The surprise strong result for President Trump was due to his feel-good factor

This year’s nail-biting US presidential election demonstrates yet again why polls cannot be solely relied on.
By Alex Kane
Published 5th Nov 2020, 08:30 BST
There is clearly a 'shy vote' factor in support for Donald Trump, seen here speaking in the East Room of the White House early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, with first lady Melania Trump listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)There is clearly a 'shy vote' factor in support for Donald Trump, seen here speaking in the East Room of the White House early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, with first lady Melania Trump listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
There is clearly a 'shy vote' factor in support for Donald Trump, seen here speaking in the East Room of the White House early Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, with first lady Melania Trump listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

This year’s nail-biting US presidential election demonstrates yet again why polls cannot be solely relied on.

For months, in the US election coverage I had watched, we were told to expect a Joe Biden landslide due to Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. However, this did not happen. Instead, Trump over-performed and Biden under-performed.

There is clearly a ‘shy vote’ factor in Trump’s support.

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Letter to the editorLetter to the editor
Letter to the editor

Trump voters are reluctant to admit that they support Trump, probably out of fear that others would think negatively of them. I would go as far to suggest that some Trump voters are not necessarily voting for Trump — rather they are voting against Biden and what he represents — be it what they see as ‘the establishment’ or out of fear of others around Biden — that in some way, their liberty or way of life would be diminished if he were elected.

Trump’s entertaining selection of hopeful, optimistic music at his rallies — including even songs associated with the LGBT community — possibly evoke golden-era nostalgia amongst his voters. They like to feel good — so they vote for the guy who makes them feel good – whether that nostalgia of a time past ever actually existed.

Michael Palmer,

Newtownards

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Related topics:Donald TrumpJoe BidenNorthern Ireland