As the days leading up to the election were predicting a close race, Donald Trump emerged victorious, leading to questions on how he won so decisively. Themes discussed by political strategists Anna Greenberg and Sarah Longwell include the gender gap that did not materialize as expected, with women not turning out in high numbers, and Latino voters shifting towards Trump due to economic concerns and rejection of Democratic identitarian politics. The economy played a significant role, with voters being price-sensitive and experiencing frustrations with inflation, leading to a perception of a failed administration under Biden. The national “shift to the right” seen in the election results is attributed more to frustration with the economy and immigration rather than a conservative swing in the country as a whole. Democrats are urged to consider their message and make necessary changes to appeal to diverse coalition support, recognizing the challenges of appealing to a more homogenous set of voters compared to the Republican Party. The need for soul-searching and an autopsy of the election results is highlighted as the party grapples with losses in the White House and Senate.
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