The dominant narrative on how Donald Trump got 270 electoral votes (with a sub-plurality but a win is a win where it counts, the EC) is that he won on trade, the economy, etc. But as I was pouring thru actual data, which despite data’s shortcomings is better than anecdote, I noticed something. for voters who voted on terrorism, Trump won in an FDR-Hoover like landslide nationally, and also did so in the states that decided the electoral college: PA, MI, and WI.
So how did a guy with zero national security experience, foreign policy experience, or any government experience pull this off?
This is not new: it happened in 2004: the Democratic narrative was that Swift Boats beat John Kerry. but once again, nationally and in the electorally decisive state of the day, the GOP nominee won in a landslide on the issue.
How do we avoid being labeled as marshmallows on terrorism in the coming years? Can a DNC chair Ellison really accomplish this? What about Howard Dean?