debut: 6/22/08
14,012 runs
In reply to VIX
It played a minor role. His ability to relate to working-class voters and speak to their frustrations played a big part in the win. But his focus on immigration and social identity played the major role, methinks.
I am willing to wager that every Presidential election during my lifetime has been decided primarily based on the "state" (real or perceived) of the economy. In the immortal words of Bill Clinton, "It's the economy stupid."
Regarding working class voters and their frustrations, inflation and the high costs of groceries were major contributors to those frustrations, no? And if by social identity you are referring to the anti-LGBTQ Republican ad campaign, I think that played a small but not insignificant role because of the closeness of the election and the Harris campaign's failure to respond to those ads. I swear I saw those ads at least 3 times per day leading up to the last election.
In addition to those factors, I think racism, sexism and xenophobia also played significant roles in the outcome of the last election.