“There’s no ‘blue wave’ that materialized.”
We will all be trying to understand and make sense of the 2024 election for years to come.
There isn’t just a divide between us — there’s a crater. How can we see things so differently? Are there really two Americas? How can some view a candidate like Donald Trump as a hero and others as the devil incarnate? How can some of us view a candidate like Kamala Harris as a strong, competent woman, while others see a socialist who, despite her impressive resume, has accomplished little in her career? Is the left too self-righteous and preachy? Is the right simply bigoted and fearful about being displaced? Do we not appreciate people who are struggling — really struggling — and have lost hope? Who are we as a nation, anyway? Do we get the president we deserve? So many thoughts are swirling in my head.
I got to know Republican strategist Steve Schmidt during the 2008 campaign, when he worked for John McCain. I always appreciate his point of view, because it seems rooted in his understanding of historical trends. Before the election was officially called for Donald Trump, we had an important conversation about what this election means — for Democrats, for the future administration, and for our country as a whole.
I hope you take a listen. I found it profoundly moving and thought-provoking.
