we’ve been weakening in that regard over the last decade
That’s the thing, we really haven’t. 2016 got a lot of press because Trump lost by the narrowest margin since Bush vs Gore, but if you look at the actual vote totals, Trump didn’t do any better than the last 4 Republicans, slightly worse than Romney and Bush in 2004, in fact. The only reason it was as close as it was was due to the terrible turnout by Dems for Hillary in 2016. 2020 results were back in line with the norm, with Biden winning by 7+ points. So don’t believe the media’s click bait hype, Minnesota is not and never was in play. (Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t need to vote, and don’t forget the down ballot races, which are arguably more important. And have you all voted in your primary yet? Early voting is open, election day is August 13th)
That’s the thing, we really haven’t. 2016 got a lot of press because Trump lost by the narrowest margin since Bush vs Gore, but if you look at the actual vote totals, Trump didn’t do any better than the last 4 Republicans, slightly worse than Romney and Bush in 2004, in fact. The only reason it was as close as it was was due to the terrible turnout by Dems for Hillary in 2016. 2020 results were back in line with the norm, with Biden winning by 7+ points. So don’t believe the media’s click bait hype, Minnesota is not and never was in play. (Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t need to vote, and don’t forget the down ballot races, which are arguably more important. And have you all voted in your primary yet? Early voting is open, election day is August 13th)