On the Path to Trump's Win: Observations of Fear
Politics Editor David Siders has been on a national journey to document the evolving landscape of American politics from a grassroots perspective. Here’s what various individuals he encountered are considering as they look toward 2025.
TroibNews 
Over the past two years, during my reporting for the series titled “Road Trip,” I encountered a pervasive sense of gloom among the individuals I met along the way, including local party leaders, elected officials, and voters across the political spectrum. As the election approached, their outlook became even more bleak, fueled by fears surrounding a 50-50 election and the consequences of a potential loss for their side.
Now that the election results are in, I decided to reconnect with some of those individuals to gauge their feelings as we enter a new year. The public sentiment has noticeably shifted since Donald Trump’s victory, with Republicans displaying newfound optimism regarding the economy and upcoming elections. Conversely, Democrats, as expected, find themselves in a slump.
Yet, apprehension remains prevalent on both sides as they contemplate the future. Republicans harbor concerns that Democrats or "RINOs" might undermine Trump’s agenda or that their party could face backlash in the midterms in 2026. On the other hand, Democrats worry about the possibility of Trump enacting even a portion of his ambitious plans.
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” said Dave Nagle, a former representative from Iowa, when I reached out to him recently at his law office in Waterloo.
He went on to express that “the positive is [that] in a democracy, you have the right to challenge conventional wisdom.” With Trump in command and MAGA on the rise, he believes the conventional understanding of governance is about to undergo radical changes. As he put it, “now, we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not.”
Republicans are keen on effecting major changes. They view their president-elect as someone with a popular vote mandate and a more nuanced approach to navigating Washington's intricacies after one term in office.
“The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020,” said Bill Bailey, who markets Trump merchandise at rallies nationwide. “I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
The “Road Trip” initiative has always aimed to examine American politics from a grassroots perspective, focusing on the sentiments and actions of parties and voters at the local level, far removed from the Washington bubble. It was in seven key swing states that Trump re-established his base, making it clear that the future direction of American politics will be determined there. As Nagle wisely noted before we concluded our conversation, “Let’s find out.”
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**Albert Lea, Minnesota**
Bill Salier, a conservative from Albert Lea, Minnesota, expressed skepticism about the state’s governor, Tim Walz, labeling him as a “phony”:
“I’m optimistic that there’s been kind of an awakening since Covid. It might have been slow, but I think people are becoming more aware that government is not the solution, but is the cause of many of our problems.”
**Tempe, Arizona**
In Arizona, Bill Bailey shared his concerns about the potential fragmentation of the MAGA movement after Trump:
“The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020 … He had a lot of RINOs he was dealing with after the midterms in ‘18, had a lot of RINOs after he had lost the election in 2020 … I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
**El Paso, Texas**
Judy Gutierrez, an independent who ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat in El Paso, voiced her frustrations with the Democratic Party:
“My people put Trump in office, man. The Latinos came out strong for him … Because people are frustrated, people are tired. The Democratic Party failed us.”
In contrast, Steve Ortega, a former Democratic city council member, highlighted the challenges facing the party:
“The Democratic Party in particular has a long look in the mirror that’s forthcoming when it relates to how Hispanics are treated … They are losing voters at a record pace.”
**Colorado Springs, Colorado**
In Colorado, Dick Wadhams, former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, assessed the impact of increasing unaffiliated voters on party dynamics:
“When he won, I think it kind of set the stage for what’s going to be another bad midterm for Republicans. I hate to say it, but I think that’s the case.”
**Omaha, Nebraska**
Crystal Rhoades, former chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party and now its elected clerk, described her proactive response to the political climate in Omaha:
“My reaction to trauma is just to dig in and control the things I can control. So Omaha worked really hard on turnout, we actually did deliver the blue dot for Kamala. What I’ve been telling everyone that has asked is, ‘OK, we’re going to put a little blue dome over our blue dot, and we’re going to wait for the storm to pass.’”
**Waterloo, Iowa**
Dave Nagle reiterated his bleak outlook for the road ahead:
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it … Conventional wisdom, the way we think government should be conducted, is going to be radically changed.”
**Las Vegas, Nevada**
Expressing a view on engaging voters, Republican state assembly member Danielle Gallant stated:
“The left was very successful the last four years in bringing a negative connotation to MAGA … now all of a sudden it just became punk rock to be Republican.”
**Columbia, South Carolina**
Democratic strategist Marcurius Byrd criticized his party’s tendency to alienate potential supporters:
“Democrats have found more ways to ostracize people out of being Democrats than welcoming people in … That’s something we’ve got to adjust strategies for, especially in some of our redder states.”
**San Francisco, California**
Progressive activist Mary Carter expressed her desire to bridge divides:
“I want to be able to listen to people that voted another way, even though I find this very difficult.”
**Ripon, Wisconsin**
Timothy Bachleitner, a Republican leader from Ripon, voiced concerns over the direction of the party:
“The overarching picture of right versus left and liberal versus conservative, super excited about that … But he’s gained so much support from different groups of people he no longer needs the conservative Christians …”
**Phoenix, Arizona**
At a Republican Party convention in Phoenix, retired sheriff’s detective Mac Rojo emphasized maintaining political stances:
“[Trump’s] will be a good start. But you’ve got the RINOs that are trying to subvert him and go against him.”
Sally Kizer, co-founder of a tea party group in Arizona, echoed ongoing worries regarding opposition from Democrats:
“I just don’t think the Democrats are through giving him a hard time … it’s scary. We pray for him all the time that he is safe.”
