Instead of double-commenting, I'll just reply to my own.
One of the many things I think we miss about the American electorate is that a significant number of us is just ANGRY. What we're angry about varies widely, from income inequality, bigotry, and war to inflation, unease, and general societal upheaval that runs counter to everything we were taught or thought about the world (that's a polite way of saying racism and sexism, but still). Trump and Vance, clumsy and addled though they are, acknowledge that anger, stoke it, and use it.
Remember how Bernie came THISCLOSE to toppling the Dem establishment in 2016 and 2020? He did that because he tapped into that anger on the left! The Clintons and Pelosis and Clyburns and Bidens of the world didn't know how to deal with that, so they squashed it and pretended it didn't exist. And then we got a campaign in 2024 that was all about joy and positivity and moving forward, making slight nods to some hardships some people might be facing, but refusing to tap into the anger and fear that drives people. This genteel shit is done, and we're going to pay a price for the people in power not realizing that.
https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/after-election-day
Instead of double-commenting, I'll just reply to my own.
One of the many things I think we miss about the American electorate is that a significant number of us is just ANGRY. What we're angry about varies widely, from income inequality, bigotry, and war to inflation, unease, and general societal upheaval that runs counter to everything we were taught or thought about the world (that's a polite way of saying racism and sexism, but still). Trump and Vance, clumsy and addled though they are, acknowledge that anger, stoke it, and use it.
Remember how Bernie came THISCLOSE to toppling the Dem establishment in 2016 and 2020? He did that because he tapped into that anger on the left! The Clintons and Pelosis and Clyburns and Bidens of the world didn't know how to deal with that, so they squashed it and pretended it didn't exist. And then we got a campaign in 2024 that was all about joy and positivity and moving forward, making slight nods to some hardships some people might be facing, but refusing to tap into the anger and fear that drives people. This genteel shit is done, and we're going to pay a price for the people in power not realizing that.
This is spot fucking on. Thank you.