USA Election 2024

[GermanSuplex]

This is the strangest saga I have ever seen. My phony optimism may not have been enough. And phony it was, we all lived through 2016. But we also lived through 2012 and 2020, you you plant your flag and stay there until the end. With republicans more likely to vote early and a small shift in Latinos towards Trump, we probably will have a screwy next election too.

One thing is for sure, I hope both sides will never use crowd size as an indicator. People get a vote whether they wave signs at a rally or not. It meant nothing in 2020 and while it’s fun to point out because it’s a sore spot for Trump, it means nothing. I have no interest in going to them even when I like the candidate.

 

[Roller]

Barring a last minute miracle, it’s over. I don’t know how many years I have left, but however long it is, I’ll never wrap my mind around what happened today and what it will mean for this country and the world. The Greatest Generation will have fought and died for nothing, and tens of millions will suffer as immigrants are rounded up, people lose healthcare, and families endure economic hardship as prices rise and social security and Medicare are cut.

And God help us when the next pandemic strikes without any response after the government agencies responsible for public health have been dismantled.

All the while, the billionaires who helped Trump win will cackle with glee, knowing they’ll be protected from the consequences.

 

[dada_dave]

It's basically over, NBC called Pennsylvania for Trump.

I saw this coming, wrote multiple times over the last few months that this felt like 2016, but part of me is still having trouble processing that we did this. There is no excuse. Harris was a good candidate (other than being a woman of color in a deeply racist and sexist country) who ran a good campaign. Trump is a disastrous candidate who ran a disastrous campaign. The problem is us.

I'm not sure if we have a chance to save American democracy. I'm not sure if in its current form* it deserves saving. But resistance to the new regime will determine how much democracy we can salvage. For those of us in Blue states, we might be protected against some of what's coming: the Republicans will pass anti-abortion legislation and will attempt their mass deportations. Blue state governments can help here to fight these measures and protect the people. Those women and minorities in Red States though ... well ... it's going to get bad.

The Europeans and maybe South Koreans will have to save Ukraine. They're popping champagne bottles in Moscow that's for sure. The Palestinians are well and truly fucked. As for Global Warming ... well, truthfully we were probably fucked on that score anyway. No one was doing enough fast enough, not even the Democrats.

*while our system sucks, it should be noted that no system of democracy can save a people from themselves.

 

[Roller]

It's basically over, NBC called Pennsylvania for Trump.

I saw this coming, wrote multiple times over the last few months that this felt like 2016, but part of me is still having trouble processing that we did this. There is no excuse. Harris was a good candidate who ran a good campaign. Trump is a disastrous candidate who ran a disastrous campaign. The problem is us.

I'm not sure if we have a chance to save American democracy. I'm not sure if in its current form it deserves saving. But resistance to the new regime will determine how much democracy we can salvage. For those of us in Blue states we might be protected against some of what's coming, the Republicans will pass anti-abortion legislation and will attempt their mass deportations. Blue state governments can help here to fight these measures and protect the people. Those women and minorities in Red States though ... well ... it's going to get bad.

The Europeans and maybe South Koreans will have to save Ukraine. They're popping champagne bottles in Moscow that's for sure. The Palestinians are well and truly fucked. As for Global Warming ... well, truthfully we were probably fucked on that score anyway. No one was doing enough fast enough, not even the Democrats.

Months ago, I read that Democrats and Republicans who understood the danger posed by a second Trump term were making plans in case Harris, or Biden before her, lost. It seemed crazy at the time, but tonight I hope they came up with something, especially since Republicans will control the Senate and probably the House.

Sadly, I find myself thinking selfishly about the effects on me and my family. How will I do when social security and Medicare are cut? What will happen when government support for vaccine development stops? How will my children do under a national ban on abortion and contraception? And how will it feel to live in an authoritarian country?

Are my fears unfounded? Am I overreacting? I’d love for someone to convince me I’m wrong.

 

[dada_dave]

Months ago, I read that Democrats and Republicans who understood the danger posed by a second Trump term were making plans in case Harris, or Biden before her, lost. It seemed crazy at the time, but tonight I hope they came up with something, especially since Republicans will control the Senate and probably the House.

Sadly, I find myself thinking selfishly about the effects on me and my family. How will I do when social security and Medicare are cut? What will happen when government support for vaccine development stops? How will my children do under a national ban on abortion and contraception? And how will it feel to live in an authoritarian country?

Are my fears unfounded? Am I overreacting? I’d love for someone to convince me I’m wrong.

I don't know what plans they could possibly have made. If enough of our institutions hold (Trump is explicitly planning on gutting them), democracy might make the midterms. The counter-reaction might save us. Even though the damage done will still be incalculable, that's about the only hope we have right now. If not on either score, well ... sadly for you I'm only going to add to your fears since I share them. My wife and I are having these exact conversations right now.

