Civics: This is The Chud Veto
Defection from experts is inherently unsophisticated and can become an autoimmune response. Vaccine skepticism and raw milk are two good examples of over correction against the Noble Lie.
This blue wave was fueled by suspicion of the elites and their surveillance apparatus and another facet of civilization is being ravaged by an autoimmune disorder. There is no CCP psyop. There is no voter fraud.
Ultimately, these concerns could have been ignored or mitigated by a more positive economic situation, but the rising cost of fuel/diesel ruled that out. The economy was already stressed from tariffs and this just pushed the center over the edge.[‡]
I’m not sure yet what the Republicans should do in response. They cannot unbomb Iran (and the Democrats are already signaling that they will keep funding the Iran war????[8]). The diesel deal with Russia will likely be undone. Domestic fossil fuel production will likely be curbed or become more costly under the new Texas Railroad Commissioner. The NIBMY portion of the electorate isn’t going to approve more refineries. The data center build out and AI growth are (soon to be were?) fueling the economy, even in blue collar trades; if that gets shut down then you’re going to see declining wages with rising costs. The economy will just get worse.
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It can be hard for upper middle class pollsters to figure out what questions to ask the working class.
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Messaging, media, and communication count, so note:
Four years ago GDP growth was lower than today—even though the pandemic was about over and there was a dramatic return to work and spending.
The inflation rate was almost three times higher in 2022 than now.
