recent electoral success highlights a significant national shift towards Republican preferences, particularly among rural and Latino voters.
Democratic losses indicate a pressing need for the party to reassess its strategies and unify its ideological vision to regain voter support.
Deep dives
Trump's Victory Speech and Electoral Math
Trump's victory speech following the election highlighted a stark contrast to past moments where he prematurely celebrated a win. His tone was notably optimistic, suggesting that a new era for America was beginning, and claiming a 'magnificent victory' for the people. The electoral math was not favorable for Kamala Harris, indicating that hopes for a different outcome were dimming as early projections began to tilt in Trump's favor. The narrative around this election suggested that while Democratic hopes surged, the realities of the results showcased a fundamental shift away from those expectations.
Shifts in Voter Demographics
The podcast outlined concerning trends in voter demographics, notably how Trump was able to increase his margins in rural areas such as Georgia and North Carolina. These shifts were interpreted as indicative of a broader national swing towards Republican preferences, evident in the early election returns and comparisons to 2020. The discussion also pointed to significant losses for Harris in traditionally blue areas, emphasizing a critical backlash against the Biden-Harris administration, particularly among Latino voters. This reflects a potential erosion of support among demographics that previously leaned Democratic, signaling a troubling trend for future elections.
The Implications for the Democratic Party
The results have prompted introspection within the Democratic Party, suggesting a need for a fundamental reassessment of strategy and leadership. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of a cohesive ideological vision among Democrats, which may have contributed to the disappointing outcomes. With key losses among veteran politicians like Sherrod Brown, the party faces immense pressure to rethink its approach if it hopes to regain ground in future races. The call for a more unified and purpose-driven Democratic Party comes amid fears of growing exhaustion and disillusionment among constituents who feel unmotivated after the recent electoral setbacks.
Trump has just about done it again—and the country’s largely swinging further to the right on down-ballot candidates and even some ballot initiatives. Why couldn’t the Harris campaign pull it off, and what do other key losses for the Democrats say about what Americans want?
Want more What Next? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.