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LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:22 AM 14 hrs ago

I think the reason that many working-class men voted for Rump is because they love tough guys and they were fooled

by Rump's fake tough-guy-wildly-successful-businessman persona that he uses to hide his real weakness, insecurity, and business failures.

Rump is the rich "tough guy" that these men wish they could be themselves. And that's why Rump fawns over dictators like Putin, who is an actual obscenely rich tough guy. Putin is the tough guy that Rump wishes he could be.

I read a really interesting book called You Just Don't Understand, about the differences in the way men and women communicate and how the way they interact with people. Generally, speaking, of course.

According to this book, men (in general) see the world in terms of hierarchy: Where do I stand? Am I better than that other person? Am I tougher than them? Do I make more or less money than them? As a result, men engage in self-aggrandizing talk and behavior, like talking about their achievements and about the new expensive toys they just bought.

Women, on the other hand (in general), see the world in terms of connection: How is the other person feeling? How are they doing? Am I helping them feel good about themselves? As a result, they engage in supportive and nurturing talk and behavior, sometimes even being self-deprecating so that the other person feels better about themself.

So anyway, because of these working-class, low-information male voters, who view the world as a competitive hierarchy and admire and want to be like those who are higher up on the hierarchy than they are, I think our next Democratic presidential candidate needs to be a financially successful bad-ass male who looks, talks, and acts like he could beat the shit out of somebody. Extra points for having served in the military in a combat role. But being a Democrat, he would also be a person of high intelligence and integrity who truly wants to serve his country and help the average American and not make the billionaire class even richer.

I say this only because we need to win over those working-class males who vote "tough guy." I adore and voted for Kamala Harris and I adore and voted for Hillary Clinton, and if I were the queen of the world, bad-ass Kamala Harris or bad-ass Jasmine Crockett would be our next presidential candidate. Even better, Kamala would be our president NOW. But these white males who voted for Rump want a tough-guy father figure (remember the disgusting Trump rally cry, "DADDY'S HOME!"??? There are even T-shirts out there with this emblazoned on them.). And for now, at least, we need to give it to them to get them to stop voting for fascist, fake-strongmen like Trump.

