Schieffer and Dowd on Trump's victory, voter anger

Summary

The video transcript discusses Donald Trump's unexpected 2016 election victory, reflecting on the failure of pre-election polling and Hillary Clinton's campaign. The conversation delves into the electorate's anger and disillusionment with Washington, highlighting their desire for change. Maureen Dowd and Bob Schieffer explore Trump's campaign strategy and speculate on how he will approach governing. They also touch on the Republican Party's transformation under Trump, the alt-right's influence, and the challenges Clinton faced in energizing voters, particularly women. The dialogue concludes with thoughts on the nation's continued political division.

Takeaways

• 📰 Donald Trump's victory defied pre-election polling and surprised many.
• 😠 The electorate's mood was more about anger than anxiety, expressing frustration with the political establishment.
• 📞 Maureen Dowd discusses with her brother how many voters hid their true voting intentions from pollsters.
• 💼 Voters were fed up with politicians enriching themselves and neglecting the working class.
• 🎭 Trump has been described as playing a character during the campaign, and now there are questions about how he will act in the presidency.
• ⚖️ Profound policy changes are expected, with a Republican-controlled Congress tackling issues like immigration, healthcare, and the Supreme Court.
• 🏛️ Trump is expected to lead a different Republican Party, marking a shift from traditional GOP values.
• ❓ Uncertainty looms regarding the influence of the alt-right on Trump's presidency.
• 🚧 There is a widespread sentiment that the government has failed to address basic issues like infrastructure, contributing to public discontent.
• 👩‍🦰 Hillary Clinton's campaign failed to excite key demographics, including young women, and she was seen as too incremental in a time of revolutionary change.

Q & A

What was the general reaction to Donald Trump's election victory?

Donald Trump's victory was a surprise and defied pre-election polling. The general reaction was shock, with many reflecting on the failure of the predictions and the anger of the electorate.

What emotions were driving voters in the 2016 election, according to the discussion?

The primary emotion driving voters was anger. They were fed up with politicians in Washington enriching themselves and ignoring the working class.

What was Maureen Dowd's observation about Trump's campaign strategy?

Maureen Dowd compared Trump to a bank robber who unexpectedly found the doors open. He did not face the anticipated obstacles during the Republican primary and general election, which stunned even Trump.

How did Bob Schieffer describe the state of Washington in relation to the voters?

Bob Schieffer described voters as believing that the government had failed them. Washington was seen as ineffective, with partisan gridlock even affecting basic issues like infrastructure.

Why did Hillary Clinton fail to generate excitement, especially among women voters?

Hillary Clinton failed to generate excitement because many voters saw her as an incrementalist in a revolutionary year. Despite the historic nature of her candidacy, young women did not turn out in large numbers for her.

What did Michelle Norris's comment about the 'cracked window in a woman's car' signify?

Michelle Norris's comment about the 'cracked window in a woman's car' referred to the concerns of rural, working-class women, indicating that the election was not just about breaking the glass ceiling but addressing the everyday struggles of ordinary people.

How did Bob Schieffer relate Trump's win to previous elections?

Bob Schieffer noted that this was the second time in less than 20 years that a candidate, like Hillary Clinton, won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College, creating a divide in the country.

What does the discussion suggest about the future direction of the Republican Party under Trump?

The discussion suggests that the Republican Party, under Trump, will be very different from the traditional Republican Party, with unknown changes to come in areas like health care, immigration, and trade.

What was the significance of Harry Truman's quote about the presidency mentioned in the discussion?

The quote from Harry Truman emphasizes that the true test of a president's capability only comes after they assume office. It reflects uncertainty about how Trump would handle the responsibilities of the presidency.

How did Maureen Dowd summarize the mood in Washington post-election?

Maureen Dowd reflected that the mood in Washington was one of deep division, despite Trump's victory, as the country was still split with Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote.