Greetings all. I have a confession—I’m a moderate. Bear with me :-)
I started reading Daily Kos in 2022, pulled in not by political views, but by the stunningly comprehensive Ukraine coverage. I’m continually impressed by the dedication of quaoar and annieli and appreciate greatly the analysis of Mark Sumner, RO37, 22Trucks and Peter Olandt. I’d like to help the community if I can in the aftermath of the nasty shock of the election outcomes.
I was stunned in 2016 when Trump pulled a victory despite polling poorly and trying to figure out how such a man could get elected. An article (tragically, it is now deleted) by medium’s @DocSuess helped me wrap my head around how a man so distasteful could get elected. Since then, I’ve moved to rural Wisconsin, made friends with plenty of progressive and MAGA folks (I disagree with both) and I think I have have the answers to these questions:
- How, despite everything, could anyone vote for Trump?
- Are they stupid, evil, or what?
- What does it mean for the country if 50% of the country could vote for Trump?
I think Trump voters come in two main flavors: MAGA and Policy. Yeah, I am oversimplifying, but I do think there are some threads of truth worth seizing here.
MAGA voters
I think a lot of MAGA voters tend to be have nots. Less educated, more rural, more poor, more white… some of these folks have been dealt challenges. So many jobs go to the cities and to people with college degrees… but also respect and attention and fashion come from the land of the haves. These have nots struggle to maintain families, jobs, homes and to make it through and survive, just like the rest of us. That’s life.
I think there are two things that really tick them off.
First, they perceive a steady stream of benefits bypassing them. Whether it’s grants for specific racial groups (but you’re white), free healthcare for some other group, free housing for the homeless (you pay for your home), free income for the unemployed (you have a job), loan forgiveness (you paid down your loan)… you get the idea. It’s like life dealt you a bad hand… then everyone else gets a hand up when you feel like you had to work for everything you even got.
Second, they perceive tremendous disdain—they feel that people, especially Democrats, look down on them. People don’t like being called racist, dupes, dumb, evil, misogynistic, Nazis, transphobic, homophobic, fascist, etc. They especially don’t like it if they are just trying to live life and be reasonably fair to everyone. Any MAGA voter that did a quick perusal of Daily Kos would probably find a lot of unfriendly implications. Would you vote for a party that holds you in such low esteem?
Trump called out these injustices, whether perceived or real. He taps into those frustrations, says the system is rigged against them (and him). The many lawsuits against Trump (some more reasonable than others) seemed to confirm a rigged system. Trump says he will work to fix the system. They like his style (the man talks almost exclusively in needless hyperboles and appears unable to think something without saying it, but I think they like the directness?). They like the idea of having an ally. They trust him so much they even buy it when he repeats debunked urban legends.
There is more going on, some of it darker—Trump stokes nativist fears that the “rigged” system will take what little they have acquired and give it to the first immigrant that walks by. I think Trump cares mostly about Trump.
However he does acknowledge their challenges. I think the key is that a lot of people feel lectured, patronized, insulted and cheated by Democrats but feel uplifted by Trump.
Policy voters
The Biden years have not been great. Partially defunding the police meant more crime. The lockdowns sucked and we eventually all gave up and learned to live with COVID. Leaving Afghanistan went poorly. We have two new major wars. The inflation was really bad. Illegal immigration is way up.
How much is based on who’s policies is hard to say, but people often (fairly or unfairly) blame the guy on top. Some trace the problems directly to policies of Democrats. Democratic ideals had enough setbacks that Kamala Harris was talking patriotism, border security, refunding the police and fracking.
I think a lot people have taken a look at the policies of Biden/Harris and the proposals of Trump and think Trump outlines a better direction for the country’s society and especially economy. Some of them are willing to overlook his obvious character flaws in order to get those policies. That many are willing even to overlook even Jan. 6th to avoid Democratic policies proposals should be a wakeup call.
How Democrats can win
So no, folks aren’t evil or dumb. They are trying to live their lives and happen to have some different opinions. We can still trust in our neighbors.
However, if you want their votes, choose policies more folks want to vote for. There should be ways to choose progressive values in ways that don’t turn away moderates. If there is enough interest (and people are willing to tolerate my alternate viewpoints!) I could offer some ideas. No promises on the quality, but you may enjoy the food for thought. I know y’all take policies and political action very seriously.
Also, show the utmost respect for all people, especially those you disagree sharply with. I know Daily Kos has been asking people not to insult people we’d rather win over.
I appreciate you reading this. I hope I have restored a little trust in your Trump-voting countrymen.
Thank you for putting up with someone with a different life story and background.
**EDIT** Thank you to paintitblue, who corrected my timeline of the George Floyd Protests.
