In this episode, we unpack the 2024 U.S. election results, where former President Donald Trump made a historic comeback, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. What went wrong for Harris, and how did Trump secure key battleground states like Georgia? Join host Kannan as we dive deep into the economic factors, voter sentiments, and campaign strategies that tipped the scales.
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[00:00:00] Despite her seemingly competitive advantage against an aging opponent and twice impeached ex-president, Kamala Harris failed to win the required 270 electoral votes in the US presidential election. Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, flipped Georgia that he won last time and won many of the seven battleground states convincingly, making a comeback to power after a four-year hiatus.
[00:00:28] He became the only second person to win non-consecutive terms in the White House. So, what went right for him and what went wrong for Harris?
[00:00:40] Hi and welcome to News Brake, a podcast from Onmanorama that explains the news in a clutter-free manner. I'm your host, Kannan. Today, we are looking at the reason for Trump's spectacular comeback to power.
[00:00:56] Kamala Harris entered the race after Joe Biden left the scene following the disastrous live TV debate. She gave the Democrats a reason to believe again and made Trump look older than 78 that he is.
[00:01:15] She decimated the former president in their only TV debate and put burning issues like women's health, right to abortion, transgender rights on the foreground.
[00:01:26] She also set out an economic plan that set to lower costs and create an opportunity economy.
[00:01:34] On the other hand, Trump spoke about protecting American companies and jobs by protectionist policies like imposing tariffs on imports.
[00:01:43] If Harris spoke about progressive ideas, where did she feel?
[00:01:47] We probably will find the answer in an exit poll done by Edison Research.
[00:01:53] Nearly half of those who told pollsters that they were worse off financially than four years ago chose Donald Trump.
[00:02:02] About 31% of voters said the economy was their top issue, ranking second behind the 35% who said the state of democracy mattered the most to them, according to a national exit polling data from Edison Research.
[00:02:18] And the voters who identified the economy as their primary concern voted overwhelmingly for Trump over Harris, 79% to 20%.
[00:02:30] The high inflation of the last couple of years and the toll that has taken on the perceptions of financial well-being stood out as a clear concerns that also steered voters towards Trump, reported Reuters.
[00:02:43] More than half of voters said inflation had caused them a moderate hardship in the last year, while nearly one in four said it had caused a severe hardship.
[00:02:56] Those saying it had caused a moderate difficulty leaned somewhat more to Trump, 50% to 47%, but 73% of those calling it a severe hardship voted for the former president.
[00:03:10] Edison's exit polling data showed 45% of voters across the country said their families' financial situation was worse today than four years ago, compared with just 20% in 2020.
[00:03:27] Those voters favoured Trump over Harris, 80% to 17%, clearly showing the vice president failed to sell her plans to the electorate.
[00:03:37] Though inflation has improved following the stiff interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, sentiment remains well below the levels that prevailed during Trump's first term from 2017 to 2021.
[00:03:53] This means the runaway rent hikes, the housing market crisis and the weaker job growth since 2020 played a huge role in the electorate choosing to remove the incumbent VP.
[00:04:07] While his socially charged ad campaigns, she is for they, referring to the trans rights and I am for you, might have clicked with the traditional Republican base, it seems the economic hardships forced the US voters to look beyond Trump's felony charges and the potential conviction in an election interference case.
[00:04:30] That brings us to the end of today's episode.
[00:04:34] This is On Manorama's News Break and Explainer podcast produced by Harida Benjamin.
[00:04:40] It airs every week and is available on all podcast platforms.
[00:04:45] For more news, views and updates, follow onmanorama.com.
[00:04:50] Thank you.
[00:04:51] Thank you.