Why The Democrats Lost/Why The Democrats Think They Lost

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Just my opinions - why Harris lost to Trump - in order of impact:

1. Transgender issue - Demand for/support for transgender education in elementary schools in Florida and elsewhere/penises in female sports and female locker rooms/"Harris supports free transgender surgery for inmates" commercial
2. Cost-of-living
3. 8 years of calling everyone deplorable, immoral, Nazis, fascists, racists and garbage
4. Call for taxing unrealized capital gains - another poke in the eye of the union family who now watches their 401k just like a 1%er
5. The Fredo Syndrome - "we're smart"

Just my opinions - why Democrats think Harris lost to Trump:

1. Identity politics addiction + No. 3 above - "she is a black female in a racist, misogynist nation full of Nazis and fascists and garbage"
2. Vote fraud
3. No legitimate reason

 

[bailey777]

Just my opinions - why Harris lost to Trump - in order of impact:

1. Transgender issue - Demand for/support for transgender education in elementary schools in Florida and elsewhere/penises in female sports and female locker rooms/"Harris supports free transgender surgery for inmates" commercial
2. Cost-of-living
3. 8 years of calling everyone deplorable, immoral, Nazis, fascists, racists and garbage
4. Call for taxing unrealized capital gains - another poke in the eye of the union family who now watches their 401k just like a 1%er
5. The Fredo Syndrome - "we're smart"

Just my opinions - why Democrats think Harris lost to Trump:

1. Identity politics addiction + No. 3 above - "she is a black female in a racist, misogynist nation full of Nazis and fascists and garbage"
2. Vote fraud
3. No legitimate reason

They are literally doubling down on the nazi and facist talk after the election. They have learned nothing. I guess they think trashing people is how you win them over.

 

[dr.jb]

they didn't really lose....

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

Just my opinions - why Harris lost to Trump - in order of impact:

1. Transgender issue - Demand for/support for transgender education in elementary schools in Florida and elsewhere/penises in female sports and female locker rooms/"Harris supports free transgender surgery for inmates" commercial
2. Cost-of-living
3. 8 years of calling everyone deplorable, immoral, Nazis, fascists, racists and garbage
4. Call for taxing unrealized capital gains - another poke in the eye of the union family who now watches their 401k just like a 1%er
5. The Fredo Syndrome - "we're smart"

Just my opinions - why Democrats think Harris lost to Trump:

1. Identity politics addiction + No. 3 above - "she is a black female in a racist, misogynist nation full of Nazis and fascists and garbage"
2. Vote fraud
3. No legitimate reason

I haven’t read or seen a single serious claim of voter fraud anywhere. I don’t think anyone thinks that would be the case if Trump lost.

 

[mrhighlife]

It's the economy and the GOP propaganda machine is better than the Dems propaganda machine.

Economy. Always economy.

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

I haven’t read or seen a single serious claim of voter fraud anywhere. I don’t think anyone thinks that would be the case if Trump lost.

“Vote suppression”

Semantics

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

It's the economy and the GOP propaganda machine is better than the Dems propaganda machine.

Economy. Always economy.

This (well, kinda…not sure I agree with the second part).

The other things may matter some…but they’re relatively minor.

 

[Aloha Hoosier]

“Vote suppression”

Semantics

Not seen anyone at all claiming Harris lost due to vote suppression. No one that should be taken seriously. She lost because she got fewer votes (an the all important EC) same reason Trump lost in 2020.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

There’s some talk about the right’s alternative media machine and the lack of a similar thing on the left.

There’s a reason for this. The right had no choice but to develop its own alternative media - they’ve long been given short shrift (at best) in traditional media…which is overwhelmingly center-left in nature.

 

[Ohio Guy]

They are literally doubling down on the nazi and facist talk after the election. They have learned nothing. I guess they think trashing people is how you win them over.

To be fair, Trump didn't exactly get elected by singing kumbaya.

And as been stated here a million times, whether or not he'll actually do much of what he promised, promising to deport people he claimed are poisoning the blood of our country and saying he's going to go after the 'enemy within' (and naming specific Democratic leaders/legislators) is something a fascist would do.

But to a lot of peoples' points here, it's probably not likely that he'll be able to follow through. Maybe wannabe fascist is more apt.

