Apple News Today: One Interesting Election Trend That’s Flying Under the Radar
Release Date: November 8, 2024
Host: Shumita Basu

Introduction

In the November 8, 2024 episode of Apple News Today, host Shumita Basu delves into the nuances of the recent election, highlighting trends and under-the-radar factors that influenced the outcomes. The episode navigates through the themes of gender dynamics in voting, the economic and cultural shifts in small industrial towns, and the broader implications for the Democratic Party moving forward.

Gender and the Election Outcome

Exploring the Role of Gender in the 2024 Election

Shumita Basu opens the discussion by addressing the reelection of Donald Trump and the concerns among Democrats, especially Democratic women, regarding the influence of gender in the election results.

Key Insights:

• Elena Schneider's Analysis:
  Timestamp [00:49]
  Schneider, writing for Politico, highlights the disheartening sentiment among Democratic women about not seeing a woman president in their lifetimes.

  "The majority of the women that I spoke to said that, yes, all those things were true. And sexism and racism are inextricably linked to our politics and to our culture." – Elena Schneider

• Sexism and Racism as Influential Factors:
  Timestamp [01:25]
  Schneider emphasizes that beyond economic factors and political ties, sexism played a significant role in the election. She points out Trump's use of gendered and racist attacks, particularly targeting Vice President Kamala Harris.

  "To deny that Donald Trump used gendered, sexist, and sometimes racist attacks... is to deny what we all saw." – Elena Schneider

• Trump's Appeal to Female Voters:
  Timestamp [02:11]
  Despite Trump's derogatory remarks towards Harris, some of his female supporters remained unfazed, citing financial security as a primary concern over gender issues.

  "Not a bit, no." – Elena Schneider, responding to concerns about Trump's comments.

• Historical Voting Patterns Among Women:
  Timestamp [02:15-03:21]
  Basu outlines the complex voting behaviors among women, noting that while Democratic women, especially Black women, showed strong support for Harris, white women historically lean Republican. This pattern persisted in the 2024 election, indicating narrow gains for Trump among women.

• Impact on Democratic Strategy:
  Timestamp [03:21]
  North Carolina State Senator Sidney Batch expresses frustration over white women's voting behavior, urging the Democratic Party to introspect and address the underlying causes of their loss.

Quotes Highlight:

• "Sexism and racism are inextricably linked to our politics and to our culture." – Elena Schneider [01:25]
• "A defeat does not mean we are defeated." – President Joe Biden [10:32]

Case Study: Charleroi, Pennsylvania

Economic Decline and Cultural Shifts Influence Voting Behavior

Basu transitions to a case study of Charleroi, a small industrial town in western Pennsylvania, to illustrate the broader election trends.

Key Insights:

• Economic Challenges:
  Timestamp [06:07]
  The closure of the Pyrex factory led to significant job losses, eroding the economic stability of the town.

  "Hundreds of union jobs, well-paying union jobs, were going to disappear from Charleroi." – George Packer

• Immigration and Community Dynamics:
  Timestamp [06:27]
  An influx of 2,000 immigrants changed the town's demographics, leading Trump to highlight these changes at rallies, despite immigrants being legal and economically beneficial.

  "Donald Trump's campaign... began mentioning it at his rallies." – Shumita Basu

• Misinformation and Its Effects:
  Timestamp [06:43]
  Trump inaccurately portrayed Charleroi as struggling due to undocumented migrants, causing fear and resentment among residents.

  "Trump put his finger in that wound and heedlessly stirred up people's anxieties." – George Packer

• Political Abandonment by Democrats:
  Timestamp [07:55]
  Formerly a Democratic stronghold, residents felt neglected by the party, perceiving a disconnect between their needs and the Democrats' priorities.

  "People increasingly felt Democrats don't represent them." – George Packer

• Shift Towards Resentment and Alienation:
  Timestamp [08:09]
  With Democrats seen as out of touch, voters gravitated towards Trump's message, which resonated with their feelings of anger and alienation.

  "People are more likely to choose the party that appeals to the resentments, the anger, the alienation, and that's Trump's party." – George Packer

Quotes Highlight:

• "People... chose the party that appeals to their resentments and anger." – George Packer [08:09]
• "It's very hard to create that sense of 'I understand you, I'm actually one of you.'" – George Packer [09:32]

Biden's Address to the Nation

Call for Unity and Resilience Among Democrats

Following the election results, President Joe Biden addressed the nation, focusing on healing and moving forward despite the setbacks.

Key Insights:

• Recognition of Kamala Harris:
  Timestamp [10:16]
  Biden praised Vice President Harris for her character and campaign efforts.

  "Something I hope we can do... is see each other not as adversaries, but as fellow Americans." – Joe Biden

• Encouragement to Democrats:
  Timestamp [10:27]
  Biden encouraged Democrats not to view the election as an end but as a temporary setback.

  "Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable." – Joe Biden

• Message of Resilience:
  Timestamp [10:32]
  Emphasizing perseverance, Biden urged the party to recover and continue striving for their goals.

  "A defeat does not mean we are defeated." – Joe Biden

Additional Election-Related Stories

Granular Voting Patterns and Prohibition Repeal

Basu touches upon other noteworthy election insights and local developments.

• Discrepancies in Voting for Senate vs. Vice President Harris:
  Timestamp [10:48]
  Vox reports that several Democratic Senate candidates outperformed Vice President Harris, suggesting a nuanced voter behavior where support for the administration may not directly translate to support for its candidates.

  • Andrew Prokop's Insight: The divergent results could indicate a broader rejection of the administration rather than underlying issues of sexism or racism alone.

• End of Prohibition in Chicago's Lincoln Square:

  • Timestamp [10:48]
    A historic precinct in Chicago repealed a 117-year-old ban on alcohol sales, reflecting changing societal norms and local demands. The repeal was largely driven by restaurant owners and local officials who deemed the ban outdated.

    "At the risk of stating the obvious, a lot has changed in the last 117 years." – Local Official

Conclusion

The episode of Apple News Today provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 election, uncovering the intricate interplay between gender dynamics, economic shifts, and political strategies. Through expert interviews and on-the-ground reporting, Shumita Basu paints a vivid picture of the challenges and opportunities facing the Democratic Party as it seeks to reconnect with its base and address the evolving concerns of American voters.

Listeners are encouraged to explore further discussions in the Apple News app, including an upcoming episode titled Apple News in Conversation, which delves deeper into the election results and the electorate's expectations for future leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• "To deny that Donald Trump used gendered, sexist, and sometimes racist attacks... is to deny what we all saw." – Elena Schneider [01:25]
• "People are more likely to choose the party that appeals to the resentments, the anger, the alienation, and that's Trump's party." – George Packer [08:09]
• "A defeat does not mean we are defeated." – Joe Biden [10:32]

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the Apple News Today episode, providing an informative overview for those who have not listened to the original podcast.