98 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I think the reason that many working-class men voted for Rump is because they love tough guys and they were fooled (Original Post) LaMouffette 14 hrs ago OP
What about white women Keepthesoulalive 14 hrs ago #1
Religion get the red out 14 hrs ago #2
People in Florida are not very religious but they have no problem with a little demagogue named desantis Keepthesoulalive 13 hrs ago #19
Speaking of which, how come it's always about white kids angst? Never about black children and their distress. cbabe 13 hrs ago #28
Because it resonates with racist Keepthesoulalive 11 hrs ago #55
True. My thought was mostly rhetorical. But I'd sure like to hear it mentioned every time someone mentions cbabe 11 hrs ago #58
America is based on myths and lies Keepthesoulalive 11 hrs ago #63
Should we keep quiet? Or speak out always? That's how we rewrite the story. cbabe 11 hrs ago #65
When you try myth busting Keepthesoulalive 11 hrs ago #68
Most residents of Florida are Christians Mariana 2 hrs ago #96
Cite numbers please Keepthesoulalive 2 hrs ago #98
Over 3,500 gods worshiped by humans since the beginning of time... NotHardly 12 hrs ago #35
Good point. Maybe they also wanted a tough guy for president and didn't realize they were voting for a buffoon. LaMouffette 14 hrs ago #5
He played a businessman on TV Beck23 13 hrs ago #23
Keepthesoulalive ........... Upthevibe 12 hrs ago #40
Exit polls are not the actual results happy feet 12 hrs ago #47
Wait for the Pew validated voter studies to be finished. spooky3 3 hrs ago #95
Just checked AP Reuters and Npr Keepthesoulalive 12 hrs ago #49
Not this one BlueKentuckyGirl 12 hrs ago #41
Don't worry about it Keepthesoulalive 12 hrs ago #42
Yes, but the same rationale applies to all Felon voters Bread and Circuses 5 hrs ago #77
We've had moral majority, freedom fries Keepthesoulalive 5 hrs ago #79
Male voters rso 14 hrs ago #3
I know. I don't get it. But he was their guy, fake tan, lifts in his shoes, obese, "bad-built body," and all. LaMouffette 14 hrs ago #6
Yeah. Another excuse for what is actually bigotry. No one could travelingthrulife 14 hrs ago #8
45 is JustAnotherGen 5 hrs ago #82
I don't know BeerBarrelPolka 14 hrs ago #4
You are absolutely right about the bubble. Even though I live in a red state, I was in my own bubble to such an extent LaMouffette 14 hrs ago #9
Yes BeerBarrelPolka 13 hrs ago #14
I'm new here Elmotime 13 hrs ago #18
Welcome BeerBarrelPolka 13 hrs ago #20
It's DemocratIC. Always has been Arazi 13 hrs ago #21
as I said Elmotime 13 hrs ago #22
Alas Arazi 13 hrs ago #24
agreed. berksdem 13 hrs ago #25
I think it's pretty clear Elmotime 13 hrs ago #27
Stick around BeerBarrelPolka 12 hrs ago #32
I totally get it... berksdem 12 hrs ago #33
I'm not going to apologize for requesting that you use Democratic framing Arazi 12 hrs ago #36
I'm afraid I have to jump in here for a minute. Aristus 12 hrs ago #46
Well said happy feet 12 hrs ago #50
Thank you. Aristus 11 hrs ago #53
The Elmotime JustAnotherGen 5 hrs ago #81
I also mostly read for the same reason. . . . h2ebits 12 hrs ago #44
Heather Cox Richardson DENVERPOPS 11 hrs ago #61
I would love to read your observations. Demobrat 12 hrs ago #51
Just understand JustAnotherGen 5 hrs ago #84
Trump is not tough. He is out of shape, a pervert, racist failure JI7 14 hrs ago #7
I'm with you on the racist part, for sure, but I think Rump created an image of success and toughness that LaMouffette 14 hrs ago #11
Plus, he wears badly-fitting clothes that look like he slept in them. Aristus 12 hrs ago #48
No. Once again, the main driver was white supremacy. ananda 14 hrs ago #10
I agree that racism and misogyny were also major factors. No doubt. But also the tough-guy factor, and Rump's strangely LaMouffette 14 hrs ago #12
Racists and Misogynists are at heart Bullies. haele 10 hrs ago #70
Racism and misogyny 🎯 Arazi 12 hrs ago #31
He is not a tough guy, he is just a bully. nt DURHAM D 13 hrs ago #13
And they love him for it Keepthesoulalive 12 hrs ago #52
They voted for him because they are nazis. Basso8vb 13 hrs ago #15
Trump is the Pillsbury Dough Boy w/orange food coloring, RedWhiteBlueIsRacist 13 hrs ago #16
"Racism is dead." John Roberts said. czarjak 13 hrs ago #17
2028. I hope Mark Cuban runs. Captain Zero 13 hrs ago #26
Evangelical and Born Again Christians... pandr32 13 hrs ago #29
That's true and also because our party, in its values and its governing Walleye 12 hrs ago #30
Harris didn't lose because she lost white men. Self Esteem 12 hrs ago #34
Never has false propaganda Mblaze 12 hrs ago #45
Maybe so but then we've got to figure out how to counter the messaging... Self Esteem 6 hrs ago #72
We know that a significant number of Muslims voted for Trump... keep_left 11 hrs ago #56
It is possible 2024 turns out to be an anomaly election. Self Esteem 6 hrs ago #74
I'm curious, where are you getting the numbers in those polls? keep_left 5 hrs ago #75
They're linked in my posts. Self Esteem 4 hrs ago #88
Duh...should have just subtracted to get the margins. keep_left 3 hrs ago #91
Because of psychological warfare by Russia Farmer-Rick 11 hrs ago #57
Your points are reasonable and I agree with your conclusions, as far as they go FakeNoose 11 hrs ago #60
I can not imagine why ANY DENVERPOPS 11 hrs ago #66
Yes, she did. That one group, especially white men without spooky3 3 hrs ago #93
The next Democratic candidate for president SidneyR 12 hrs ago #37
And wryter2000 12 hrs ago #39
There may never again be "voting" DENVERPOPS 11 hrs ago #67
how exactly are they going to take over voting in blue states? thebigidea 11 hrs ago #69
Well, DENVERPOPS 5 hrs ago #80
I believe there will be open voter intimidation again Arazi 5 hrs ago #86
My solution wryter2000 12 hrs ago #38
I have always thought that Mblaze 12 hrs ago #43
If you want their vote treat them like 4 yr olds yaesu 11 hrs ago #54
Joe in 2020 Jimbo S 11 hrs ago #59
yeah well we are paying for that now Skittles 2 hrs ago #97
The sooner we stop trying to BlueSky3 11 hrs ago #62
Agree GenThePerservering 3 hrs ago #94
Yes Dem4life1234 11 hrs ago #64
Trump did not promise to improve the lives of his voters. He promised to punish the people his voters wanted to hurt. LetMyPeopleVote 7 hrs ago #71
Trump isn't a tough guy, he's a bully. Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 6 hrs ago #73
Nope. It's still because they're stupid. flvegan 5 hrs ago #76
Where I'm at today JustAnotherGen 5 hrs ago #78
This argument might have held a little merit in 2016 Blue_Tires 5 hrs ago #83
Thank you JustAnotherGen 5 hrs ago #85
Their mentality is unfathomable n/t ailsagirl 5 hrs ago #87
Maybe. egduj 4 hrs ago #89
They think The Wizard 4 hrs ago #90
I wish people wouldn't refer to Trump as a 'strongman' GenThePerservering 3 hrs ago #92

