You cannot win over the minds of young men — or any men for that matter — if you don’t show up where they hang out. I’m sorry, but appearances by Harris on The View, the Call Her Daddy Podcast, and even SNL are not going to reach that target audience. This segment of the population is not as directly persuaded by compelling women’s rights arguments that they might otherwise hear elsewhere.

Harris should have appealed to young men — and all men — directly through the podcasting medium. She neglected it in the same way Hillary Clinton neglected Blue Wall states in 2016 and this likely cost her.

Democracy doesn’t pay the bills

For as much as political writers like myself warn of the dangers to democracy of another Trump presidency, there’s something more fundamental that we often miss. Democracy doesn’t pay the bills.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in academic and intellectual discourse about checks and balances, the rule of law, and the need for an independent judiciary, but in the end, how does that help a working-class voter in a Blue Wall state buy groceries for their family? Or put gas in their car or truck? Or afford a home with ~7% interest rates?

The democracy arguments, as important as they are, simply missed the mark. I’m guilty as charged.

I’ve had a stark realization that my arguments in favor of democracy are being articulated from a position of privilege. I have a steady income, a stable home life, and a supportive family. Many Americans do not enjoy these luxuries.

So as important as the health of American democracy may be, that’s not going to address many voters’ immediate inflation and economic concerns. That’s not going to factor in when they’re asked whether they’re better off than they were four years ago. Or whether the first Trump era was overall better for them and their families.

The “threats to democracy” arguments can also cut the other way — cancel culture, perceived censorship, and elitism all pose threats to fundamental democratic principles, including free speech. Democrats must take a hard look in the mirror when making “threats to democracy” arguments to ensure they’re entering that space with clean hands.

As I’ve personally experienced, many on the left don’t want to engage in debate and prefer to silence opposing viewpoints. Nowhere is this more clear than the divisive issue of Israel and Gaza.

Trump’s messaging was simply far more practical. He pulled on the nostalgic heartstrings for an America of another era. While this may not be completely accurate, nostalgia is a powerful emotion and force. When Trump promises greater tax cuts and better economic outcomes that put “America first” that message resonates far better than “my opponent is a threat to democracy.” Even if the latter message is true.

A new America in 2024

It’s now undeniable that Donald Trump has ushered in a new America in 2024. He achieved the unthinkable by winning the presidential election after the chaos of January 6th, multiple indictments and felonies, attempts on his life, and a mainstream media apparatus that jumps on his every word and action. Although for as much as the media critiques Trump, it also loves covering Trump (because it sells) and it’s partially complicit in normalizing Trump (even though his candidacy was unprecedented in American history).

Regardless of what you think about Donald Trump, however, he’s expanded his MAGA base and achieved a stunning victory that makes 2016 appear small by comparison. He will potentially be entering the White House again with all branches of government at his disposal.

And this time he won’t be surrounded by generals and politicians like Mike Pence who may oppose him and check his behavior. He will have a team of yes-men who have big plans to gut the federal government and remove agency independence so they’re all beholden to one man — Donald Trump. The implications, are significant.

But this is what the majority of Americans have requested. It’s time to see it through.