Based on HT's reporting from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, its ground reporting from swing states in the past fortnight, and conversations with aides in Trump's ecosystem, it is clear that the Republican win in 2024 represents a much larger structural shift in American politics than Trump's 2016 win.
Indeed, Trump's win is akin to Narendra Modi's spectacular wins in 2014 and 2019 that legitimized BJP's ideological worldview, expanded the party's social coalition, and introduced a new way of campaigning.
Let us examine each of these elements in the American context separately.
The promise of a better life
Borrowing from another legendary Republican president Ronald Reagan, Trump's campaign rested on a simple question to American voters: was their life better off now, or was it better off under Trump?
For many, the answer was that it was indeed better under Trump, despite the devastation caused by the pandemic under his watch, for which, like Indian voters, Americans forgave the government and attributed it factors outside anyone's control.
Quantifying how life was better boiled down to four factors.
The first was inflation. From the young and old, from Whites and Blacks and Hispanics, from men and women, on the campaign trail, HT repeatedly heard a common refrain; inflation in the past four years had been crushing. Gas, grocery, and housing prices cumulatively meant that Joe Biden's otherwise credible economic record didn't trickle down to what citizens felt in their everyday life. If there was a single driver of Trump's win, it was probably high prices. And the Republican campaign smartly focused on this question in most of its messaging, attributing blame to Biden and promising lower costs under Trump.
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times Delhi.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 07, 2024-utgaven av Hindustan Times Delhi.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Biren Singh a liability for party, state, people
Manipur's chief minister N Biren Singh is a liability for the state, its people and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and even President's Rule is preferable compared to his administration, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma said on Thursday, hitting out at his embattled neighbour over violence that has raged for 18 months now.
Collegium picks Delhi HC chief for top court
The Supreme Court collegium on Thursday recommended the elevation of Delhi high court chief justice Manmohan to the apex court.
2.5mn Indians died from rising air pollution
At least 2.5 million people in India have died on account of health issues arising from air pollution caused by so-called landscape fires (such as those caused by the burning of farm stubble) between 2000 and 2019, according to a study published by Lancet on Wednesday.
Put A Period To The Silent Suffering
As Neha Bhasin's struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder has sparked a discussion, let's dive deep into this medical disorder
Keerthy Suresh confirms relationship with Antony Thattil
Actor Keerthy Suresh, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Baby John co-starring Varun Dhawan, recently shared her first-ever picture with long-time boyfriend, businessman Antony Thattil, on Instagram.
After brother Chay, Akhil Akkineni is also engaged
Days ahead of actor Naga Chaitanya's wedding with actor Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4, his younger brother, actor Akhil Akkineni, 30, has also announced his engagement with artist Zulfi Ravdjee, 39.
RUPALI'S STEPDAUGHTER RELEASES 'FINAL' STATEMENT AFTER DEFAMATION SUIT
Actor Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma criticised the defamation case against her in a recent post, clarifying that she was only exercising her rights
FEUD INTENSIFIES AS DHANUSH SUES NAYANTHARA
After Nayanthara accused Dhanush of a 'personal grudge', the actor has filed a suit against her for using footage from his production without authorisation
Delivering an Olympics, a complicated process
Sebastian Coe, the only man in Olympic history to win back-to-back 1,500m gold medals, who heads World Athletics and is in the running to be the next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), brought up the Perth Test.
Anticipated shuffle: Rohit and Gill for Padikkal, Jurel
The focus at this weekend's warm-up game will be on changes India could make for Adelaide's pink-ball Test match