Lynne Thoman

Donald Trump is certainly unique, and everyone expected the election to be unusual. But what stands out about the 2024 election is the fact that by the data, it was not an unusual election at all. Donald Trump won 49.8% of the popular vote, so nearly 50% of the popular vote. That was comparable within a few percentage points to other Republican presidential candidates over the last 20 years.

Donald Trump is certainly unique, and everyone expected the election to be unusual. But what stands out about the 2024 election is the fact that by the data, it was not an unusual election at all. Donald Trump won 49.8% of the popular vote, so nearly 50% of the popular vote. That was comparable within a few percentage points to other Republican presidential candidates over the last 20 years.

Trump's nearly 50% of the popular vote compares to George W. Bush's 48% and nearly 51% of the popular vote in 2000 and 2004. And it was higher than John McCain's 46% of the popular vote and Mitt Romney's 47%. So despite Donald Trump's unusual and unique character, his results were not much different from other Republican candidates. How could that be? Why wasn't the election more unusual?

Trump's nearly 50% of the popular vote compares to George W. Bush's 48% and nearly 51% of the popular vote in 2000 and 2004. And it was higher than John McCain's 46% of the popular vote and Mitt Romney's 47%. So despite Donald Trump's unusual and unique character, his results were not much different from other Republican candidates. How could that be? Why wasn't the election more unusual?

Hi, everyone. I'm Lynn Thoman, and this is Three Takeaways. On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists. Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better. Today, I'm excited to be with Larry Bartels.

Hi, everyone. I'm Lynn Thoman, and this is Three Takeaways. On Three Takeaways, I talk with some of the world's best thinkers, business leaders, writers, politicians, newsmakers, and scientists. Each episode ends with three key takeaways to help us understand the world and maybe even ourselves a little better. Today, I'm excited to be with Larry Bartels.

He is chair of public policy and social science at Vanderbilt University and co-director of Vanderbilt University's Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Prior to Vanderbilt, he was a professor at Princeton and founding director of Princeton Center for the Study of Democratic Politics. He has received the United States National Medal of Science.

He is chair of public policy and social science at Vanderbilt University and co-director of Vanderbilt University's Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions. Prior to Vanderbilt, he was a professor at Princeton and founding director of Princeton Center for the Study of Democratic Politics. He has received the United States National Medal of Science.

His most recent book is Democracy Erodes from the Top. I'm excited to find out why the election of Donald Trump was not unusual and how important a role character plays in elections. Welcome, Larry, and thanks so much for joining Three Takeaways today.

His most recent book is Democracy Erodes from the Top. I'm excited to find out why the election of Donald Trump was not unusual and how important a role character plays in elections. Welcome, Larry, and thanks so much for joining Three Takeaways today.

It is my pleasure. So Donald Trump is certainly unique and he's very different from previous U.S. presidents. Was his election an aberration?

It is my pleasure. So Donald Trump is certainly unique and he's very different from previous U.S. presidents. Was his election an aberration?

How do you see the 2024 election compared to previous elections?

How do you see the 2024 election compared to previous elections?

Can you give some examples of some of the numbers on how the Trump elections compared to other comparable Republican Democratic elections?

Can you give some examples of some of the numbers on how the Trump elections compared to other comparable Republican Democratic elections?

And how did the votes by men for Trump compare to votes by men for previous Republican candidates? Was it very consistent and similar?

And how did the votes by men for Trump compare to votes by men for previous Republican candidates? Was it very consistent and similar?

Does party matter more than the individual?

Does party matter more than the individual?