(Nettavisen) Norwegian Per Lykke has closely followed the Harris/Walz camp in the final stretch of the election campaign in the Midwest, including Wisconsin. At around 12 noon Norwegian time on Wednesday, Wisconsin became the state that pushed Donald Trump past the magic number of 270 electoral votes.
It didn’t help that the Norwegian was out knocking on doors in Madison. The state capital was one of the areas that retained its blue color, but Wisconsin tipped over to red and the Republicans. Thus, Trump secured 277 electoral votes.
Norwegian Per Lykke is a hunting buddy of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and has been closely following the election campaign in the “Norwegian” states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota in recent weeks. On Wednesday morning Norwegian time, he too had to realize that the battle is lost for the Democrats in the fight for the White House.
– I have talked to many Norwegian-Americans here. Many are not particularly enthusiastic about either candidate but believe that Trump is the best of the two. For many, it seems to be as much anti-Harris as pro-Trump that has influenced their decision, says Per Lykke to Nettavisen.
Together with campaign staff from the Democrats, he knocked on doors and spoke with voters in the important battleground of Wisconsin. He also visited Walz’s home state of Minnesota and North Dakota. In these areas, there are a number of Norwegian-descended Americans.
The lawyer himself thinks that Kamala Harris performed well in the campaign, but he believes the Trump camp resonated better with voters’ concerns about their own wallets.
– People were focused on the economy, and Harris was perceived as the vice president and in a position, he says.
– Trump as God’s messenger
Lykke recounts that he met some truly loyal Trump supporters, one of whom firmly believed that the Republican presidential candidate is God’s messenger.
Others who ended up voting for Trump said they agreed with the Democrats on many issues.
One of those Lykke met completely agreed that climate change was an important topic, that women should have control over their own bodies, and that she supported aid to Ukraine. Yet, she wanted to vote for Trump, he recounts.
– Perhaps voters here are still not ready for a female president, even though we have reached 2024, he says. He emphasizes that this was not something that was directly stated by the voters he spoke with.
– What do you think a Trump victory means for Norway and defense and security policy in Europe?
– I believe that defense and security cooperation in Europe will be strengthened and that the EU will play a more important role alongside NATO. In NATO, Europe must prepare to take greater responsibility, and Norway should give more money to Ukraine, for our own sake and for Europe. We have indirectly been war profiteers through gas and oil sales and should take the lead, Lykke says.
– Knew it could be close
As Trump defeated Harris in Wisconsin, it marked yet another hard blow for the Democrats in this election. They lost Wisconsin to the Republicans in 2016, but won it back in 2020, by a margin of just 20,000 votes.
Trump now carries 10 electoral votes from this state.
– I knew it could be very close in Wisconsin and had a bit of a bad gut feeling, Lykke writes in an update to Nettavisen on Wednesday afternoon.
– There were many Trump signs to see in areas where Biden received 75 percent of the votes. But I had thought the election was going to be closer. There was a lot of political advertising on TV and radio that must have cost a fortune. I’m glad we don’t have it like that in Norway.
Trump triumphs and thus becomes the 47th president of the United States, a totally unconventional comeback for a former president, who refused to accept defeat four years ago, incited a violent uprising against Congress, was found guilty in a criminal case, and survived two assassination attempts, summarizes the American news agency Associated Press.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Per Lykke, Norwegian Political Consultant
Editor: Welcome, Per. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. You’ve been closely monitoring the election campaigns in the Midwest. Can you start by telling us about your experience on the ground, especially in Wisconsin, as it turned out to be a decisive state for President Trump?
Per Lykke: Thank you for having me! It’s been quite a whirlwind experience. While I was out door-knocking in Madison, I witnessed firsthand the strong sentiments among the voters. Wisconsin’s shift to red was surprising, especially since Madison retained its blue identity. Many voters I talked to seemed disillusioned with both candidates, which made the dynamics intriguing.
Editor: That’s fascinating. You mentioned that many Norwegian-Americans you interacted with were more anti-Harris than pro-Trump. Can you elaborate on that sentiment?
Per Lykke: Certainly. Many Norwegian-Americans express a sense of reluctance toward Kamala Harris. Their view isn’t just about Trump; it’s also about their discomfort with Harris as a candidate. For them, the decision came down to which candidate aligned better with their immediate economic concerns, and unfortunately for the Democrats, Harris didn’t resonate in the way they hoped.
Editor: Speaking of economic concerns, you observed that voters were particularly focused on their wallets. How did that play into the preferences you witnessed?
Per Lykke: The economy was front and center in every conversation. Voters voiced worries about inflation and job security, which were palpable in their concerns. Although Harris presented strong arguments, it seemed she couldn’t shift the narrative away from these bread-and-butter issues. They felt Trump had a clearer approach that aligned with their interests, despite possible agreements on social issues like women’s rights or climate change.
Editor: That’s very insightful. You also noted some extreme devotion among Trump supporters—one even called him God’s messenger. How do you think such beliefs impact the broader political landscape?
Per Lykke: Absolutely. This level of devotion shapes their worldviews and how they engage with politics. Some supporters reconcile their agreement on certain issues with a loyalty rooted in identity politics or faith. It’s complex; even if they align on some Democratic policies, they cling to Trump because of the community and identity he represents to them. This could be a reflection of broader cultural reluctance towards female leadership, as you’ll find reluctant acceptance of a woman in that role, even in 2024.
Editor: That’s quite an observation. Speaking of the future, what implications do you see if Trump were to win this election, particularly in terms of Norway and European defense policies?
Per Lykke: If Trump wins, I believe that defense and security partnerships in Europe could see a shift back to a more transactional model. Historically, his administration had a different approach to international alliances, which can be unsettling for countries reliant on NATO support. Norway, being strategically located, may find itself reassessing its defense policies in light of an unpredictable Trump administration.
Editor: Thank you, Per. It’s been incredibly enlightening to hear your perspective on these issues. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts on the election and its potential ramifications on the Norwegian-American community?
Per Lykke: Just that the Norwegian-American community is highly nuanced. Their decisions are reflective of broader American sentiments but also retain some distinctive characteristics that can challenge assumptions we might have. They are deeply engaged, and as the election unfolds, it will be crucial to listen to all their voices.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights, Per. Your observations are invaluable as we continue to analyze the election landscape.