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
19. People in Florida are not very religious but they have no problem with a little demagogue named desantis
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:17 AM
13 hrs ago

He has done nothing for Florida but scratch their racist and homophobic itch. Don’t teach black history because white children may feel bad.

cbabe

(4,236 posts)
28. Speaking of which, how come it's always about white kids angst? Never about black children and their distress.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:48 AM
13 hrs ago

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
55. Because it resonates with racist
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:05 PM
11 hrs ago

Florida folks. They should be ashamed of him destroying universities but they just cheer him on. I think these last few years have opened some eyes. Corruption and hatred hasn’t gone away, they don’t bother to hide it anymore.

cbabe

(4,236 posts)
58. True. My thought was mostly rhetorical. But I'd sure like to hear it mentioned every time someone mentions
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:11 PM
11 hrs ago

traumatized white kids reading history or whatever.

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
63. America is based on myths and lies
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:23 PM
11 hrs ago

Truth will never get through because it requires self reflection and that’s not going to happen.

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
68. When you try myth busting
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:38 PM
11 hrs ago

They put their fingers in their ears and say America is the greatest country in the world and start reciting the pledge of allegiance. We have to keep hitting the wall
With whatever tools we have available and one day it may break.

NotHardly

(1,284 posts)
35. Over 3,500 gods worshiped by humans since the beginning of time...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:03 PM
12 hrs ago
not believing in the latest batches (god, jesus, mohamed, etc.) is just me adding to the list of those no longer worshipped ... goes to you too Zeus.

LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
5. Good point. Maybe they also wanted a tough guy for president and didn't realize they were voting for a buffoon.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:31 AM
14 hrs ago

And we can't overlook the influence of Fox News and rightwing social media who have been demonized Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and all Democrats for years.

happy feet

(1,109 posts)
47. Exit polls are not the actual results
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:41 PM
12 hrs ago

Which are 52 percent of white women actually voted for Trump. EOM

spooky3

(36,323 posts)
95. Wait for the Pew validated voter studies to be finished.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 09:46 PM
3 hrs ago

Exit polls have more flaws (they typically don’t contact mail in voters, for example).

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
49. Just checked AP Reuters and Npr
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:44 PM
12 hrs ago

The majority of white women voted for trump. Slightly more than the last election.

BlueKentuckyGirl

(431 posts)
41. Not this one
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:20 PM
12 hrs ago

I'm a 70-year-old white woman and I voted for Kamala Harris. I hope other people don't look at me and assume I voted for Trump.

Bread and Circuses

(190 posts)
77. Yes, but the same rationale applies to all Felon voters
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:13 PM
5 hrs ago

If you look at the voting data, the Felon got votes from lots of white and asian upper middle class people.
This tells us that about 1/3 of the adults emulate a thug, liar, and conman.

So much for …good will to all.

Keepthesoulalive

(723 posts)
79. We've had moral majority, freedom fries
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:18 PM
5 hrs ago

Tea party now Maga . It’s all bs trying to hide their fear, selfishness, hypocrisy and isms . They don’t care about anything or anyone but themselves. They have found the perfect person, he’s just like them.

rso

(2,481 posts)
3. Male voters
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:28 AM
14 hrs ago

Yeah, tough guy Trump, who is obese and wears makeup, under eye concealer and thick layers of tanning lotion.

LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
6. I know. I don't get it. But he was their guy, fake tan, lifts in his shoes, obese, "bad-built body," and all.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:33 AM
14 hrs ago

travelingthrulife

(876 posts)
8. Yeah. Another excuse for what is actually bigotry. No one could
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:36 AM
14 hrs ago

think that pot of blubber is a tough guy. Plus his decades of failure have been on full display for a decade now.

They just like his bigotry and that he is letting them run wild and crime as much as they want.

BeerBarrelPolka

(1,406 posts)
4. I don't know
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:28 AM
14 hrs ago

What I do know is that I spent the first 50 years of my life in big, democratic cities (Cleveland, Chicago) and lived in a sort of bubble. 10 years ago I moved out of Chicago about 55 miles to a redneck area. I understand how these republicans view us. I had to listen to their side for a decade.

I would like to post my observations, but I am hesitant because some folks on here seem sensitive to criticism.

LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
9. You are absolutely right about the bubble. Even though I live in a red state, I was in my own bubble to such an extent
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:37 AM
14 hrs ago

that I just knew Kamala was going to win by a landslide. Imagine my shock, firing up my laptop the day after the election and finding out Rump had won. That was a bubble-burster, to say the least.

BeerBarrelPolka

(1,406 posts)
14. Yes
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:55 AM
13 hrs ago

I had a bad feeling about it myself, so I wasn't shocked. I was however, greatly disappointed.

