The Run-Through with Vogue: Jack Schlossberg on the Lessons We Can Take Away From This Election

Release Date: November 6, 2024

In this insightful episode of The Run-Through with Vogue, hosts Chloe Mel and Taylor Antrim engage in a profound conversation with Vogue's political correspondent, Jack Schlossberg. The discussion delves into the recent U.S. presidential election where Donald Trump secured both the Electoral College and the popular vote, exploring the implications for the Democratic Party, the role of media, and the future of political campaigning.

1. Election Night Reflections

Immediate Reactions and Personal Experience

Jack Schlossberg begins by recounting his personal experience on election night. Despite his efforts to watch the results with his family, the quickly unfolding events led him to leave early due to the mounting tension.

"[01:27] Jack Schlossberg: This morning I had a good time. I was by myself. I tried to watch with my sisters and dad, but I lasted about five minutes and went home."

He candidly shares his disappointment in the Democratic loss but remains inspired by the substantial base of support within the party.

"[02:24] Jack Schlossberg: I find it fascinating. I'm not sad. I mean, I'm disappointed my person that I voted for didn't win... I feel like maybe it didn't work out, but... it often goes back and forth."

2. Analyzing the Election Results

Demographic Shifts and Voting Patterns

Jack provides a nuanced analysis of the election outcomes, highlighting unexpected voting behaviors among key demographics. Notably, Hispanic men and young men showed significant support for Trump, diverging from previous trends.

"[07:02] Jack Schlossberg: Kamala Harris did pretty well with white voters, but did not as well with non-white voters. Hispanic men, I think, voted for Trump in large numbers and young men as well."

Economic Factors and Messaging

A central theme in the discussion is the pivotal role of the economy. Jack attributes the Democratic loss to inadequate communication of their economic record amidst persistent headwinds like inflation. In contrast, Trump's clear and consistently communicated messages on lower taxes and anti-immigration resonated effectively with voters.

"[05:19] Jack Schlossberg: Democrats didn't do a great job selling the economic record over the last four years... Trump won because he's a really amazing omnipresent media figure."

He emphasizes that while issues such as democracy, freedom, and reproductive rights were championed by Democrats, they failed to translate these themes into compelling messages compared to Trump's straightforward approach.

3. The Role of Media in Modern Campaigns

Traditional vs. Social Media

Jack critically examines the evolving landscape of political media. He notes that traditional media channels are losing their influence, with social media taking center stage in shaping political narratives and campaigns.

"[10:51] Jack Schlossberg: A story from this election that is undoubtedly true and gonna shape politics going forward is that social media is now central to political campaigns."

He observes that successful campaigns now rely heavily on digital content creation, often managed by young teams adept at engaging audiences through platforms like podcasts and streaming services.

"[11:35] Jack Schlossberg: They make social media videos or else they'll be watching something else."

Media Bubbles and Diverse Opinions

The conversation also touches upon the fragmentation of media consumption, creating echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

"[09:39] Jack Schlossberg: Trump has become something other than what I thought of him as since he left office last time, and now he maintains mainstream."

4. Reproductive Rights and Social Issues

Impact on Voting Behavior

While reproductive rights were a significant issue during the midterm elections, Jack notes a surprising decline in its influence during the presidential race. This shift suggests that economic concerns took precedence over social issues in voters' decision-making processes.

"[12:13] Jack Schlossberg: Reproductive rights were extremely motivating during the midterm elections, but during the presidential election, it seemed to be way less of a factor in people's voting preferences."

Strategic Shifts for Democrats

Jack posits that the Democratic Party may need to recalibrate its focus, emphasizing economic policies alongside their commitment to social issues to better resonate with a broader electorate.

"[06:28] Taylor Antrim: They focus too much on social media and all this, like, reproductive rights and stuff. They have to tweak it."

5. Bright Spots and Future Leaders for Democrats

Key Wins and Inspirational Figures

Despite the overall loss, Jack highlights several victories that offer hope for the Democratic Party. Notable successes include:

• Tammy Baldwin’s Victory in Wisconsin: Maintaining her Senate seat underscores the party's resilience in traditionally contested states.

  "[15:55] Chloe Mel: Josh Stein beat Mark Robinson."

• Sarah McBride’s Historic Win: As the first transgender representative in U.S. history from Delaware, McBride's election represents a significant milestone in political diversity.

  "[16:12] Jack Schlossberg: Sarah McBride, first trance transgender rep in U.S. history, in Delaware."

Emerging Democratic Leaders

Jack expresses optimism about the next generation of Democratic leaders who are poised to rejuvenate the party with fresh perspectives and dynamic campaigning strategies.

"[16:39] Jack Schlossberg: Democrats have tons of super compelling, inspiring senators and governors from across the country... Lee did amazing. But Speaker Pelosi is no longer gonna be running the party."

He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the ability to harness new media to engage voters effectively.

"[17:56] Jack Schlossberg: The next person has got to be really good on social media. I'm convinced of this."

6. Coping with Election Outcomes

Maintaining Normalcy and Mental Health

As the electorate grapples with the election results, Jack and the hosts discuss strategies for emotional resilience. Jack shares his personal method of reading poetry to process his feelings, highlighting the importance of finding solace in cultural and artistic expressions.

"[23:15] Jack Schlossberg: Well, I started reading poetry last night... I found some good Robert Frost poems that I like."

Guidance for Families and Communities

The conversation also touches on the significance of providing reassurance, especially to younger family members, emphasizing the need to project stability and optimism in the face of political setbacks.

"[20:50] Jack Schlossberg: I feel like, even if she had won none of this, we would still have to keep working really hard."

7. Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

Adapting Campaign Strategies

Jack underscores the necessity for the Democratic Party to evolve its campaign strategies, particularly in embracing digital media and crafting clear, impactful messages that address voters' immediate concerns.

"[18:14] Jack Schlossberg: Democrats have a problem with articulating a message. They need to clearly change what it's focusing on."

Optimism for Future Elections

Despite the recent loss, there is a shared sense of optimism that the Democratic Party can leverage its passionate base and emerging leaders to mount stronger campaigns in future elections.

"[19:54] Jack Schlossberg: We did do something to try to fix it and nominate a woman of color to be the President of the United States. That's a huge deal."

Conclusion

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue offers a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, shedding light on the factors that influenced the outcome and outlining the path forward for the Democratic Party. Jack Schlossberg's candid reflections provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of political campaigning, the critical role of media, and the enduring resilience of democratic engagement. As the political landscape continues to shift, the lessons gleaned from this discussion will be instrumental in shaping future strategies and fostering a more engaged electorate.

Notable Quotes:

• "[05:19] Jack Schlossberg: Democrats didn't do a great job selling the economic record over the last four years... Trump won because he's a really amazing omnipresent media figure."

• "[10:51] Jack Schlossberg: Social media is now central to political campaigns."

• "[16:39] Jack Schlossberg: Changing of the guard in a major way... the party needs to clearly change what it's focusing on."

• "[23:15] Jack Schlossberg: Reading poetry helps me process my feelings after the election."

Produced by: Chelsea Daniel, Alex DePalma, and Joanne Solotarov
Engineered by: Jake Loomis and James Yost
Mixed by: Mike Kutchman
Executive Producer: Stephanie Kariuki
Head of Global Audio: Chris Bannon, Conde Nast

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