**Concord, New Hampshire**
Arnie Arnesen, a liberal radio host, criticized the current state of political engagement in New Hampshire:
“Nobody has courage anymore ... I feel like people have been broken by Donald Trump, and I’m angry.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Now that the election results are in, I decided to reconnect with some of those individuals to gauge their feelings as we enter a new year. The public sentiment has noticeably shifted since Donald Trump’s victory, with Republicans displaying newfound optimism regarding the economy and upcoming elections. Conversely, Democrats, as expected, find themselves in a slump.
Yet, apprehension remains prevalent on both sides as they contemplate the future. Republicans harbor concerns that Democrats or "RINOs" might undermine Trump’s agenda or that their party could face backlash in the midterms in 2026. On the other hand, Democrats worry about the possibility of Trump enacting even a portion of his ambitious plans.
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it,” said Dave Nagle, a former representative from Iowa, when I reached out to him recently at his law office in Waterloo.
He went on to express that “the positive is [that] in a democracy, you have the right to challenge conventional wisdom.” With Trump in command and MAGA on the rise, he believes the conventional understanding of governance is about to undergo radical changes. As he put it, “now, we’re going to find out whether they’re right or not.”
Republicans are keen on effecting major changes. They view their president-elect as someone with a popular vote mandate and a more nuanced approach to navigating Washington's intricacies after one term in office.
“The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020,” said Bill Bailey, who markets Trump merchandise at rallies nationwide. “I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
The “Road Trip” initiative has always aimed to examine American politics from a grassroots perspective, focusing on the sentiments and actions of parties and voters at the local level, far removed from the Washington bubble. It was in seven key swing states that Trump re-established his base, making it clear that the future direction of American politics will be determined there. As Nagle wisely noted before we concluded our conversation, “Let’s find out.”
---
**Albert Lea, Minnesota**
Bill Salier, a conservative from Albert Lea, Minnesota, expressed skepticism about the state’s governor, Tim Walz, labeling him as a “phony”:
“I’m optimistic that there’s been kind of an awakening since Covid. It might have been slow, but I think people are becoming more aware that government is not the solution, but is the cause of many of our problems.”
**Tempe, Arizona**
In Arizona, Bill Bailey shared his concerns about the potential fragmentation of the MAGA movement after Trump:
“The MAGA movement, Trump and the conservatives are so much better off today, now, than had he actually won in 2020 … He had a lot of RINOs he was dealing with after the midterms in ‘18, had a lot of RINOs after he had lost the election in 2020 … I think he’s better poised now to accomplish some very good things.”
**El Paso, Texas**
Judy Gutierrez, an independent who ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat in El Paso, voiced her frustrations with the Democratic Party:
“My people put Trump in office, man. The Latinos came out strong for him … Because people are frustrated, people are tired. The Democratic Party failed us.”
In contrast, Steve Ortega, a former Democratic city council member, highlighted the challenges facing the party:
“The Democratic Party in particular has a long look in the mirror that’s forthcoming when it relates to how Hispanics are treated … They are losing voters at a record pace.”
**Colorado Springs, Colorado**
In Colorado, Dick Wadhams, former chair of the Colorado Republican Party, assessed the impact of increasing unaffiliated voters on party dynamics:
“When he won, I think it kind of set the stage for what’s going to be another bad midterm for Republicans. I hate to say it, but I think that’s the case.”
**Omaha, Nebraska**
Crystal Rhoades, former chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party and now its elected clerk, described her proactive response to the political climate in Omaha:
“My reaction to trauma is just to dig in and control the things I can control. So Omaha worked really hard on turnout, we actually did deliver the blue dot for Kamala. What I’ve been telling everyone that has asked is, ‘OK, we’re going to put a little blue dome over our blue dot, and we’re going to wait for the storm to pass.’”
**Waterloo, Iowa**
Dave Nagle reiterated his bleak outlook for the road ahead:
“Nothing coming down the pike is going to be good, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it … Conventional wisdom, the way we think government should be conducted, is going to be radically changed.”
**Las Vegas, Nevada**
Expressing a view on engaging voters, Republican state assembly member Danielle Gallant stated:
“The left was very successful the last four years in bringing a negative connotation to MAGA … now all of a sudden it just became punk rock to be Republican.”
**Columbia, South Carolina**
Democratic strategist Marcurius Byrd criticized his party’s tendency to alienate potential supporters:
“Democrats have found more ways to ostracize people out of being Democrats than welcoming people in … That’s something we’ve got to adjust strategies for, especially in some of our redder states.”
**San Francisco, California**
Progressive activist Mary Carter expressed her desire to bridge divides:
“I want to be able to listen to people that voted another way, even though I find this very difficult.”
**Ripon, Wisconsin**
Timothy Bachleitner, a Republican leader from Ripon, voiced concerns over the direction of the party:
“The overarching picture of right versus left and liberal versus conservative, super excited about that … But he’s gained so much support from different groups of people he no longer needs the conservative Christians …”
**Phoenix, Arizona**
At a Republican Party convention in Phoenix, retired sheriff’s detective Mac Rojo emphasized maintaining political stances:
“[Trump’s] will be a good start. But you’ve got the RINOs that are trying to subvert him and go against him.”
Sally Kizer, co-founder of a tea party group in Arizona, echoed ongoing worries regarding opposition from Democrats:
“I just don’t think the Democrats are through giving him a hard time … it’s scary. We pray for him all the time that he is safe.”
**Concord, New Hampshire**
Arnie Arnesen, a liberal radio host, criticized the current state of political engagement in New Hampshire:
“Nobody has courage anymore ... I feel like people have been broken by Donald Trump, and I’m angry.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