I'm a different kind of Democrat than perhaps what exists now. The party has changed and I stayed the same. The party doesn't relate to me (generally speaking) anymore.

Elmotime

(16 posts)
18. I'm new here
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:12 AM
13 hrs ago

and I totally get this. I don't recognize many of the posts here as what I recognized as Democratic views. I mostly read because any posts (especially as a NEWBIE) that are even slightly outside the new bubble are beat down.

I fear for the tightening of this bubble and our future

Elmotime

(16 posts)
22. as I said
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:33 AM
13 hrs ago

"the views of a Democrat" vs "the views of a Republican"

Fixed it, and probably done commenting on stuff here. My point made. This shit drives open minded people away

Arazi

(6,995 posts)
24. Alas
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:42 AM
13 hrs ago

You’re on a Democratic discussion board with hard core Democrats here.

Things like Democratic vs Democrat framing matters here whereas in RL most of us probably wouldn’t correct.

And if just pointing that out is too much for you, then perhaps this isn’t the place for you?

I made it clear that it’s my own pet peeve.

Elmotime

(16 posts)
27. I think it's pretty clear
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:48 AM
13 hrs ago

that differing viewpoints are not welcome and as this little set of exchanges displays the party I once thought was open and inviting feels anything but. It's a very hostile environment in here even to those in 95% agreement.

That said I really appreciate the encouragement and welcome Berksdem

BeerBarrelPolka

(1,406 posts)
32. Stick around
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:57 AM
12 hrs ago

I don't agree with some posters, but my opinion is just as valid as any other human beings'. So is yours.

berksdem

(709 posts)
33. I totally get it...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:01 PM
12 hrs ago

I have been on the "bad end" of the stick here a few times. In the end your opinion is just as relevant as others.

Arazi

(6,995 posts)
36. I'm not going to apologize for requesting that you use Democratic framing
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:04 PM
12 hrs ago

And not rightwing framing here.

And welcome to DU. I do apologize for not extending a hand

Aristus

(68,522 posts)
46. I'm afraid I have to jump in here for a minute.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:41 PM
12 hrs ago

I’ve been here since the beginning back in 2001. That’s twenty-three years of hearing differing viewpoints. Twenty-three years of hearing a free exchange of ideas.

Is it always civil? Is it always free from invective and profane passions? No.

But we usually manage to achieve a consensus, however shaky it may be at times.

But these disagreements and differences are almost always over policy and strategy. There are a few things that are non-negotiable, because they are non-negotiable with the people who hate and oppose us.

And one of those things is the name of the party we support, which is the Democratic Party. Not the ‘Democrat’ Party. Insisting that people here on this site use the proper name of the party, and the proper adjectival term for the party is not being narrow-minded, living in a bubble, or being deaf to other points of view.

Anyone peevishly insisting on using the term ‘Democrat’ Party here can plausibly be assumed to be a right-wing interloper.

JustAnotherGen

(33,732 posts)
81. The Elmotime
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:20 PM
5 hrs ago

Username might be doing it too. Its another name for that guy who.overstayed his student visa - but who has never been deported - aka mUsk.

h2ebits

(772 posts)
44. I also mostly read for the same reason. . . .
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:36 PM
12 hrs ago

I have been beaten down a number of times. Don't let that stop you. I have found that eventually someone will put a stop to it by providing support.

Most of the people on DU are really great people trying their best to understand and support the principles of democracy. Then, there are the others. . . .

If you haven't already, please look up Heather Cox Richardson. She is a political historian who produces a daily newsletter called "Letters From an American." She does an excellent job of putting perspective on the politics of the day and you can sign up for her daily email for free. She is also on Facebook and you can find her on substacks. Her Letters from an American are also now being sent out so you can listen to them, if that is a mode of communication that you would prefer.

Hang in there. This is actually a good site for the news worth reading and commenting on.

DENVERPOPS

(10,047 posts)
61. Heather Cox Richardson
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:16 PM
11 hrs ago

is my first read every single day...............She should publish her daily collection of articles in a book, so newcomers can go back and read day by day her articles and study them........

She is absolutely brilliant, and as a noted historian presents ONLY the facts, somewhat like an accountant.....a very refreshing read for those who want to feel they are not going insane with all the BS the mainstream RepubliCON owned/operated Media publishes.........

Demobrat

(9,921 posts)
51. I would love to read your observations.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:50 PM
12 hrs ago

I live in the bluest of blue bubbles in San Francisco. I have always lived in cities, Chicago, LA, and here. I have no contact with rural people, and any insight into how they think is welcome. Even if it’s not flattering. I wouldn’t expect it to be.

JustAnotherGen

(33,732 posts)
84. Just understand
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:29 PM
5 hrs ago

Some of us don't care about those people and want their ugly, old, fat 45 to be successful.

