Why Trump Won (Victor Davis Hanson)

Hoover Institution ^ | November 11, 2016 | Victor Davis Hanson

[Semper911]

Throughout the course of the 2016 election, the conventional groupthink was that the renegade Donald Trump had irrevocably torn apart the Republican Party. His base populism supposedly sandbagged more experienced and electable Republican candidates, who were bewildered that a

[Bob434]

Yeah i understand, I used to love well written articles too- before fibromylagia struck - my brain is tired now- trouble concentrating- following lengthy articles now- They call it ‘brain fog’- it’s awful-

[loveliberty2]

Let us never forget the philosophical foundation document of our liberties, and the solemn assertions of its closing paragraph:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor." (Declaration of Independence--Author, Thomas Jefferson) Signed by brave and courageous men who risked death for their act on behalf of our liberty

[BlueStateRightist]

“Barack Obama entered office in 2009 with both houses of Congress, two likely Supreme Court picks, and the good will of the nation. By 2010 he had lost the House; by 2012, the Senate.”

One factual error: Obama lost the Senate in 2014, not 2012.

[Electric Graffiti]

This election was about Americans vs Traitors. All those asshats taking shots at Trump after he won the nomination.....their careers are over.

[Walkingfeather]

language warning... send this to your liberal friends......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLG9g7BcjKs

[uncitizen]

When the LSM tells you what is happening in the world/country/society, you can be sure that is exactly what is NOT happening in the world/country/society, but instead it is what they WANT to be happening in the w/c/s.

[Nifster]

A good read. Unfortunately the senate has too many dems and squishy republicans to be useful

[DoughtyOne]

Don’t have any general dislike for Hanson. He seems to be enjoyed by many folks here. My memory was jogged by an article appearing on the forum on 11/03/2016 titled: Has Clinton Topped Nixon?

I wasn’t appreciative of the comparison of the two. This was based on my belief the media has twisted Nixon into some demon now viewed by many to be lower than the Devil himself.

Based on that I wrote a response to Hanson’s comments.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3488562/posts?page=40#40

[Chances Are]

The Democrats could learn a lot by reading his post-mortem of the 2016 election.

Sure, but are they capable of doing so?

Also, I take issue with his diagnosis that the party appeals to just 40% of the electorate now.

I thinks it's closer to 35%, and that's where it tops out.

CA...

[Semper911]

Really sorry to hear that, Bob. Maybe try a text to speech app? They have really improved in the last few years. Or try reading small bits at a time, taking breaks?

It must really disrupt your freeping! Hang in there...

[Gaffer]

.....would dare to pander to hoi polloi by promising deportations of illegal aliens...

This was the assessment of so-called conservative elites thinking Donald was pandering to "hoi polloi?"

Drive by America is "hoi polloi?" I'll give you the reason in a short, concise statement:

Donald Trump won because he had his fingers on the pulse of drive-by America and didn't care about GOP elitists, media pundits and politicians who didn't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

[Semper911]

One factual error: Obama lost the Senate in 2014, not 2012.

Good catch.

[Semper911]

That gives me chills every time I read it. And never more than just now. Thanks so much for posting it.

[randita]

Perhaps he was anti-Trump during the primaries, but during the general, he backed Trump. He was one of the lone wolves at NR to do so.

[sparklite2]

I will wait for his self-analysis.

---

That’s a good point. When VDH publishes his mea culpa, I’ll start reading him again. Until then, he can sit on the dunce stool with George Will.

[Bob434]

Thanks- I generally just skim the excerpts- (sometimes that gets me in trouble for responding because i don’t read the whole article lol)- if a longer article grabs my attention, I’ll read through it like you say- in bits and pieces-

[PGalt]

Overall an very good article, but some paragraphs should have been in ALL CAPS...and some sentences in smaller font.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Yes, that will be interesting to read if he ever writes it.
He was unable to see any of this beforehand, that we “uneducated” saw early on.

[Rummyfan]

A municipal party. A party to manage cities.

And they do such a good job at that. Detroit, Chicago, Phladelphia, Baltimore, Newark....

[blueunicorn6]

Hillary Clinton was an awful candidate.

She ran a terrible campaign.

Yet, she almost won.

Donald Trump worked his behind off, and almost lost.

Conservatives have the best ideas and programs.

They need to be able to communicate these ideas and programs in a manner in which traditional Democrat voters can understand.