538: Why The Suburbs Have Shifted Blue

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Trump spent the last few months of the presidential campaign appealing to — and sometimes even pleading with — suburban voters. At a rally in Pennsylvania in October, Trump called out suburban women specifically, saying that “they should like me more than anybody here tonight because I ended the regulation that destroyed your neighborhood,” referring to his administration’s move to end a government program aimed at reducing segregation in suburban areas. “I ended the regulation that brought crime to the suburbs,” said Trump. “[A]nd you’re going to live the American dream.”

It was plain to see that Trump wasn’t talking to all suburbanites, though. He appeared to have a specific vision of the suburbs in mind: Something like the modern day equivalent of the white, well-to-do characters from 1950s sitcoms who had big, well-manicured lawns and white picket fences, agreed with their neighbors about most things — from which presidential candidate to support to what makes a good tuna casserole — and were, in the past, the targets of racial dog-whistles like Trump’s.

Only this strategy didn’t work. Because this version of suburbia is increasingly hard to find.

Suburban and exurban counties turned away from Trump and toward Democrat Joe Biden in states across the country, including in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia. In part, this may be because the suburbs are simply far more diverse than they used to be. But suburbs have also become increasingly well-educated — and that may actually better explain why so many suburbs and exurbs are turning blue than just increased diversity on its own.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-the-suburbs-have-shifted-blue/

Meaning those that vote blue are smarter.

[modrepub]

1. And That's Why

Republicans don't want to fund college or cancel college debt (and Democrats do). If college remains expensive, fewer will go (or only certain rich demographic groups will be able to afford to go). Democrats encourage college attendance because people who attend college are more likely to vote Democratic.

Kind of misses the point that a better educated society has a lot of side benefits. If you went to college, you'll probably earn more (and pay more taxes), get and stay married and generally live longer and be more happy. Those traits probably also explain why a lot of Republicans appear to be more dour than Democrats.

[idziak4ever1234]

3. I have long thought the exact same thing.

[The Genealogist]

4. The anti-intellectual crowd is far too loud in this country

Education has so many benefits. However, the wealthy folk and the christo-fascists see the benefits as liabilities. Becoming educated introduces the student to new ideas. New ideas are often threatening to those who want to tightly control the people who make up a society. So, so those whose power is threatened by an educated populace do all they can to other education and the educated.

[iemitsu]

2. The suburbs are the city.

Or at least part of cities.

[Skittles]

5. Trump's racist message about the suburbs is very offensive

he lives in a bubble.....the suburbs are way more diverse than people like him can imagine.....I actually know a fairly conservative woman who voted against him last month; she told me, he's warning me about the kind of people who are already my neighbors and are great people

[Drunken Irishman]

6. The suburbs are key to the Democrats winning again in PA, MI and WI in 2024.

Biden cleaned up in the suburbs, which offset a slight dip in support in the cities and the surge of support Trump received in the rural areas.

If the Democrats can sustain that level of success, winning back the WH will be difficult for the GOP without real moderation.

[LittleGirl]

7. All they had to do was listen to the news

Of 45’s latest tweet where he criticized women, minorities, working class folks and they were appalled, frankly. I mean, it was a constant barrage of “you aren’t good enough “ and that was it! F* trump. F* him sideways. The biggest victim, the sorest loser of everything that makes our country tick. And when he went after the suckers and losers of the military, well, that was the last straw! Just go back to Cindy McCain’s appearances and see for yourself. He blew it. Nobody is to be blamed but Trump himself. The biggest and sorest loser Eveh!

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. Hehe

**Only this strategy didn’t work. Because this version of suburbia is increasingly hard to find.**

Come to Minneapolis. You can find them all over here. (Except the 'agreeing with the neighbors' part... people usually don't talk to each other around here). Trust me, as much as you may want that old, stale version of the suburbs to be a former fantasy, they still exist all over this country. Remember that it does not take education to make money. Seen too many people who are dumb as a rotten fence post yet they are doing very, very well. And, they live in the suburbs...