How a candidate as flawed as Trump kept neck and neck with Kamala Harris

Alex Wagner considers the elements in American culture and politics that kept Donald Trump, who is supremely flawed as a candidate in addition to his egregious personal defects, roughly even in polling against Kamala Harris just days before Election Day. Michelle Goldberg, columnist for the New York Times, and Melissa Murray, co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, join to discuss. 

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#DonaldTrump #KamalaHarris #2024election

[pamelahammond]

If you say you’re undecided at this point, you are definitely voting for Trump, they just don’t want to say it out loud!

[MyDisavow]

These aren't 'undecided' voters. These are ignorant voters. They don't yet have the information, because they haven't opened their media bubble to get any information.

'Undecided' makes it sound like there's two options on the menu, both potentially good, one just potentially slightly better.

These guys aren't 'undecided'. They are looking at a menu in a foreign language and being told to pick one option and also 'choose correctly because one of these options is poisonous.'

It isn't 'undecided'. It's ignorance. It's a lack of knowledge. It's a lack of awareness. It's a lack of impact of previous political decisions - whether that impact hasn't existed or whether that impact existed but wasn't recognised as political (like people who desperately wanted 'Obamacare' to be overturned, because they got their healthcare through the ACA! Or like the people in the Midwest who haven't realised that the factory they now work in was built, funded and supported by the Chips Act that Congress passed and Biden signed).

I think the vocabulary needs to change for these people. Maybe 'disengaged voters' is better than 'undecided voters'.

[debmann]

omg. that room of men you were speaking to seriously have no idea what is at stake? so disconnected? That was so alarming, disturbing, sad and even sickening.

[burmanphd]

The "I do my own research" people need to do some research about what that means. Because they don't look critical. They look clueless. And that's frankly dangerous.

[GenaP]

I wish those undecided voters realized that this is not an election of policy but rather the type of government they will have.

[northside]

Undecided still??.. These people must be dense!

[exploreraa]

how is it possible those people dont know how they will vote? what kind of 'research' is it they think they need to do? And, when is this 'independent research' supposed to take place?

[andysfavoriterecipes]

I have a feeling none of those guys are going to actually vote

[kentmoore]

Across the world...we watch in horror...how?..how?...can anyone consider that orange sociopathic criminal conman loser?? ...America is bringing down the planet

[Russpng]

I'm fascinated by a large group of union workers being undecided. We're they too worried to say who they wanted to vote for?

[niclewis]

This is not close which is why Trump has become increasingly violent in his rhetoric. There's no low Trump won't go to distract from his disastrous policies for the Economy and the American people.

[lsdA]

The press abdicated its responsibility to inform the public about Donald Trump and his clear insanity.

[billsmith]

Only 2 reasons . He created a CULT and people are afraid of a bully . Lock Him Up

[Why]

Despite all of the above! He’s still not locked up yet?!

[cruiseny]

How the heck can people be undecided. It’s terrifying that the election can be hinged on these crazy people.

[castlekingside]

It may not matter to MAGA, but it does matter to the world.

[GameMusicAll]

"I have to do more research" means "I'm never going to do any research"

[peso]

He's convinced millions of Americans to believe his lies and has no remorse for the damage he causes, this is insane that he's not in jail

[Zurealz]

I'm sorry, America, that you have to go through this. If he wins, I believe the country as you know it will be gone. It will be beyond redemption, and something new will emerge—but it will not be healthy.

[Zoembi]

That means a lot of people want a dictator and a nut as their leader. But we can't let them vote to eat us. Such kind of candidates shouldnt be allowed to run for office.