Did Trump set a new trend in the Rust Belt?

[The Govanah Jake]

They were never solid "Freiwal" democratic states. In 2000 and 2004 Wisconsin was decided by less then 1 percentage point, Michigan was 5% or less, Minnesota was won by only 2% in 2000 and 3-4% in 2004, and Pennsylvannia was also within 5 points both times. They were becoming more republican in the early and mid 2000s. This trend was delayed big time in 2008 due to the Great Recession, republican Fatigue among other things, came back a little in 2012 with the Great Recession effects wearing off but Romney was a awful fit for the rust belt, and fully came back with trump to win three rust belt states with a populistic message. They use to be dem leaning swing states but now are full on swing states. Republicans can win them with a populist candidate like trump but so can the democrats win them back. What we will see probally is the Rust belt becoming less democratic and more republican in the future if the trend continues though and maybe see some of the rust belt states becoming solid republican states like Iowa but that will probally depend on the direction the republicans take.