Know why?

It.
Will.
Hurt.
Them. The other.

They aren't like me and I have no use for their existence in my country. They drag us down with their whiny, lazy, cry baby sobbing about being left behind.

They made those life choices and that's why they are failures.

I moved 450 miles away from home, not knowing a soul - for economic opportunity. I'm sick of them. They aren't special and they failed at the game of America. They have a hundred reasons why they can't make the sacrifice of family, friends, and my hometown - and not one of why they could.

And - I've found a way to claw back my tax bill next year - because the SALT cap.has stolen my hard earned money and given it to them no strings attached.

I'm going to complete my term in office but that's it. I won't be giving to any charities or worrying when they lose their health insurance. Its a self-inflicted wound. My name is NOT Prissy -

And I won't be their slave. Let gramps go pick corn. Don't care if he has an oxygen tank and diabetes at 58 - its his problem to deal with.

JI7

(90,740 posts)
7. Trump is not tough. He is out of shape, a pervert, racist failure
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:34 AM
14 hrs ago

in business and bitter and blames others for his failures.

So they relate to him becsuse they are similar to this.

LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
11. I'm with you on the racist part, for sure, but I think Rump created an image of success and toughness that
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:40 AM
14 hrs ago

his cult members fell for. Branding is everything, I guess.

Aristus

(68,522 posts)
48. Plus, he wears badly-fitting clothes that look like he slept in them.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:43 PM
12 hrs ago

Also just like his supporters.

ananda

(30,879 posts)
10. No. Once again, the main driver was white supremacy.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:40 AM
14 hrs ago

And also misogyny.

People will make other excuses maybe, but the reason
they believed the lies was because of whiteness.

LaMouffette

(2,282 posts)
12. I agree that racism and misogyny were also major factors. No doubt. But also the tough-guy factor, and Rump's strangely
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 10:49 AM
14 hrs ago

successful ability to make working-class people think that he was one of THEM and not an elite, college-educated, hoity-toity, baby-killing, turn-your-kid-trans-at-school Democrat.

So racism, misogyny, fake tough-guy image, fake populism, and a shit-ton of lies about Democrats won Rump the presidency.

Okay. Gotta sign out of DU for a while and take a short break from thinking about all this.

Thanks to all who responded to my post!

haele

(13,602 posts)
70. Racists and Misogynists are at heart Bullies.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 02:38 PM
10 hrs ago

Full of bluster, lying to themselves as well as others, and ready to beat down anyone who crosses them or threatens their delusions of superior adequatecy.
Even the "mild" racists and misogynists that sound reasonable and educated.
So *rump resonates with them.
Like middle schoolers, they'll follow him because he's the "coach" they want to lead them to a winning season rather than the teacher they need to help them and their "fellow classmates" to succeed in life.

Haele

Arazi

(6,995 posts)
31. Racism and misogyny 🎯
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:56 AM
12 hrs ago

Traitor’s genius is being a con man. There’s no doubt some of his appeal is because of his manufactured persona.

But we were never ready for a black woman.

In that way the OP is correct, we need a Mark Kelly, Mark Cuban type. Maybe JB Pritzker but he’s not super charismatic or photogenic, just smart, compassionate and effective (and rich tho, which seems to matter to some).

Gavin Newsom is photogenic and absolutely crushes it with Republicans in debate. Same with Pete Buttigieg. Love those two but the anti-CA framing (coastal elites) and anti-LGBTQ sentiment won’t be overcome by 2028 imo.

Poor Gretchen Whitmer… I fear her star will never reach the national stage (love her too but we’re simply not going to vote for a woman)

czarjak

(12,498 posts)
17. "Racism is dead." John Roberts said.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:09 AM
13 hrs ago

Liar, or is he THAT stupid? At least the Southern Baptists and the Catholics have finally come together. Hypocrisy B Thee.

pandr32

(12,236 posts)
29. Evangelical and Born Again Christians...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:51 AM
13 hrs ago

Are up to 35 percent of the population. They are 'Conservative' and will never support a Democrat tough guy even if he is rich.

Walleye

(35,988 posts)
30. That's true and also because our party, in its values and its governing
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 11:54 AM
12 hrs ago

Makes it clear that we stand for the most vulnerable. To the tough guys their laws should be survival of the fittest. You could really see all this play out when people were going crazy about wearing masks during the pandemic. The macho view was, if you’re wearing a mask it’s because you’re not tough.

Self Esteem

(1,737 posts)
34. Harris didn't lose because she lost white men.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:03 PM
12 hrs ago

She lost because she saw significant drops in support among Hispanics, Asians and even Blacks compared to Biden and Hillary.

The real issue is that Democrats are losing minority support. Harris actually did marginally better among white voters than Biden in 2020. That would have been enough to win had she also won voters of color by the same margins as Biden in 2020.

