The New Yorker Radio Hour

Can Trump Voters Still Change Their Minds?

Sep 20, 2024
Sarah Longwell, a political strategist and publisher of The Bulwark, dives into the reasons behind Trump’s steadfast support among Republicans. She reveals the crucial insights from her focus groups with undecided voters and discontented Trump supporters who may sway the next election. Longwell discusses the gap between Trump’s messaging and the interests of swing voters, the evolving dynamics within the GOP, and the impact of candidates like Kamala Harris on traditional Republicans. Her observations illuminate the complex landscape of contemporary American politics.
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ANECDOTE

Longwell's Political Awakening

  • Sarah Longwell, a lifelong Republican, felt conflicted when Trump won the primary in 2016.
  • She was watching the RNC convention while her wife was in labor with their first child.
INSIGHT

Conflicting Visions of America

  • Trump's vision of America contradicted Longwell's understanding of conservatism.
  • She viewed the Republican party as pro-immigration and optimistic about America's role.
INSIGHT

The U-Shaped Electorate

  • Voters like Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, and RFK Jr. started as Democrats but shifted right.
  • Many Bernie Sanders supporters in 2020 had Trump as their second choice due to economic populism.
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