Just as in 2016, Donald Trump disrupted predictions by shattering the so-called Blue Wall made of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, making his way to a second nonconsecutive term in the White House. Pennsylvania, the largest chip on the board in the November 5 election, was claimed for Trump by the next morning, a stark contrast to the delayed call in 2020.
The Democrats seem to have strayed far from their working-class roots. In terms of policies, vernacular, and public persona, they present an estranged picture to their once-core voters. Pennsylvania, a state characterized by its blue-collar ethos, feels forgotten by the Democratic Party.
Among the 6.9 million votes cast, Trump secured 3.5 million, translating to 50.5% of the vote, leaving Harris lagging with close to 3.4 million votes, or 48.5%. Analyzing the unofficial election results, USA Today Network observed that Trump broadened his support in 65 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, slicing out an additional 148,000 votes.
Harris, on the other hand, lost the allegiance of 64,000 previous voters in the state. A disappointing turnout was particularly notable in large metropolitan areas, especially in Philadelphia County. Harris saw over 36,000 votes dwindling from her previous total in Philadelphia, while Trump’s numbers in the city increased by more than 11,400.
In neighboring regions of Bucks and Montgomery counties, Harris continued to fall behind, losing approximately 8,800 votes in each, while Trump gained additional 9,600 and 10,300 votes, respectively, presenting a picture of steady progress in contrast to Harris’s dwindling popularity.
Trump, who criticized the legitimacy of mail-in voting for the longest time, increased his share of the mail-in vote by 10%, or 65,000 votes. In a surprising shift, Harris saw a drastic 37% drop in mail-in votes with a 50% increase in the number of same-day votes. Such dynamics raise speculation about the effectiveness of their campaign strategies.
Despite Democrats’ proclaimed foresight, Trump managed to increase his support outside the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It had been evident that to win Pennsylvania, it was necessary to follow Trump’s strategy. Interesting patterns emerged in counties like Erie and Northampton, traditionally known for their elastic voting tendencies.
Beyond Pennsylvania, only a total of 16 counties in the entire country have as baffling voting patterns as Erie and Northampton. Other significant flips occurred in Bucks and Monroe counties, which turned in favor of Trump after supporting the Democratic candidate in 2020.
Trump’s victory was solid in the Electoral College, and he’s the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, albeit by a narrow margin. Nonetheless, GOP victories in Pennsylvania and other swing states showcased fierce competition, the outcomes being decided by a few hundred thousand votes.
The slight margin of victory, however, questions whether Trump and the GOP sincerely received a clear mandate from voters. The Republicans undoubtedly had a good night, but the closeness of the outcomes makes one cautious. It wasn’t a sweep, rather a battle of competitive margins.
Trump’s consistent support in Pennsylvania can be traced back to his 2016 campaign, where he stood up for smaller, rural communities, addressing staple issues like gas prices. Harris, on the other hand, made a late entry into the race in mid-July and struggled to outline her policy propositions until less than three months before Election Day.
Her handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resultant humanitarian crisis for Palestinians seemingly lost Harris votes in specific areas of the country, particularly in Michigan. Gender-based issues, too, seemed to influence the loss, albeit less than economic ones.
Moreover, the tussle between Trump and Harris over social issues like the participation of transgender females in women’s sports and federal funding for gender-affirming healthcare for federal inmates was noticeable. These policies were in place under Trump and yet became points of disagreement.
The attention this campaign seemed to give to gender issues was remarkable. It cast a different light not only on controversies around abortion and transgender rights but also raised questions about societal embodiments of masculinity and femininity.
Is this revelation going to impact future polls or inspire acknowledgments? The question remains. However, one thing is clear: this campaign was not just about policy but also about gender roles and engaging with long-held societal norms.
Trump Shatters Blue Wall, Leaving Harris In Dust appeared first on Real News Now.
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