 

[dr.jb]

Just my opinions - why Harris lost to Trump - in order of impact:

1. Transgender issue - Demand for/support for transgender education in elementary schools in Florida and elsewhere/penises in female sports and female locker rooms/"Harris supports free transgender surgery for inmates" commercial
2. Cost-of-living
3. 8 years of calling everyone deplorable, immoral, Nazis, fascists, racists and garbage
4. Call for taxing unrealized capital gains - another poke in the eye of the union family who now watches their 401k just like a 1%er
5. The Fredo Syndrome - "we're smart"

Just my opinions - why Democrats think Harris lost to Trump:

1. Identity politics addiction + No. 3 above - "she is a black female in a racist, misogynist nation full of Nazis and fascists and garbage"
2. Vote fraud
3. No legitimate reason

#6. they just don't get it

 

[Ohio Guy]

#6. they just don't get it

Winning the election didn’t canonize Trump. A lot of Americans - and people all over the world - don’t fully get why so many people would vote for an objectively horrible person.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Winning the election didn’t canonize Trump. A lot of Americans - and people all over the world - don’t fully get why so many people would vote for an objectively horrible person.

That’s his point. The Dems are just that god awful. That’s what he and all of us have been telling you. Trump sucks but nothing is worse than progressives

 

[mrhighlife]

This (well, kinda…not sure I agree with the second part).

The other things may matter some…but they’re relatively minor.

The GOP made it sound like we are in the middle of the worst economy in the history of our country. Worse than the great depression. People here said as much and probably believe it. Which is of course non sense.

The reality is the economy under Biden, when ALL factors are considered, isn't terrible. Not amazing. Just meh. The Dems propaganda machine should have gone equal but opposite on the economy bullshit. However they chose to lean into social issues and Trump is a Nazi.

 

[Bowlmania]

These aren’t the only reasons for her loss but they’re two big ones::

• Biden stepped aside very late in the game. The only person who could use his campaign infrastructure and access his substantial campaign war chest was Harris. Dems were pretty much stuck with her.
• Musk

 

[Ohio Guy]

These aren’t the only reasons for her loss but they’re two big ones::

• Biden stepped aside very late in the game. The only person who could use his campaign infrastructure and access his substantial campaign war chest was Harris. Dems were pretty much stuck with her.
• Musk

I do think a fractured base was part of the problem too. Anecdotally I've seen people post stuff on various social media platforms about Biden/Harris supporting genocide in Palestine and if they would have taken a more hardlined stance against that, so many people wouldn't have abstained from voting.

Uhh...good luck with that. Meet the new boss. Definitely NOT the same as the old boss. Especially on that front.

That's just one way the Democratic base wasn't fully unified.

And there isn't really any way to counter the support of the world's first eventual trillionaire. With that type of immense wealth comes a level of hero worship no politican will eclipse. Not even Trump. Honestly, as long as election laws are written the way they are, I think Musk will probably be able to prop up whoever he wants to be president.

Hopefully the right mix of Trump eventually rubbing him the wrong way and Musk taking a liking to Shapiro/Whitmer/ Basheer/etc for some reason happens before '28.

 

[Willdog7]

Just my opinions - why Harris lost to Trump - in order of impact:

1. Transgender issue - Demand for/support for transgender education in elementary schools in Florida and elsewhere/penises in female sports and female locker rooms/"Harris supports free transgender surgery for inmates" commercial
2. Cost-of-living
3. 8 years of calling everyone deplorable, immoral, Nazis, fascists, racists and garbage
4. Call for taxing unrealized capital gains - another poke in the eye of the union family who now watches their 401k just like a 1%er
5. The Fredo Syndrome - "we're smart"

Just my opinions - why Democrats think Harris lost to Trump:

1. Identity politics addiction + No. 3 above - "she is a black female in a racist, misogynist nation full of Nazis and fascists and garbage"
2. Vote fraud
3. No legitimate reason

You forgot one thing, The browning of America.

 

[bailey777]

The GOP made it sound like we are in the middle of the worst economy in the history of our country. Worse than the great depression. People here said as much and probably believe it. Which is of course non sense.

The reality is the economy under Biden, when ALL factors are considered, isn't terrible. Not amazing. Just meh. The Dems propaganda machine should have gone equal but opposite on the economy bullshit. However they chose to lean into social issues and Trump is a Nazi.

For people who live check to check they noticed it every single time they went to the grocery store. You can't spin that. Might not matter to people with alot of money but to many it did.

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

You forgot one thing, The browning of America.

do you mean the brown people who have wised up and realized the democrats have been lying to them for 60 years? The black baptists who see how democrats hate religious people? Or did you misspell drowning?

 

[td75]

They lost because the large majority of Caucasian people in this country are sick and tired of being labeled Nazis, racist, the boogeyman, etc.

They better figure out REALLY quick that this country is 75% white...If you choose to poo-poo the majority, which is what they've done, you'll lose elections.

