Despite a 34% approval rating when he left office the nation has behaved like a beleaguered mother who has finally given her petulant child what he wants after repeated tantrums. It is ironic and perhaps angering that on Monday January 20th, 2025 Donald Trump will be afforded the grace of a peaceful transfer that he refused President Biden.
The election is over and the post mortem analysis has begun. Unfortunately it will consist of the usual talking points from media talking heads. Some will say it’s the economy as others including democrats from New York Congressman Richie Torres to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders will begin the usual non-sequiter of learning to talk to the working class which is code for the white community. What the two of them forget or intentionally ignore is that democrats have won 3 of the last 5 presidential elections. The message that democrats have run on was very good. Congressman Torres pointed out the irrational call to defund the police by the extreme left but ignores the call by Republicans to defund the FBI. Perhaps in Torres’ mind the right can be extreme and win but the left must behave. Nonetheless, it is perhaps time to think outside of normal parameters about what is driving America.
Some of the post election analysis will focus on the role of Latino men who previously supported Hilary Clinton as well as a slight increase of black men who voted for the Republican nominee. Nonetheless, the majority of the black and Latino community voted for the democrats. What will be ignored or dismissed is the role of white women who decided to join in the election of a convicted felon and sexual predator to the highest office in the nation. Ingrid Jacque of USA Today in a preemptive strike wrote a column called “Don’t Blame White Women.” Despite her clumsy attempt to deflect this reality, it is a topic worth of discussion. Twice white women had an opportunity to elect a woman to the office of president and twice they chose a blatant misogynist who they wouldn’t trust with their daughters.
Another topic for analysis is the purging of the voter roles.
Truthout reported that “States removed more than 19 million people — or about 8.5% of the registered U.S. electorate — from voter rolls between the 2020 and 2022 electoral cycles, often via flawed practices that prevent many eligible persons from exercising their right to vote.” While there are legitimate reasons to purge voter rolls it is a subject worth investigating.
The democrats did focus a lot on the idea of authoritarianism and democracy being at risk. One commentator however suggested that to talk about authoritarianism was beyond people’s comprehension when they are worried about food prices. That is actually an insult to the intelligence of people as well as a deliberate ignoring of a growing trend.
What is ignored is that according to Pew Research Center 32% of the American electorate “say rule by a strong leader or the military would be a good way of governing their country” In others words a significant segment of the nation didn’t dismiss or ignore the idea of an authoritarian government they support it. Another study “found that 38 percent of Americans (and 48 percent of Republicans, 38 percent of independents, and 29 percent of Democrats) think the country needs a leader who will “break some rules if that’s what it takes to set things right.” Unfortunately, this sentiment will be generally ignored by the chattering class.
The reality is that self interest will generally win out. Identifying the actual self interest is not always self evident.
One commentator suggested that the self interest for the majority of the white community is centered in social hierarchy. The Pew Charitable Trust found that 46% of whites “believe a majority minority country would weaken American customs and values.” There is an anxiety within a large segment of the nation that sees its hegemony slipping away.
When it comes to the issue of immigrants it is an issue that has driven many people to the polls. Many people forget that Trump made the scapegoating of immigrants a major part of his appeal in 2015 when he described them as criminals. Xenophobia unfortunately is in the DNA of America across ethnic, gender and racial lines. In an MSNBC segment a Latino family who entered into America illegally but received amnesty under President Reagan was interviewed about the election. One of their more extraordinary statements when asked about the difference between them and present immigrants was that the ones coming now are criminals. Despite all evidence to the contrary they apparently drank the kool aid. Massive deportation will entail profiling. If and when deportations occur Americans will ignore the lessons taught in the Martin Niemoller’s poem “First They Came.”
America is on the verge of a potentially devastating four years. From mass deportations, to journalists being persecuted to a Supreme Court that is looking to overturn other rights including marriage equality, as well as access to contraceptives.
As the post election analysis continues it is hoped that it will go beyond the typical simplistic finger pointing exhibited by and how to better appeal to people who may not support professed American values.
Princeton’s Eddie Glaude pondered whether Americans understand what they have wrought. He is asking the right question even though it is too soon to tell.