In Milwaukee yesterday many Democrats couldnʼt understand their neighbors voting choices – a sign of deep-rooted changes in US society. William Washkuhn‚ a local engineer who donated $1‚600 to the Harris campaign feels his values dont match most Americans anymore
One campaign was running on values and the future and really connecting with people. The other was running on fear and division and hatred
The numbers tell a clear story: Trump leads by 5-million votes (a huge shift from past elections) and made big gains with Hispanic voters and non-college grads. Democratic partyʼs registration numbers – about 45-mil compared to Republicans 35.7-mil – didnt help them win
Some voters point to everyday problems:
- Rising food costs
- High rent prices
- Job market issues
- Healthcare expenses
Joan Arrow‚ a trans woman from Arizona thinks about moving to Canada while Allen Meza a social worker from Georgia (whose mom came from Mexico) worries about anti-immigrant policies. Karla Miller a reverend from North Carolina sees environmental issues being pushed aside
The Gaza situation made things worse for Democrats. In Michigan which has lots of Arab-Americans Lexis Zeidan who helped Biden win in twenty-twenty left the president spot empty on her ballot: “This administration ignored things people care about – climate justice working class issues and Gaza policy“