Truth is, Democrats do need to figure out what's drawing minorities to Trump and the Republicans. We heard for the past year, when polls showed Trump making gains with this demographic that it was fake news and not believable... and yet it happened.

Why?

Why did Harris do worse among Black women than Hillary? Or Black men than both Biden and Hillary?

Hispanic men overwhelmingly went for Obama, Hillary and Biden in the three previous elections but then shifted Trump.

Focusing on white voters, whether male or female, won't help if Democrats continue to lose support among minority voters.

The truth is, Trump did better with Black and Hispanic voters than any Republican since Ford (with Blacks) and any Republican since at least before 1976 with Hispanics.

Is that a blip or a change? Because Democrats won't win the White House again if Republicans are winning 13% of the Black vote (was only 8% in 2016) and 46% of the Hispanic vote (was 28% in 2016).

In eight years, Democrats went from a margin of +81 with Black voters to +73 and +38 with Hispanics to +5.

Democrats won't win many national elections again with numbers like that. So, the question we need to be asking is why the shift? Why did Hispanics dramatically break from the party despite Trump's plans for mass-deportations? That answer is more significant than why white men vote Trump. Democrats don't need many white men to win. They absolutely need Black men and Hispanic men to win and both demographics are shifting pretty hard against the party.

Mblaze

(400 posts)
45. Never has false propaganda
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:38 PM
12 hrs ago

Permeated the media as it does now. As Goebbels showed us, relentless propaganda works.

Self Esteem

(1,737 posts)
72. Maybe so but then we've got to figure out how to counter the messaging...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 06:10 PM
6 hrs ago

Because it's working and if Democrats don't want to go extinct, just saying the only reason Harris lost was because of racism isn't going to cut it.

keep_left

(2,470 posts)
56. We know that a significant number of Muslims voted for Trump...
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:07 PM
11 hrs ago

...over the Gaza issue, even though they should have known that Trump would be much worse when it comes to foreign policy. But they believed the hype, and they chose to punish the Democrats. Then there's the corrosive effect of social media, and the $200+ million that Eloon spent buying a Presidency, etc.

This was also a very unusual election; there was no primary to select our candidate this time. Many of the lessons from 2024 may not apply well to future elections.

Self Esteem

(1,737 posts)
74. It is possible 2024 turns out to be an anomaly election.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 06:27 PM
6 hrs ago

But my concern is that, especially among men, the trend has been there.

In 2012, Obama won Black men 87-11 and Hispanic men 65-33. That's a margin of +76 and +32 respectively.

In 2016, Clinton won Black men 82-13 and Hispanic men 63-32. That's a margin of +69 and +31 respectively.

So, Clinton did seven-points worse than Obama among Black men and one-point worse among Hispanic men.

In 2020, Biden won Black men 79-19 and Hispanic men 59-36. That's a margin of +60 and +23 respectively.

Biden did nine-points worse than Hillary among Black men (and 16 points worse compared to Obama) and eight-points worse among Hispanic men (and nine worse than Obama).

In 2024, Harris won Black men 77-21 and lost Hispanic men 54-44. That's a margin of +56 and -10 respectively.

Harris did four-points worse among Black men than Biden and 33 points worse among Hispanic men (and 41 points worse than Hillary).

There is an obvious trend that goes beyond just 2024.

The Democrats' margin among Black men has decreased each election cycle:

2012: +76
2016: +69
2020: +60
2024: +56

That's a twenty-point drop since Obama's reelection.

Among Hispanics, it's way worse because not only were the margins smaller to start but because Hispanics continue to be one of the fastest growing demographics in the US and Democrats completely collapsed among Hispanic men.

Their decrease:

2012: +32
2016: +31
2020: +23
2024: -10

Harris did 42 points worse among Hispanic men than Obama.

Maybe some of it is just the nature of the race and the complexities of 2024.

But the trend isn't a one-election cycle issue. It's consistent. Democrats have been losing support among their largest demographics at a far higher level than Republicans.

Harris did one-point better among white men than Biden did in 2020. She did nine-points better than Biden among white women.

But she also did worse among Black women and Hispanic women - on top of significantly worse among Black men and Hispanic men.

That's not sustainable for the party and we need to figure it out. That's the irony about this race: Harris improved Democrats' numbers among a constituency they were bleeding support out since the 1960s! But she did worse than Mondale among Black and Hispanic voters.

keep_left

(2,470 posts)
75. I'm curious, where are you getting the numbers in those polls?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:06 PM
5 hrs ago

For example, it looks like the 2012 exit poll breaks even more strongly for Obama over Romney. Quoting you, "Obama won Black men 87-11 and Hispanic men 65-33. That's a margin of +76 and +32 respectively". I'm trying to figure out the methodology here, because the 2012 election in particular looks even more lopsided for Obama.

