After a delay in counting absentee and provisional ballots, Democrat Allison Riggs has edged out Republican Jefferson Griffin by a mere 24 votes in the North Carolina Supreme Court race. This extremely narrow margin emerged following the processing of late-arriving ballots by county election boards. While county certifications are complete, several counties require additional time to finalize their counts, leaving the outcome uncertain pending further review and potential recounts. The final result will significantly impact the court’s partisan balance, currently 5-2 Republican.
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On November 6th, a diverse coalition of North Texas community groups staged a protest outside Dallas City Hall to denounce the U.S. electoral system and both major political parties. The demonstration, part of a nationwide series of post-election rallies, drew approximately 40 participants who voiced opposition to President-elect Trump’s platform and policies, particularly those targeting immigrants. Speakers representing various social justice causes emphasized the need for community organizing and collective action to combat anticipated oppression. The event highlighted the shared concerns of a broad spectrum of marginalized communities across the country.
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Elon Musk’s America PAC has invested heavily in the 2022 midterms, contributing nearly $119 million to support Republican candidates in various races across the country. While the PAC’s spending, exceeding $19 million in some key House races, yielded mixed results, a significant $152 million was allocated towards supporting Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Musk’s actions demonstrate a considerable and highly publicized foray into US politics.
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Trump’s 2024 victory, while decisive in the Electoral College, stemmed more from Democratic underperformance than a massive surge in Trump support. His vote total only slightly exceeded his 2020 numbers, while Kamala Harris received nearly 10 million fewer votes than Joe Biden in 2020, largely due to the Biden administration’s unpopularity and Harris’s flawed, centrist campaign strategy. This strategic misstep, driven by party consultants and donors, alienated the Democratic base and failed to secure sufficient swing votes. Despite this loss, Democrats performed better in down-ballot races, suggesting that a broader shift away from the party did not occur.
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Muslims who voted for Trump are expressing significant disappointment with his pro-Israel cabinet appointments. This reaction underscores a complex situation where certain policy preferences seemingly outweighed other critical concerns during the election. The surprise and subsequent frustration highlight a disconnect between some voters’ expectations and the reality of Trump’s consistent pro-Israel stance.
The consistent pro-Israel policies of the Trump administration shouldn’t have been a surprise. His previous term was marked by strong support for Israel, including actions that may have directly contradicted the interests of many Muslim voters. This suggests a possible gap between campaign rhetoric and actual governing priorities, leading to a sense of betrayal amongst some who supported him.… Continue reading
Donald Trump’s success stemmed from his promise to dismantle a system that most Americans view as broken, ineffective, and corrupt, a perception Democrats failed to address. Our focus on defending existing norms alienated voters, leading to both Trump’s appeal and widespread voter apathy. Simply put, voters felt the choice was between a flawed system and a potentially dangerous alternative, a dilemma that allowed Trump to gain traction. To regain trust, Democrats must acknowledge this pervasive distrust and champion bold, structural change—a message, as Senator Warren demonstrated, that resonates deeply with voters.
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Donald Trump’s victory in Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a large Arab American population, highlights a growing disconnect between Democratic leadership and communities that once formed its base. Despite Trump’s history of demonizing Muslims, he won 42.5% of the vote in Dearborn, while Vice President Kamala Harris received 36%. This shift, which some attribute to frustration with Democratic support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, has left many Arab American voters feeling disillusioned with the Democratic party. While some, like Abbas Alawieh, a lifelong Democrat, still voted for Harris out of opposition to Trump, many, like Layla Elabed, felt they could not support a party that ignored their pleas for a more nuanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This election has exposed a need for the Democratic party to re-engage with its grassroots, listen to the concerns of its base, and address the issues that matter most to its constituents, lest it risk losing them to the opposing party.
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Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election has raised significant concerns about the future of Western support for Ukraine. Following a conversation with Trump, Finnish President Alexander Stubb believes that Trump is serious about achieving a peace deal quickly, possibly through Ukraine ceding territory to Russia. Stubb outlined four prerequisites for peace, including territorial concessions, security guarantees, justice, and reconstruction. Trump’s potential appointment of Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State suggests a shift in foreign policy, with Rubio expressing support for ending the conflict and voting against previous aid packages for Ukraine.
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Following the 2024 presidential election, The New Abnormal co-hosts Danielle Moodie and Andy Levy analyze potential areas for improvement in Vice President Harris’ campaign. Levy argues that a stronger focus on messaging, particularly regarding the issue of corporate price-gouging, could have resonated more effectively with voters. He suggests highlighting the role of wealthy individuals and corporations in driving up prices, explicitly connecting the issue to the political and economic interests of those who support Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Dean Obeidallah discusses his article challenging the characterization of questioning Trump’s electoral integrity as “election denial,” and shares insights gleaned from his radio show audience.
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Republicans have secured a majority in the House, handing Donald Trump a trifecta of control over the federal government. With both the presidency, Senate, and House of Representatives under Republican control, Trump’s vision for the country is now poised to become reality.
The enthusiasm among Trump supporters is palpable, with promises of a booming economy, lower inflation, and a renewed sense of American strength echoing across the nation. However, the reality on the ground is far more nuanced. While Trump’s previous term saw a period of economic growth, the current economic climate is marred by high inflation and rising interest rates.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood