It actually worked to our advantage. Constant bullying meant that Repubs “kept calm, and carried on” and totally SHOCKED Dems with victory of Trump. They had so effectively silenced anyone seeking civility that they had NO IDEA how far they were behind in the polls the entire time; surely they would have worked harder to steal the vote. Hard facts didn’t matter (negative demographics) - they knew what they heard in their day to day lives was unanimous for Hillary. Then we won and some realized we just weren’t talking about Trump; we waited to vote for him.
So true; just because they silenced contrary views didn’t mean we disappeared. Hillary for one understood she was in danger, and the pundits that downplayed the significance of her campaigning in the Deep Ghetto (Philly) right before the election (while Trump was venturing out into Dem states) certainly knew there were problems.
If blacks had supported her with any enthusiasm she’d be president (she lost key states where they could have put her over the top); I give credit where it is due.