Understanding Donald Trump’s Appeal

Back in May, I wrote this article about Trump’s appeal and why he could win, especially against Hillary. After all his missteps, even after the tape in which he brags about grabbing women wherever and whenever, even after losing all three debates, Trump still won. I think in this article I hit on some of the reasons why.

Bracing Views

Trump runs over GOP

W.J. Astore

I lived and taught in a rural and conservative area in Pennsylvania for nine years, an area that’s “flyover country” for Beltway elites.  Back in 2008, I remember how the locals went gaga over Sarah Palin’s visit to the area, and how crestfallen so many people were when Barack Obama was elected president.  I remember how people sported Bush/Cheney stickers on their cars and trucks (even the faculty at the largely vocational college at which I taught), long after these men had left office.  Sadly, I also recall a lot of Confederate flag license plates, especially on trucks, but there were also people who flew them at home from their flagpoles.  This was not about “heritage,” since Pennsylvania was Union country in the Civil War.  No – it was about being a White “redneck” and taking the country back from, well, the “other” – Blacks, Muslims, immigrants, anyone…

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4 thoughts on “Understanding Donald Trump’s Appeal”

    1. To paraphrase the village sheriff speaking to the outraged citizens in the movie Young Frankenstein:

      “Socialism is an ugly thing. And I think it is about time that we had some.”

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    1. Obama’s charisma — his ability to connect with people — helped to hide the decline of the Democratic party. Bernie also had charisma, a message, and the ability to connect. Hillary? Not so much.

      The Democrats need a new messenger, someone with charisma, an honest message, and generosity of spirit. A person of integrity.

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