Pennsylvania Trump Voters - Bigger Than Trump
On the evening of November 8, 2016, America witnessed one of the most stunning political upsets in history when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the presidential election. It was especially shocking because few pollsters or pundits predicted it would happen, but the outcome was undoubtedly shaped by Pennsylvania voters who pulled the lever for Trump when faced with limited options for president. Many of these voters felt that Trump’s message resonated with them more than any other candidate on the ballot, but what do they expect from President Trump and how do they think he will perform in office?
A Little Fact Finding
It’s tempting to assume that these voters are deluded by false promises, as made famous by The Boy Who Cried Wolf. In reality, these voters have been beaten down by both political parties over a period of years. While Democratic politicians in Pennsylvania haven’t done much for working-class families, they at least show up and give lip service. In contrast, Republicans offer platitudes and pep talks while doing very little to actually help working families.
The Culture War
Political polarization is a problem, but to some degree it’s been overstated. Yes, party loyalties are deeper than ever and people are seemingly more divided on issues like abortion, gun control and climate change. But recent surveys show that Republicans have become more liberal on economic issues like corporate tax cuts and income inequality. Whether or not they feel attached to their political parties, most voters don’t make their voting decisions based solely on cultural or social issues.
Blue Collar Workers Aren't Really Democrats
Yes, many Pennsylvania voters in working-class areas turned to Donald Trump. But that’s only because they’re sick of traditional politicians, not necessarily because they buy into his rhetoric or policies. Let’s stop pretending that it’s all about economic anxiety—and let’s work on finding real solutions for people in these regions.
Hillary Wasn't Perfect
If you’re a Hillary supporter or if you have friends who are, it’s important to show empathy to those around you. It is hard to accept a crushing loss in any area of life, and for many people who were emotionally tied up in Clinton, it was even more devastating because she was supposed to win.
Too Much Corruption and Not Enough Policy
It may be tempting to see Trump voters as a disparate collection of rubes, uneducated in policy and easily misled by partisan media. But I’ve yet to meet a Pennsylvanian who voted for him because he was excited about Melania’s anti-cyberbullying campaign or because they wanted their first lady to get six figures for watching TV in her bathrobe. When it comes down to it, these voters are concerned with only one thing: Making America great again by stopping corruption.
Beneath Them Lies A Sense of Entitlement
The results are in, and they look pretty much like every other recent survey. Donald Trump won Pennsylvania by a wide margin on Tuesday night. In Allegheny County (which includes Pittsburgh), he won 61 percent of votes cast. But that same county also voted for Hillary Clinton, more narrowly but convincingly, as did Erie County (where it's literally colder in hell than it is on Earth).