"One of the main media takeaways from the 2024 election was the much-discussed vibe shift. That is, a resurgence of cultural conservatism and a backlash to the shifting cultural attitudes on race, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration and the wokeness of the Obama and first Trump eras. The conservatives were in control not only of the White House, but, more importantly to them, the culture. Corporations, media outlets, and even Democratic politicians who had sought to portray a tolerant, inclusive image rushed to match this new vibe."
"Of course, the evidence for this shift was scant. Trump had won the election without a popular vote majority, and a closer look at the results showed a more conventional explanation: voters, rather than yearning for the days before there were interracial couples in television commercials or demanding a military crackdown on their cities, thought that they were working too hard for too little and maybe Trump would change it. They wanted lower prices, higher wages and a feeling of security."
"The first electoral message of the second Trump era was an extremely strong one. Democrats beat Republicans up and down the ballot by shocking margins. In blue cities, progressives and democratic socialists beat moderates. Turnout was unprecedented for an off-year election. Democrats won the races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia by significantly more than both the 2024 results and the polls projected."
A perceived cultural 'vibe shift' touted a resurgence of cultural conservatism and a backlash against changing attitudes on race, LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, and prior administrations' wokeness. Corporations, media outlets, and some Democratic politicians adjusted their public posture to align with that perceived shift. Electoral analysis showed the 2024 result lacked a popular vote majority and that voters were primarily motivated by economic concerns: lower prices, higher wages, and security. One year later, elections delivered a decisive Democratic wave: high turnout, progressive gains in blue cities, gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia, and notable statewide victories and policy outcomes favoring Democrats.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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