Also, how did you arrive at that margin? ( "That's a margin of +76 and +32 respectively" ).

Self Esteem

(1,737 posts)
88. They're linked in my posts.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:54 PM
4 hrs ago

Hyperlinked on the year.

They're exit poll data from each election.

And how I arrived at the margin was by using ... the margins? Not sure if I understand the question.

Winning Black men 87-11 is a margin of 76 points. Obama did 76 points better among Black men in 2012 than Romney (87-11).

keep_left

(2,470 posts)
91. Duh...should have just subtracted to get the margins.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 08:55 PM
3 hrs ago

I was being an idiot.

I did notice that in 2012, some of the results by race/ethnicity are even more lopsided for Obama depending on how it's measured. For example, on the first page, the racial/ethnic breakdown for Black voters is 93% Obama/6% Romney. Likewise, on the second page, all Latinos favored Obama over Romney by more than 90%. Things have definitely changed.

Farmer-Rick

(11,500 posts)
57. Because of psychological warfare by Russia
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:10 PM
11 hrs ago

Russia is on team Trump. And will always be because Trump couldn't win without him.

Americans have been under attack by Russian agents since 2015. Putin is a master manipulator and an expert in espionage. He has turned our American oligarch into willing traitors and insurrectionist. And they have gleefully killed our American democracy for him.

Where the Dems go wrong is by NOT swiftly, harshly and permanently punishing traitors and insurrectioniss. Dems take their time bringing prosecution and punishment. Every Republican president since, and including, Reagan, have been traitors and criminals to our American democracy. Yet they have rarely been prosecuted for it.

Here is just one method Putin uses: "Influence by Suggestion:
Suggestion is used to target groups that lack critical thinking, such as the very religious, under-educated, conformists, youth, and people in a state of panic, fear or stress. Using the “authority aura” effect, recognized leaders deliver emotionally charged speeches. Group environments, such as rallies and online forums, create the effect of “psychological contagion” and help to consolidate people around the ideas presented.

For example, in 2016, trolls from the Internet Research Agency (IRA), a St.Petersburg troll farm, organized pro-Trump rallies in Florida, Idaho and Philadelphia, targeting miners and low-income demographics."

https://bylinetimes.com/2020/03/04/big-lies-and-rotten-herrings-17-kremlin-disinformation-techniques-you-need-to-know-now/

Does it seem like every other person on line is a troll? They probably are. Just the vast numbers that Putin uses can overwhelm all our own espionage defenses.

It's NOT that we must win over working men and women. It's that we need to end Russian manipulation of them. We need to punish the traitors and hold insurrectionists to the law and constitution.

Until we address Russian propaganda and psychological attacks on our citizens, Trump and Putin will be our dictator.

FakeNoose

(35,898 posts)
60. Your points are reasonable and I agree with your conclusions, as far as they go
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:15 PM
11 hrs ago

However the racism and sexism of certain groups within the Democratic Party - namely the Black and Hispanic voters - were evident on November 5th. We were all taken by surprise, and I believe that's your point.

Are some white voters also racist and sexist? You bet they are, but not enough to lose the election the way we did last month.

If the Democratic candidate had all the experience and qualifications of Kamala Harris - with the exception that it's a white male rather than a Black woman - I believe the Democrats would have won. I haven't seen anything yet to dissuade me of this notion.

DENVERPOPS

(10,047 posts)
66. I can not imagine why ANY
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:32 PM
11 hrs ago

minority would have voted for ANY RepubliCON, and esp Trump...........It was made more than apparent how much the RepublicCON Party and Trump, LOATHED them all..........

It will be interesting to see them all targeted immediately, BIG TIME. And even more interesting, when they suddenly realize that they can not do a single thing about it, no matter how unjust and unconstitutional..............

This election, regretfully, may demonstrate that we indeed have passed the Point Of No Return...........

spooky3

(36,323 posts)
93. Yes, she did. That one group, especially white men without
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 09:41 PM
3 hrs ago

College degrees and those who are evangelicals, voted so strongly for TFG that it forced other groups to come out overwhelmingly for the Democratic candidate.

I am sick to death of people expecting women of all colors, Latinos, Black Americans, and other groups to make up the gap created primarily by white men as a group—a group that benefits greatly from the inflation reduction act, ACA, infrastructure investment, and many other Dem sponsored laws.

IT IS SIMPLE ARITHMETIC. Every vote counts. If white men as a group were not so strongly for TFG, Harris would have won.

SidneyR

(121 posts)
37. The next Democratic candidate for president
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:08 PM
12 hrs ago

needs to be an articulate, folksy, successful, relatable but tough, insanely handsome white man with a background and personal history completely scandal-free, with not one single judgement error, mistake, or misstep ever in his life, so Democrats will "fall in love" and vote. That's the only way to get the majority off their couches.

