Anti-Trump Exhaustion: “Some folks are burned out on outrage”

In 2017, an overwhelming wave of opposition against Donald Trump swept across the nation. Hundreds of thousands donned pink hats, taking to the streets of Washington, signaling the beginning of widespread resistance.

Political Victories

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This energy translated into impressive political victories, including flipping the House, winning the presidency, and a strong performance in the 2022 midterms, driven by a unified aim to counter Trump’s influence.

People are Tired

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However, the once vibrant anti-Trump electorate now confronts a daunting adversary: weariness. Rebecca Lee Funk, founder of a progressive group, observes a noticeable decline in outrage, stating, “Some folks are burned out on outrage… People are tired.”

Renewed Challenges

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As the 2024 election looms, President Joe Biden seeks to reignite the expansive coalition that previously stood against Trump, framing the upcoming election as yet another pivotal moment for American democracy.

Voter Hesitations

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Despite Biden’s efforts, he faces skepticism from Democrats concerned about a repeat of the 2020 race, his age, and a diminished fervor towards Trump, a critical mobilizing force.

Political Exhaustion

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The sentiment of exhaustion isn’t exclusive to Democrats; a Pew Research Center survey indicates widespread political fatigue, affecting 65% of Americans across the political spectrum.

Americans Want Different Choice

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Whit Ayres, a Republican pollster, said, “Exhaustion is underlying the entire attitude toward our presidential election. When you’ve got two people that are opposed by 70% of Americans who want a different choice, it creates frustration, anxiety, and discouragement.”

Rallying Points

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Trump’s legal challenges and positions, such as a proposed national abortion ban, provide Democrats with rallying points.

Concerns Over Voter Enthusiasm

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Yet, there’s an underlying concern within the party regarding sustaining voter enthusiasm, particularly in light of a Yahoo News/YouGov poll indicating that 39% of Democratic voters reported feeling exhausted, compared to only 26% of Republicans who felt similarly.

Broader Agenda

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Biden’s team prioritizes a broader agenda in response to the increasing call for a campaign that motivates disillusioned voters.

Biden’s Achievements

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They hope to draw clear distinctions between Biden and Republican adversaries on key issues like abortion rights and gun safety while also highlighting Biden’s achievements in combating climate change and reducing child poverty.

Lose of Fundamental Freedoms

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Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for Biden, stressed, “This election determines whether we build on that progress or we lose so many of our fundamental freedoms.”

The Battle for Voter Motivation

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The challenge of engaging a politically weary populace has prompted Democrats to argue for a more compelling case for Biden’s reelection. The party faces the risk of voters opting for third-party candidates or abstaining altogether.

Positive Voting

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Leah D. Daughtry, a Democratic strategist, captures this sentiment, emphasizing the need to vote for something positive rather than solely against Trump.

Political Aggression

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The former president, linked to the Capitol assault by his backers to contest the 2020 election outcome, has been a figure encouraging acts of political aggression, propagating unfounded theories, and advocating for an exclusionary nationalist ideology.

Global Stability Risk

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His efforts have consistently targeted the erosion of trust in the pillars of American governance while posing risks to global stability, notably with recent remarks that lean towards supporting Russian hostility against allied nations.

Trump Become More Outrageous

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 North Carolina Democrat GovernorGov. Roy Cooper said, “People are going to be more alert because Trump has become even more outrageous in his post-presidency. It will be a challenge to make sure that people are aware of what he is doing because I think that sometimes he is so outrageous.” 

Potential Rematch

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on October 22, 2020 shows US President Donald Trump (L) and Democratic Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden during the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 22, 2020. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski and JIM WATSON / AFP)
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As the possibility of a Trump-Biden rematch solidifies, Democrats are beginning to recognize the critical nature of the upcoming election.

Abortion Rights at the Forefront

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The Biden campaign and various progressive groups are leveraging the issue of abortion rights as a central theme, aiming to mobilize support through the protection of personal freedoms.

A Renewed Call to Action

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In the face of widespread political exhaustion, the anti-Trump coalition is searching for ways to reignite the passion that once fueled its efforts, from focusing on positive messaging to emphasizing the critical stakes of the election.

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