What Happened: On the 2016 Election, Unanswered Questions, and Pennsylvania Politics
Warning: this post may contain spoilers.
It’s been over fourteen months since the 2016 presidential election, and I’ve heard many of my friends remark that it’s still too soon to read Hillary Rodham Clinton’s What Happened. With a heavy heart, I opened the first page at some point during the fall and slowly worked my way through it during my morning commute. Early in my reading, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew that the book would be about Hillary’s shocking loss, but I was curious about what she would write. After all, when it comes to 2016, where do you even begin?
The title captures a sentiment that has consumed the nation since the early hours of November 9th, 2016. Despite it being the question on everybody's mind, the book cover lacks a very critical punctuation mark. It turns out that What Happened isn’t a question, but an answer. The purpose of this book isn’t to ponder the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary American politics (although it does touch on many of these themes), but instead to research, develop, and present an explanation of the election’s unexpected results.
What Happened sets the sympathetic reader up for heartbreak, reflecting on the sense of hope and energy of the Clinton campaign before reviewing every excruciating soundbite -- from the Access Hollywood tapes to Russian interference and (of course) the infamous email scandal. Clinton is acutely aware of her unpopularity, often citing criticisms of her as she describes what she was up against:
“I’ve been dinged for being too interested in the details of policy (boring!), too practical (not inspiring!), too willing to compromise (sellout!), too focused on smaller, achievable steps rather than sweeping changes that have little to no chance of ever coming true (establishment candidate!)” (p. 135-136).
There are points in this book where I admired her, yet many others where I was unconvinced or even in disagreement. The midsection is policy-heavy and may be discouraging to those uninterested in the nitty-gritty of politics. As a lifetime Pennsylvanian, I was also disappointed in her (and other politicians’) continued misguided understanding of my state and the diverse voter populations that reside in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and everywhere in between. In 2016, only four states carried more electoral votes. Historically, Pennsylvania also is not as predictable as other populous states, such as Texas and California. As Hillary notes, we are capable of deciding an election.
In 2016, I attended three rallies spearheaded by top democrats campaigning on Hillary’s behalf. Speakers at each event discussed the need to create jobs, support the middle class, and reduce income equality. These critical economic platforms are undeniably important, but unfortunately were all discussed through the lens of Pennsylvania as the “rust belt.”
Even typing that term makes me cringe. Several generations ago, my Irish relatives worked in the Lackawanna coal mines. As a child, I recall riding past the abandoned Bethlehem Steel mill on my way to gymnastics practice. This same factory has since been converted to a concert venue, casino, and shopping center. To a millennial, the influence the steel industry once held across the Lehigh Valley is unimaginable. Its presence belongs to a former America, one that is completely unfamiliar to us.
The Steel City has similar remnants of a has-been industrial economy. Where many of the nation’s prominent steel mills once stood are now chain restaurants such as T.G.I Friday’s, a movie theater, and retail stores. The fact of the matter is that steel and coal jobs have been gone for over a generation, and they aren’t coming back. As a former resident of Pittsburgh, it broke my heart to see a city of the future, whose streets are occupied by self-driving ubers and home to the most environmentally-friendly office building in the world, be described as the “rust belt.” The sun has set on this era of Pennsylvania's evolving economy, which now boasts some of the nation’s best healthcare systems, universities, and tech companies. Hillary Clinton, and other prominent democrats, have an obligation to better understand Pennsylvania’s economic interests, especially if they want to connect with such a high-stakes voting base.
After reading What Happened, it’s hard not to look at the future of the democratic party with a curious eye. Though the platform has undeniably gotten more progressive, it is impossible to know what will happen in the 2018 midterm elections or who will enter the 2020 presidential race. When it comes to a recommendation of Secretary Clinton’s latest release, however, I would have to say that it depends on each reader’s interests and personal preferences. It is certainly not for those with strong allegiances to either Trump or Bernie Sanders. Even for Hillary supporters, her account of What Happened may be a bit too partisan and braggadocios at times. In the greater scheme of history, however, this book is important. Her understanding of the events that precipitated the elections results is clear and heavily reinforced by polling data and qualitative media observations. Keeping with the title, What Happened perfectly encapsulates the disbelief and horror of more than 65 million Americans, and presents a through explanation for perhaps the most shocking election in our country’s history.
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