They chose to make the minority the majority and it backfired like a 1950s automobile.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

And there isn't really any way to counter the support of the world's first eventual trillionaire. With that type of immense wealth comes a level of hero worship no politican will eclipse. Not even Trump. Honestly, as long as election laws are written the way they are, I think Musk will probably be able to prop up whoever he wants to be president.

Hopefully the right mix of Trump eventually rubbing him the wrong way and Musk taking a liking to Shapiro/Whitmer/ Basheer/etc for some reason happens before '28.

I don't know how much Musk's support really meant. Maybe it did. But, as far as the money itself goes, Harris had a lot more than Trump did. But, then, I've always been one to say that money in politics is overrated. It's true that a lack of it would be fatal -- but there are diminishing returns to having more of it.

I never thought Harris was a very good candidate. And I think she proved as much 4-5 years ago. There was a lot of excitement when she got in -- but I chalked a lot of that up to elated relief from Biden getting out and having somebody who didn't make Dems nervously wince whenever they would appear in public.

But, ultimately, I just think people were dissatisfied with the direction of the country. And that's hard to overcome. In fact, on that score, she outperformed.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

The GOP made it sound like we are in the middle of the worst economy in the history of our country. Worse than the great depression. People here said as much and probably believe it. Which is of course non sense.

The reality is the economy under Biden, when ALL factors are considered, isn't terrible. Not amazing. Just meh. The Dems propaganda machine should have gone equal but opposite on the economy bullshit. However they chose to lean into social issues and Trump is a Nazi.

It doesn't matter what either party says about the economy. People either feel like it's going well or they don't. They aren't going to be talked into or out of any opinion they have on that.

 

[Ohio Guy]

For people who live check to check they noticed it every single time they went to the grocery store. You can't spin that. Might not matter to people with alot of money but to many it did.

In hindsight it might've been better for Democrats - and maybe democracy - if Trump had won in 2020. He would have had to totally own high inflation and high costs and we'd be totally rid of him and probably the MAGA movement forever.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

In hindsight it might've been better for Democrats - and maybe democracy - if Trump had won in 2020. He would have had to totally own high inflation and high costs and we'd be totally rid of him and probably the MAGA movement forever.

Now that you mention it, that crafty, self-serving sonofabitch probably lost on purpose.

 

[mrhighlife]

For people who live check to check they noticed it every single time they went to the grocery store. You can't spin that. Might not matter to people with alot of money but to many it did.

Right. But all(most. Low unemployment) of them were getting checks. So not the worst economy in the history of our country. Not even the worst economy in the past 6 years.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

They lost because the large majority of Caucasian people in this country are sick and tired of being labeled Nazis, racist, the boogeyman, etc.

They better figure out REALLY quick that this country is 75% white...If you choose to poo-poo the majority, which is what they've done, you'll lose elections.

They chose to make the minority the majority and it backfired like a 1950s automobile.

Hell, the Nazis, the racists, and the boogeymen in this country hate being called those things, too.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Hell, the Nazis, the racists, and the boogeymen in this country hate being called those things, too.

I'm sure. But there's obviously a critical difference when it's true.

I really don't think it was a smart messaging strategy by the Democrats. I know that Biden's "garbage" comment was a gaffe -- not anything planned (or, at least, not planned by the Harris campaign). But what was certainly planned was likening the MSG rally to the 1939 German American Bund rally -- which is strongly implying that the people attending were Nazis.

I mean...that's ordinary peoples' fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, cousins, uncles, best friends, co-workers, etc. Even if they aren't the ones actually at the rally itself.

And the Dems have to understand that, while that kind of messaging may be music to the ears of stalwart Democrats, it's very off-putting to people who are not. And I'm not talking about the Trumpers themselves when I say that. I'm talking about the people who aren't steeped in daily political squabble, who aren't on Team Red or Team Blue.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Right. But all(most. Low unemployment) of them were getting checks. So not the worst economy in the history of our country. Not even the worst economy in the past 6 years.

Two and three checks to try to keep up with prices. The American people told you. I don’t know why you keep fighting it. Inflation reached a 41 year high. That’s game over

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

I'm sure. But there's obviously a critical difference when it's true.

I really don't think it was a smart messaging strategy by the Democrats. I know that Biden's "garbage" comment was a gaffe -- not anything planned (or, at least, not planned by the Harris campaign). But what was certainly planned was likening the MSG rally to the 1939 German American Bund rally -- which is strongly implying that the people attending were Nazis.

I mean...that's ordinary peoples' fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, cousins, uncles, best friends, co-workers, etc. Even if they aren't the ones actually at the rally itself.

And the Dems have to understand that, while that kind of messaging may be music to the ears of stalwart Democrats, it's very off-putting to people who are not. And I'm not talking about the Trumpers themselves when I say that. I'm talking about the people who aren't steeped in daily political squabble, who aren't on Team Red or Team Blue.

