Commonwealth Policy Center

Post-election analysis continues after Donald Trump won a resounding victory on November 5. Typically, the candidates that raise the most money and garner the most endorsements win. Kamala Harris out raised Trump by a three to one margin. She also had big endorsements and donations from scores of celebrities like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Oprah Winfrey. But the endorsements fell flat. Voters who struggled to pay for groceries and gas in this inflationary period couldn’t identify with the famous and wealth. According to one report, Harris paid Oprah $1 million to host an event. But money and endorsements only go so far. When candidates like Harris can’t articulate a positive vision, they usually lose.