@leman I don't know if you are still planning on coming here, it would've been nice to meet you and hang out IRL.

 

[leman]

@leman I don't know if you are still planning on coming here, it would've been nice to meet you and hang out IRL.

We do, but the election results bring a lot of uncertainty for the already complicated immigration process. Plus, I still don't have a job lined up and I can imagine that there will be an even stronger reluctance for considering out-of-country applicants in the next several months.

 

[rdrr]

I am numb, and am left to wonder what happens to my kids. Right now I am thanking god I don’t have grandkids.

Call me a pessimist, but what I see coming for all of our future is bleak.

 

[GermanSuplex]

Well, it was fun to keep up the optimism charade until the bitter end!

Another long chapter, this time with a Trump at 80 instead of 70. He just pulled off the greatest (and worst) political comeback in history.

Maybe this will restore some faith in the elections? Encouraging his supporters to vote early ate into dem’s leads; discouraging mail or early voting may have hurt Trump more last time than we realized, especially since we had Covid. Trump is winning and losing by the same system. Or maybe this win will just validate for many people he won in 2020 too. Who the hell knows. I hope this is a good sign for Mike Tyson when he faces Jake Paul. That will offset the sting. Gotta look for some humor!

 

[Edd]

The world doesn’t have time for Trump. Too many serious things happening. I’m struggling to process this. It’s obvious he’s unfit for the job, that he’s a terrible person surrounded by terrible people. We’ve been warned by his previous cabinet that he must not win. How can we be this stupid?

We woke up awhile ago and saw the damage. My wife is crying. I held her and shed some tears also. There’s nothing funny or hopeful to be said right now.

 

[GermanSuplex]

At least Trump gave a vanilla acceptance speech.

Maybe killing his criminal cases will cause him to say “Look how great I am, I’m not prosecuting anyone”.

Harris did as well as she could do. There will be soul searching and all, rightfully so, but at the end of the day, there can be only one winner and I’m glad that it’s over. No complaints about her campaign. In this divided landscape, you have to be all things to all people. I also think there is a segment of new voters who view politics as wrestling or sports-like entertainment. Trump is different, and some people are attracted to that.

I think Herdfan is correct about single-issue voters. There are a lot of people out there who will simply see the price of something and vote on that. It may be why Trump lost and it may also be the reason he won again. Who the hell knows. The polls did look a bit like 2012, but it broke his way this time instead of the other.

My hope is everyone just gets to work and republicans stop some of Trump’s more extreme agenda. They did last time, but who knows this time. At least he won both votes this time (or it’s looking like he will).

 

[Alli]

we probably will have a screwy next election too

I don’t believe we’ll have a next election. Elections are for democratic countries.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I don’t believe we’ll have a next election. Elections are for democratic countries.

It’s up to republicans to prove us wrong. Trump made inroads with Latinos. Democrat turnout was stunted. The polls were not wrong, they just tilted in Trump’s favor. They were also not very helpful (as is usually the case).

I think Harris did amazing. We can and should dissect what happened and what we need to do moving forward - thats how elections should be handled, win or lose. She did the absolute best she could with a huge burden to carry. She did great. This is America, and it was always going to require optimism to believe this country was ready to elect a black woman. Some will scoff at that being issue and insist it was her and her policies. But this is America, and the posts and hate on social media speak for themselves.

Trump can make his cases go away. I don’t think it’s for nothing, you don’t always hit a home run. We’ve never had a president do what Trump did. The law protected him. I hope republicans and democrats figure this out together. And while my bluster on the election was totally wrong, I’ve not yet been proven wrong that threats of violence also effect republicans.

Trump is vindictive, and that’s not limited to democrats. I promise you many republicans are nervous right now.

Like I said, it may seem like succumbing, but it’s in their hands and I hope they prove me wrong. Prove to us democrats were being drama queens. I’d love nothing more than to be proven wrong.

I also know that despite a third of republicans having a cult-like devotion to Trump, most are just republicans. Please stick around Herdfan, legit - it would be ironic if our lone conservative friend kept us sane on here.

I’m almost relieved Trump won, as the victory parties have switched back and forth. So democracy is not dead yet. Let’s continue to fix things, wish the other side well and call them the hell out when they’re wrong. I’m glad to have the election behind us, and hopefully the election fraud BS dies down. Flags don’t vote, rallies don’t vote, memes don’t vote - voters vote.

If there’s any consolation, turnout was stunted. That’s both a warning to democrats but also proof that low-turnout = republicans win. It’s that simple.

 

[rdrr]

It’s up to republicans to prove us wrong. Trump made inroads with Latinos. Democrat turnout was stunted. The polls were not wrong, they just tilted in Trump’s favor. They were also not very helpful (as is usually the case).

