Probably along the lines of a party vote except for the I's.
We had the highest inflation in 40+ years and interest rates skyrocketing. You will be hard pressed to claim this election was about the economy, no?
RvW and Trump and his cohorts being seen as lunatics certainly didn't help the Republican ticket.
Crime was an ironic ticket item. On the one hand, Rs are seen as the tougher on crime platform. On the other hand, there was a rash of mass shootings (which thankfully seems to have slowed down), which Ds are seen as the gun control party. I'd put that as a push overall.
The economy was jittery with skyrocketing inflation and high gas prices, skyrocketing interest and mortgage rates, a weakening housing market, and a tanking stock market. However, inflation is spiralling globally, not just locally. The dollar has probably strengthened against most major currencies since Biden took over. Unemployment remains low.
RvW caused the Ds to have the upper have on the personal liberty card, a card the Rs usually claim for their own. It made this an unusual election.
But yes, the Rs certainly lost big considering the opportunity they had, and it's hard to say that Trump and being seen as a supporter of him wasn't a significant part of that.
