In a discussion on CBC Metro Morning, Democratic strategist Jack O’Donnell and Republican chairman Michael Kracker analyze the U.S. election results. Crocker attributes Trump’s victory to concerns about inflation, border security, and crime, and notes that Trump successfully appealed to non-traditional Republican voters, including Hispanics and black men. O’Donnell highlights Trump’s broad support across demographics and regions, including a significant win in New York City. Both strategists discuss the potential impact of U.S. tariffs on Canada, with Crocker emphasizing the strong relationship between the two countries and O’Donnell acknowledging potential changes in U.S. foreign policy.
Summary of this Episode
Guests
- David Common: Host of Metro Morning & Senior Correspondent
- Jack O’Donnell: Managing Partner at O’Donnell and Associates
- Michael Kracker: Republican chairman in Erie County, Buffalo
Major Topics Covered
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- Impact of U.S. Presidential Election on Canada: Jack examines how the election results might influence Canada’s political and economic landscape.
- Trade Relations Under President-elect Trump: He delves into potential changes in trade dynamics between the U.S. and Canada with the incoming administration.
- Canadian Perspective on U.S. Politics: Jack discusses how Canadians perceive the U.S. presidential campaigns and their outcomes.
- Future of NAFTA: He speculates on the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement under the new U.S. leadership.
- Economic Implications for Canadian Industries: Jack analyzes which Canadian sectors might be most affected by policy shifts from the U.S. administration.
Full Transcript of the Episode
Note: This is a generated transcript. Please excuse any typos.
David Common 00:00 Going to turn now to two strategists in the United States, Jack O’Donnell, who’s a Democratic strategist and managing partner at O’Donnell and Associates, and Michael Kracker, who is a Republican chairman in Erie County. Buffalo. Gentlemen, good morning.
Jack O’Donnell 00:14
Good morning.
Michael Kracker 00:17
Good morning.
David Common 00:17
I’m glad to have you, Michael, let me ask you, you’re the Republican chairman, what do you think made the difference who turned out for Donald Trump?
Michael Kracker 00:28
I think the American people who are concerned about rising inflation, American people who are concerned about a wide open southern border, and American people who are concerned about crime. And ultimately, I think Kamala Harris failed to deliver a message that resonated with voters on those topics. They tried to make this campaign a referendum on Donald Trump. They tried to make this campaign a referendum on things like abortion. But ultimately, I think the American people felt confident fairly overwhelmingly, that Donald Trump was going to tackle the issues they cared about, which are securing the border, getting our inflation in the United States under control, and making sure that working-class Americans have opportunities to do better, like they did for four years under Donald Trump.
David Common 01:13
It’s not as close an outcome as some had predicted, but it is still quite close. It does still speak to the polarization we’ve heard a lot about, and I talked to you about who came through for Donald Trump. Let me ask you about the demographics, because there is some indication that Hispanics who had more supported Democrats in the past, broke for Donald Trump, that men broke overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, including in some cases black men who might have otherwise supported the Democrats or not supported a candidate at all. Why do you think that is that he was tapping into new demographics than the Republicans traditionally have, or that he did last time around?
Michael Kracker 01:53
Well, I think what’s important to remember is that Donald Trump has consistently said he wants to make America great again for all Americans. I think he succeeded in this election in telling voters, including non traditional Republican voters, that he is committed to that cause. And I believe, unfortunately, that the Democratic campaign, or whatever it may be, they took those voters for granted. They thought that they could bank those demographics, and Donald Trump worked effectively to go into new communities and expand the Republican tent in a way that allowed him to secure what seems like a historic victory, including a Republican win on the popular vote. We’ve got a lot yet counted, but it looks optimistic for him to actually secure a popular vote win, first time in a long time for a Republican candidate. He did that by taking his message to new Americans that haven’t traditionally voted Republican in the past.
David Common 02:45
Jack O’Donnell, let me turn to you. Is Michael, right?
Jack O’Donnell 02:52
He is, I mean, you, you know, yes, in some ways, this, this, this race is, is closed, but, but it’s, to me, the surprise is not so much that Trump won, it’s how broadly he’s won. He didn’t just win in a couple of southern states. He didn’t just win in the Rust Belt. He didn’t win in the Sun Belt. You know, he’s won in all of these places, and even in New York City. Kamala Harris won, but it was the worst showing by a Democrat in 30 years. So you know, Trump really made inroads, especially with working-class voters, whether they were white, whether they were black, whether they were Hispanic, kind of across the board.
David Common 03:36
I talked to you a bit about foreign affairs, because we are Canada, we are a foreign country to them, to the United States, but we’re the largest trading partner, the largest bilateral trading relationship in the entire world. Billions of dollars every single week go in between our two countries. The talk about a 10% tariff, would Canada be impacted by that? And Michael, let me ask you first.
Speaker 1 04:02
Well, first, I think we here in Western New York, and I believe Donald Trump recognize the important relationship we have with our Canadian friends. I can tell you, I spent a lot of time at Buffalo Bills games, supporting Donald Trump and sharing them on with Canadian Bills fans, but I’m hopeful that our local officials will be able to work with the Trump administration to emphasize the important relationship that we have with Canada. When Donald Trump talks about securing American jobs and putting tariffs on our goods, I think he’s really talking about foreign competitors who don’t play on a level playing field. I don’t think that reflects our great relationship with our friends up in Canada, and I’m confident we can find a working relationship on an international trade level that will be beneficial to both of our countries. Certainly here in Buffalo, we know how important that relationship is. And as a good friend to Western New York, I believe Donald Trump will understand that as well.
David Common 04:58
Jack your thoughts.
Jack O’Donnell 04:59
Yeah, well, I certainly agree with Michael being here in Western New York. We understand and appreciate the importance of that relationship, but I think we’re going to see a change in relations. I mean, we’ve heard from Donald Trump both about the tariff, about countries paying their NATO dues, and you know, it’s going to change the relationship. It’s, it’s, hopefully he’s right, and we can find ways to work together and and and establish that. But I think they’re going to be some hiccups for all of our partners here.
David Common 05:38
Jack Michael, thank you very much for your time on what I’m sure is a very busy morning.
Michael Kracker 05:44
Thanks for having us.
Jack O’Donnell 05:45
Thank you.
David Common 05:46
Jack O’Donnell is a Democratic strategist and the managing partner at O’Donnell and Associates, and Michael Kracker a Republican chairman in Erie County, Buffalo.
