The Ignored Hinterland

For John, BLUF:  I looked at the photo in the article and it reminded me of a relative's home in Southwestern Pennsylvania, when we visited it in the Summer of 2016.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Trump didn't form a populist coalition.  He was the result of one

From The Washington Examiner, by Reporter Salena Zito, 18 April 2021, 12:00 AM.

Here is the lede plus three:

They're still there, planted in front of stately homes in wealthy suburban neighborhoods, on flag poles in middle-class communities, and along the front stoops of inner-city row houses.

Whether they say "Trump 2020" or simply "Trump," there are plenty of people who have left their sentiments planted on their own personal hill.

It is not just here in Pennsylvania.  The signs are not hard to spot as you travel to the Great Lakes, the Midwest, and Appalachia.

The reason is complex.  People who come from a variety of socioeconomic, religious, and political experiences formed a conservative populist coalition long before Donald Trump descended Trump Tower's escalator in June 2015 in New York City.

I believe Reporter Zito is correct in her assessment.

What that means is that if President Joe Biden were to shoot Former President Trump dead, in "the middle of 5th Avenue," the coalition would still be out there, looking for the next person to represent them in our Nation's Capitol.

And, as the article says, these voters are unhappy with the Republican Establishment, passing over 16 other well known candidates to pick Mr Trump.

And think about how President Joe Biden had no coat tail in 2020.  I call it an Ike Jacket Election.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff