“It’s the Economy, Stupid”

Midwesterners didn’t just vote against Democrats (many did so by not voting at all), they also voted for Trump. Evangelicals, of which the Midwest is chock full, were turned on by the Republican social platform, while the white middle class, found in Midwestern suburbs, found Trump’s economic promises agreeable. Most notably, however, was the white working class. Since FDR, the group has traditionally voted Democrat, but in 2016 they turned to Trump in wide margins.

Trump is an economic populist, and people voted for his economic promises. Working class manufacturers, specifically in the coal, auto, and steel industries, have seen their jobs dry up throughout the rust belt. A bang-bang punch of automation and outsourcing increasingly drives the demographic into dire economic straits. It’s unlikely he’ll solve their problems (automation isn’t going away), but the group continues to see Trump as their savior. Promises to “bring back jobs” paid off on election day and contributed to Trump’s success in the Midwest.

It’s been said that Hillary Clinton has the women card, that Barack Obama has the African-American card, and that American manufacturers have the Trump card. More reasonably, it should be said that American manufacturers have the perception of the Trump card. He might not end up saving them, but that’s where they put their votes.