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FiveThirtyEight Politics

Do Voters Care About Democracy?

Oct 28, 2024
36:38
Snipd AI
Mary Radcliffe, a senior researcher at FiveThirtyEight, and Elliot Morris, the editorial director of data, engage in a compelling discussion about democracy's importance to voters. They analyze a provocative comment from Trump's former chief of staff labeling Trump a "fascist" and its potential electoral implications. The pair dives into the voting behaviors of young men, highlighting their growing political disillusionment and shift towards independence. They also explore how anti-democratic actions, especially post-January 6th, impact voter perceptions.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights concerns regarding Trump's alignment with fascist tendencies, revealing a complex voter sentiment towards democracy and anti-democratic behavior.
  • Polling data shows young men display significant disillusionment with political parties, complicating candidates' strategies to effectively engage this demographic.

Deep dives

Trump's Rally and Democratic Norms

Donald Trump's recent rally showcased familiar themes of crassness and norm-breaking behavior, prompting discussions about his alignment with fascist tendencies. Retired General John Kelly, who served as Trump's chief of staff, characterized Trump as fitting the general definition of a fascist, a sentiment echoed by Kamala Harris during a CNN town hall. This raises the question of how much the American voter is concerned about Trump's deviations from democratic norms, with the podcast host referencing a study indicating only a minimal percentage of voters might switch their allegiance based solely on such anti-democratic behavior. The complexity of public sentiment reveals that while symbolic support for democracy exists, practical electoral consequences remain limited.

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