This was written a week ago.
I’ve read extensively online about Donald Trump winning "big and fast" in the 2024 election. But this outcome can also be seen as Joe Biden's party losing "big and fast."
The results, however, seem to reflect less about the popularity of the Republican Party and more about widespread dissatisfaction with the Democrats. In essence, it was the Democratic Party's poor performance that paved the way for Trump’s decisive victory.
Inflation and Economic Mismanagement
First and foremost, there was a groundswell of discontent over soaring inflation. The prices of basic necessities like eggs, milk, and beef more than doubled, disproportionately impacting poorer communities. What matters most to average people is their "菜篮子" (cài lán zi)—literally "the vegetable basket," a term symbolizing the affordability and availability of everyday essentials like food. In a broader sense, it represents people's livelihoods, highlighting the pressing economic issues that affect ordinary citizens' well-being.
Yet, Democratic leadership, perched in an elite ivory tower, failed not only to see but also to address the day-to-day struggles of grassroots Americans, working-class, and low-income Americans. The party’s preoccupation with progressive cultural agendas, while appealing to urban and affluent voters, alienated rural and vast lower or middle-class communities who felt ignored or left behind.
The Perception of Elitism
Secondly, there was a growing perception among ordinary Americans that today’s Democratic leaders had become disconnected elites—aloof and out of touch with the masses. Their tone often came across as condescending, which many found deeply off-putting. Even traditionally loyal Democratic voters were disenchanted by this apparent elitism.
Terms like "bai-zuo" or "white liberals," often associated with "priggishness, pontification, and pomposity," aptly captured the frustration of many Americans. Instead of feeling represented, they felt lectured to—alienated rather than included.
A "Vote Against" the Democrats
More than anything else, the 2024 election outcome was a resounding "vote against" the Democratic Party rather than an enthusiastic endorsement of Republican Party. The fact that Republicans secured both the presidency and control of Congress speaks volumes about the electorate's dissatisfaction with the incumbent party. It wasn’t a sweeping mandate for the opposition, but rather a loud rejection of the status quo.
Lessons from History
Mao Zedong once emphasized the importance of “不要脱离群众” (bù yào tuō lí qún zhòng)—"Don’t distance yourself from the masses" or "Stay connected with the rank-and-file people." The Democratic Party might have avoided such a devastating loss if its leaders had prioritized staying close to their base, understanding their daily struggles, and addressing their concerns.
The lesson is clear: leadership disconnected from the people is bound to falter. For the Democrats to rebuild, they must reconnect with the broader community and focus on tangible issues that resonate with everyday Americans, the domestic people they are supposed to serve.