General Discussion

TwilightZone

(28,834 posts)

6. We don't understand voter motivations anywhere near as much as we think we do.

Wed Nov 6, 2024, 11:54 AM

Nov 6

They're not always rational, yet we try to apply rationality to them.

We insist that many are voting against their own best interests, but assuming that we know best what those interests should be is just presumptuous.

Voters and groups of voters aren't monolithic, and they don't all have the same reasons for voting. We try to make them fit in nice, neat boxes, yet every voter has their own unique combination of motives and issues they use to decide for whom to vote.

Making an attempt to better understand those motivations rather than just assuming we already know what they are should be a first step to better understanding the big picture.

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Highlight:

We were told a decade ago that we would reach a tipping point [View all] bigtree Nov 6 OP

Ta-da! Hotler Nov 6 #1

They wanted to knee-cap the Democratic Party and they pretty much succeeded FakeNoose Nov 6 #2

The Latino men who voted are citizens. They don't consider themselves the "other", subject to deportation. SharonAnn Nov 6 #19

That's my take on it. ananda Nov 6 #23

There are millions of proud Americans today, sadly. kerouac2 Nov 6 #3

"the democracy MOST polled said they were most concerned about" Dave says Nov 6 #4

"the democracy MOST polled said they were most concerned about" markodochartaigh Nov 6 #18

Remember Trump was saying Dems would destroy democracy if Harris was elected. That we'd never vote again. etc. Hamlette Nov 6 #38

This message was self-deleted by its author Nanuke Nov 6 #5

Of course they're Americans. One can be an American citizen & still hold anti-American views. -nt CrispyQ Nov 6 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author Nanuke Nov 6 #15

Gotcha. CrispyQ Nov 6 #16

Rural? 2naSalit Nov 6 #29

You're right. -nt CrispyQ Nov 6 #36

By a small percentage only whathehell Nov 6 #30

We don't understand voter motivations anywhere near as much as we think we do. TwilightZone Nov 6 #6

I don't accept most of what's said about their motivations bigtree Nov 6 #8

THIS!! DemonGoddess Nov 6 #17

Yes ... truly ... you have nailed it! FakeNoose Nov 6 #25

add misogyny. They want to relegate women to second class citizens controlled by the men onetexan Nov 6 #27

They already did that, and I feel the pain of so many younger women. BComplex Nov 6 #31

Well, their "best interests" means destroying other people... ananda Nov 6 #24

Indeed. I think a large part of it is how sophisticated means of spreading disinformation have become drray23 Nov 6 #7

Big Why? aanai Nov 6 #10

you mean they assumed the US president controls Israel's military? bigtree Nov 6 #13

Fuck Middle east problems. WE are about to face serious Middle America problems... Moostache Nov 6 #14

Agreed on all counts. GaYellowDawg Nov 6 #37

Think it through. Trump & Netanyahu are on the same page - TBF Nov 6 #20

The difference is men who can't bring themselves to vote for a woman FakeNoose Nov 6 #35

Welcome to 1933!!!!!! Coventina Nov 6 #11

This is far, far worse than Germany 1933... Moostache Nov 6 #12

This makes me want to cry GaYellowDawg Nov 6 #39

So what is to be done? Metaphorical Nov 6 #40

I have a feeling we may have seen the last real election?? He told the evangelicals they wouldn't have to vote anymore.. Evolve Dammit Nov 6 #21

At least he detests facial hair so we won't have to deal with the tiny moustache nt Xipe Totec Nov 6 #22

Evidence to the contrary SleeplessinSoCal Nov 6 #26

On his own face. But I wonder how long till he makes JD shave. Xipe Totec Nov 6 #32

R's are so clueless, most are in 100% denial that they elected a fascist - although that's the total truth.. lark Nov 6 #28

This TikTok video clearly explains it Yavin4 Nov 6 #33

The US supported Mussolini unti he aligned LeftInTX Nov 6 #34

Hitler 1933: Trump 2024. Surreal Joinfortmill Nov 6 #41

Thank you. Those same supporters didn't mind when he said, "I don't care about you, I just want your vote." ancianita Nov 6 #42

I guess people were lying to pollsters. alarimer Nov 6 #43