Voters were primarily frustrated by inflation, which was the number one issue mentioned in focus groups. High costs of living, especially housing, were also significant sources of frustration.
The podcast highlights post-COVID inflation and immigration as key global factors affecting voter sentiment. These issues contributed to a general sense of dissatisfaction among voters.
Democrats unified against Bush's move to privatize Social Security, making it a central issue in the media. They effectively communicated that Bush was going against his promises, leading to his defeat.
The podcast advises to let Trump make mistakes due to his lack of discipline and competence. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared and hopeful for future battles.
Focus groups provide direct insights from voters, helping to identify key issues like inflation and housing costs that significantly impact their decisions.
The best way to understand what happened on Tuesday is to listen to what the actual voters have been saying. Dan checks back in with two strategists who run focus groups with key parts of the electorate: Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark, who's been talking to Trump-curious swing voters for months, and Carlos Odio of Equis Research, an expert on the Latino vote. Sarah and Carlos discuss some of the warning signs that were blinking red long before last week, and how we can recognize them—and act on them—in the future.