The Forest and the Trees

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/14/opinion/identity-groups-politics.html

("Why We Got It So Wrong")

Why did the Dems lose? The most simple explanation is that the party out of power always has the distinct advantage of playing the blame game on the party in control. And nobody, but nobody plays the blame game better than Donald Trump.

History teaches us that whoever is in charge in this country of the keys to the kingdom is in trouble. America is forever ripe for change. That is why over the last 72 years only once has a party remained in control of the White House for three consecutive terms.

Are you better off than you were four years ago is a running mantra through our election cycles. When you combine the mindset of a public pre-disposed to find fault in their rulers, with the complete abolition of truth, reason and moral restraints in the arguments of Donald Trump and those who bend the knee before him, it is easy (in hindsight, with the benefit of an ass whupping as guide) to understand what just transpired.

Fear, anger, hatred are a much easier sell than what the Democrats offered up. Dystopia topped the hit charts.

While Mr. Brooks analysis is intriguing I believe it misses the forest for the trees. The Dems lost because they were vulnerable, as all incumbent parties are and because the pervasive noise emanating from Mr. Trump drowned everything else out.