Each side demonizes the other. On here, you saw MAGAs portraying Libs (shitlibs) as some sort of cartoon level evil threat to the very fabric of the country. Yet, here I sit, having worked my entire life, married faithfully to the same woman for 37 years, raised 2 kids, in the church, no less (and their mother and I have both taught Sunday school, and held positions of leadership), pay my taxes, never committed a crime, etc, etc, etc. Yet, somehow, I am going to cause the downfall of this great country I was lucky enough to have been born in, and so is my family.
My point is, don't try to portray the whole name-calling phenomenon as a one way street, or something only Biden did with his "garbage comment (not a good thing, obviously). If name calling was such a turn off, Trump wouldn't have gotten a vote, except from those who sort of like those kinds of things. As it is, Biden did it, and his side lost...bigly.

 

[mrhighlife]

Two and three checks to try to keep up with prices. The American people told you. I don’t know why you keep fighting it. Inflation reached a 41 year high. That’s game over

Nah. I conceded it was the economy all along. It's you guys who can't have an honest conversation about perception vs. reality and it's effect on voting.

Reality- grocery prices are higher than ever and everyone felt that
Reality- some people really struggled. Some people always struggle.
Reality- most people who are struggling now were also struggling 6 years ago

Perception- no one can afford anything. We're all doomed. The country is on fire.

 

[td75]

It wasn't the economy, at least for me. I made fantastic money under Biden's watch as did my investments.

It's their support and stick your face in everything alternative...You can’t cater to the minority and poo-poo the majority and expect to win a presidential election. The democrats have poo-pooed the majority!!

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

It wasn't the economy, at least for me. I made fantastic money under Biden's watch as did my investments.

It's their support and stick your face in everything alternative...You can’t cater to the minority and poo-poo the majority and expect to win a presidential election. The democrats have poo-pooed the majority!!

Someday, you will be the minority.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Nah. I conceded it was the economy all along. It's you guys who can't have an honest conversation about perception vs. reality and it's effect on voting.

Reality- grocery prices are higher than ever and everyone felt that
Reality- some people really struggled. Some people always struggle.
Reality- most people who are struggling now were also struggling 6 years ago

Perception- no one can afford anything. We're all doomed. The country is on fire.

But it wasn’t just that. It was four years of insanity from blm riots, Covid crazies, 41 year high inflation, crazy borders, lies about Biden’s condition, woke shit, then Harris is just not impressive in the least. And in her defense she got dealt a very tough hand. But the radical left played them

 

[td75]

Someday, you will be the minority.

What about the democrat message do you like? I'm genuinely curious. Kamala ran on air...

 

[76mgdriver]

My personal opinion (aren't they all)--
Trump won because the Dems/media wouldn't SHUT UP about him for the last 4 years.
MSNBC CNN NYT Kimmel etc. etc. kept him in the spotlight--Trump should pay them for the publicity.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Each side demonizes the other. On here, you saw MAGAs portraying Libs (shitlibs) as some sort of cartoon level evil threat to the very fabric of the country. Yet, here I sit, having worked my entire life, married faithfully to the same woman for 37 years, raised 2 kids, in the church, no less (and their mother and I have both taught Sunday school, and held positions of leadership), pay my taxes, never committed a crime, etc, etc, etc. Yet, somehow, I am going to cause the downfall of this great country I was lucky enough to have been born in, and so is my family.
My point is, don't try to portray the whole name-calling phenomenon as a one way street, or something only Biden did with his "garbage comment (not a good thing, obviously). If name calling was such a turn off, Trump wouldn't have gotten a vote, except from those who sort of like those kinds of things. As it is, Biden did it, and his side lost...bigly.

Well, it's to be expected from randos. I'm talking about the messaging from a campaign and/or party itself.

We've all heard Trump tear into Dems, apostate Republicans, media, political flaks, etc. I've never heard him tear into ordinary Joes who don't support him in a way that's just personally insulting.

There's a reason that a lot of Dems were dismayed by Hillary Clinton using the "basket of deplorables" comment, because it's just really unusual for politicians to break the 4th wall like she did there and insult ordinary voters writ large. And that was not some kind of slip of the tongue. That comment was entirely planned.

 

[bailey777]

Right. But all(most. Low unemployment) of them were getting checks. So not the worst economy in the history of our country. Not even the worst economy in the past 6 years.

If you are struggling to pay bills and buy groceries you don't care if the talking heads tell you the economy is good. In fact it probably pisses you off. I was told the economy was horrible under trump by some liberals when inflation was like 2%.