DENVERPOPS

(10,047 posts)
67. There may never again be "voting"
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:37 PM
11 hrs ago

as we know it......The: One Person, One Vote, fallacy went out the window long ago......

I think Trump said it best before this election: "Vote for me this time, and you may never have to vote again"...............

Sure, there will be elections, like the ones held in Russia, NKorea, China, and other tyrant controlled countries......

thebigidea

(13,286 posts)
69. how exactly are they going to take over voting in blue states?
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:43 PM
11 hrs ago

walk me through the process. If this is a risk, we should probably be ready for it?

DENVERPOPS

(10,047 posts)
80. Well,
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:18 PM
5 hrs ago

using the Trumphumpers, their militia's and of course, the USSC for starters.........This time around, they would storm the Blue States Capitols, using Trump Voters, and militias.......... not the U.S. Capitol........

Arazi

(6,995 posts)
86. I believe there will be open voter intimidation again
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:35 PM
5 hrs ago

The bomb threats to polling places was a very successful tactic in 2024. I expect more of that.

Militias “guarding” polling places (outside the perimeter) intimidating people of color. Traitor said he’s going to lift the restrictions on ICE detentions at sensitive locations (churches, schools, courthouses etc) on his first day.

Antagonistic poll watchers at heavily Dem precincts could delay voting for hours as they put up challenges simply to throw sand in the gears.

I think the “legal” bullying that could be implemented will be widespread

wryter2000

(47,551 posts)
38. My solution
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:10 PM
12 hrs ago

Don’t let men vote.

I’m not serious about that, of course, but the next time one of the Cro-Magnons pops his head up about not letting women vote, counter it with only women should vote.

Mblaze

(400 posts)
43. I have always thought that
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 12:35 PM
12 hrs ago

This return to "alpha male" competition is a direct repudiation of the 60's when many men "got in touch with their feminine side". Nothing is more transparently pitiful (and dangerous) than a bunch of men desperately posing as alpha males.

yaesu

(8,306 posts)
54. If you want their vote treat them like 4 yr olds
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:05 PM
11 hrs ago

show them lots of shiny objects, don't use big words & always tell them what good boys they are otherwise they throw fits & become low information voters.

Jimbo S

(3,019 posts)
59. Joe in 2020
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:13 PM
11 hrs ago

was the right candidate at the right time. Drew some of the bad-ass vote away from Trump.

BlueSky3

(711 posts)
62. The sooner we stop trying to
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:21 PM
11 hrs ago

put “how men think” or “how women think” into gender-stereotyped behavior, the better. But demographic statisticians do love them boxes…

Dem4life1234

(1,941 posts)
64. Yes
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 01:24 PM
11 hrs ago

In this country, women are basically killing it both balancing working outside of the home and taking care of business at home.

Young women are surpassing young men both academically and increasingly in many careers.

For some freaking reason, many American men wallow in a sort of victimhood mentality, they think we as women, oppress them. This warped mentality is fanned by the flames of the manosphere types.

So these males feel powerless, they see him as some sort of tough guy. I don't even see a tough guy, I see a weak manchild who is overcompensating for his lack of intelligence and honor.

Sadly, many American women are not as united as the men, plenty of women have some sort of issue with other women and worship the ground men walk on, coddling bad behavior from men. You saw that with the amount of idiots who supported the raping felon. Sad state of affairs in America.


LetMyPeopleVote

(155,064 posts)
71. Trump did not promise to improve the lives of his voters. He promised to punish the people his voters wanted to hurt.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 05:24 PM
7 hrs ago

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(115,966 posts)
73. Trump isn't a tough guy, he's a bully.
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 06:12 PM
6 hrs ago

I learned long ago that if you punch a bully in the nose, they back down really quick.

JustAnotherGen

(33,732 posts)
78. Where I'm at today
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:14 PM
5 hrs ago

IDGAF about any of them. I want the loss of hearth, home, and health for them all. I know what's coming, I don't deserve it, but they do.

And with what I believe is a false rape allegation against Jay Z - the accusation would be a feature not a bug. I'd like to see him run for President or office.

It would piss all of those people off - and let a lot of Black Americans let out a well earned Primal Scream.

Blue_Tires

(56,230 posts)
83. This argument might have held a little merit in 2016
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:21 PM
5 hrs ago

but now that TFG is a known commodity, people need to admit to themselves that the "working class" openly and knowingly voted for white supremacy

JustAnotherGen

(33,732 posts)
85. Thank you
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 07:32 PM
5 hrs ago

I'm not falling for their "oh woe is me" economic bullshit lies. They are stone cold bigots and deserve everything they are going to get.

My cruelty is the point.

GenThePerservering

(2,675 posts)
92. I wish people wouldn't refer to Trump as a 'strongman'
Wed Dec 11, 2024, 09:37 PM
3 hrs ago

he isn't. He wants to be, but he's just a grifting sad sack.

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