I think Harris did amazing. We can and should dissect what happened and what we need to do moving forward - thats how elections should be handled, win or lose. She did the absolute best she could with a huge burden to carry. She did great. This is America, and it was always going to require optimism to believe this country was ready to elect a black woman. Some will scoff at that being issue and insist it was her and her policies. But this is America, and the posts and hate on social media speak for themselves.

Trump can make his cases go away. I don’t think it’s for nothing, you don’t always hit a home run. We’ve never had a president do what Trump did. The law protected him. I hope republicans and democrats figure this out together. And while my bluster on the election was totally wrong, I’ve not yet been proven wrong that threats of violence also effect republicans.

Trump is vindictive, and that’s not limited to democrats. I promise you many republicans are nervous right now.

Like I said, it may seem like succumbing, but it’s in their hands and I hope they prove me wrong. Prove to us democrats were being drama queens. I’d love nothing more than to be proven wrong.

I also know that despite a third of republicans having a cult-like devotion to Trump, most are just republicans. Please stick around Herdfan, legit - it would be ironic if our lone conservative friend kept us sane on here.

I’m almost relieved Trump won, as the victory parties have switched back and forth. So democracy is not dead yet. Let’s continue to fix things, wish the other side well and call them the hell out when they’re wrong. I’m glad to have the election behind us, and hopefully the election fraud BS dies down. Flags don’t vote, rallies don’t vote, memes don’t vote - voters vote.

If there’s any consolation, turnout was stunted. That’s both a warning to democrats but also proof that low-turnout = republicans win. It’s that simple.

I am sorry, all I can think about is the words that came out his mouth and the supporters.

I am very worried because I have a gay son, a nonbinary child that is in a relationship with a trans woman, a queer step granddaughter, and bi racial nephew and niece. This new reality has me sick to my stomach for them.

 

[Renzatic]

If there’s any consolation, turnout was stunted. That’s both a warning to democrats but also proof that low-turnout = republicans win. It’s that simple.

Turnout wasn't exactly stunted. There was still a good turnout, just less than it was in 2020.

The problem was the usual one: democrats are flaky voters who may or may not show up, while you can always depend upon republicans to turn up every election.

 

[fischersd]

I feel ill. A voice in my head is saying "Truly, these are the end times". Putin will be emboldened by his puppet being back in the White House. Ukraine will no longer receive aid from the US. Nato will need to take on this fight without the US backing.

And China? Bye-bye Taiwan. Trump had set back relations with China 30 years. Now he'll go tariff crazy and we'll see inflation skyrocket.

If I didn't have my mid-term performance review today, I'd be calling in sick and drowning my grief in a bottle of scotch.

 

[cbum]

The US federal judiciary will be beyond the pale for the rest of my life.

 

[Eric]

I'm just looking forward to the brain worm bear head guy being in charge of everyone's medical needs, finally a sensible solution.

 

[Eric]

I feel ill. A voice in my head is saying "Truly, these are the end times". Putin will be emboldened by his puppet being back in the White House. Ukraine will no longer receive aid from the US. Nato will need to take on this fight without the US backing.

And China? Bye-bye Taiwan. Trump had set back relations with China 30 years. Now he'll go tariff crazy and we'll see inflation skyrocket.

If I didn't have my mid-term performance review today, I'd be calling in sick and drowning my grief in a bottle of scotch.

My take on it is, in the current climate, Americans want an authoritarian leader, not a diplomat. We'll have to see how it goes down the road if cooler more rational heads prevail but look for another whirlwind over the next four years, as it was during his first. It's bummer because I was really ready to see things calm down for a while.

I also think many of us will take a page from the Republican playbook and start tuning out of the media, facts no longer matter anyway.

 

[GermanSuplex]

My take on it is, in the current climate, Americans want an authoritarian leader, not a diplomat. We'll have to see how it goes down the road if cooler more rational heads prevail but look for another whirlwind over the next four years, as it was during his first. It's bummer because I was really ready to see things calm down for a while.

I also think many of us will take a page from the Republican playbook and start tuning out of the media, facts no longer matter anyway.

I think Herdfan was right in that some people just vote with their wallet. We’d like to think more voters weigh things, but a lot of people just aren’t interested in any news or politics (and who can blame them) and were just as willing to toss him out as they were to re-elect him.

Everything else is white noise to them, for better and for worse. Perhaps this win will cause republicans to sit back and enjoy their victory, and cool off. I think Trump can choose to further erode faith in our institutions, but he may want to back off if he wants his two victories seen as legitimate (which they were, but so was 2020).

 

[Renzatic]

We’d like to think more voters weigh things, but a lot of people just aren’t interested in any news or politics (and who can blame them) and were just as willing to toss him out as they were to re-elect him.

This is true. Whether it's warranted or not, most people blame the current administration for inflation, and remember the economy during Trump's tenure fondly. Perception is what's most important here, not raw facts.

Though if Trump implements even half of what he's sworn to do, I expect we're all in for a very rude awakening. By this point, the only way out is through.