I have personal convictions, and then, as a writer, I have an imagination for trying to grasp several other points-of-view. I feel there are a lot of wise people, many of whom don't write fiction, who honestly try for this, too.
I think, in our various information silos, there is a great temptation towards impatience (for the forebearance of those most at risk) in understanding those whose beliefs seem misinformed. There is a lot of anger embraced by those who choose that, over despair.
for those of us who concerned ourselves to any degree about the Election- and bear in mind the number of people who either didn't vote because of disinterest in local politics and a certainty they lived in a state whose Electoral Votes seemed decided. That figures into the numbers when one is trying to decide the size of any mandate. I think many Americans were going to feel as though their well-being and opinions were disregarded. The stories of self-interested parties on Capitol Hill are a part of any American's culturally-inculcated skepticism. I find facts that suggest that's not just their imaginations at work, either. Local initiatives are more individual and have a lot of effect on where a person decides to settle. Do you want to be where jobs, good schools, good roads and utilities are? And wherever you live, is it in any way something you, the private citizen, can affect? (I say, almost invariably, yes, but I also don't see the average citizen as being very civic-minded that way.) But the over-arching schemata in which your locality operates is also affected by your state (especially depending on your personal needs). We might over-estimate the drama and importance of the federal level, but that also has bearing. For some, more than they wish. Others depend on the federal government for a fair shake.
As a rule, not to be altered by political outcomes:
I personally cannot afford to dwell in gloom, regardless, as that will take away my ability to help anyone, much less, myself. Many people have a long-standing habit of Doomsaying. Our economy was not in the shambles of post-World War Germany, and the vengeance doesn't seem imperialist, but personal. Whether we are dissolving as a democracy remains to be seen; there have been unhealthy signs for quite some time. As people become consumed with the fixations of their choice, the fronts of information expand, including some outright deception. The average person, I think, is not bothering with research on the numerous topics integral to legislation on local, state and especially national levels. The hardest part is, if you suspect agendas behind the information, it can become a reaction, to dismiss claims of facts. It can feel like a conspiracy/ cash grab to steal a piece of your very sanity!
Most people are not probably ready to wrap their heads around everything a President or Congress faces. I personally didn't invest as much into local political decisions, as I still feel somewhat detached from the doings of my town, as I have less skin in the game at present.
I'm sure those who were indifferent, remain so; many who were energized, feel negated, feel no affiliation with the dour and spiteful pronouncements of those who think "I told you so" is going to objectively count for anything. And I imagine some feel relieved (no politically-charged violence, though there may be some, state-sanctioned, next year), and some, elated. Even among those who trusted in the rationality of their thoughts, whether you respect the outcomes or no, they too must also acknowledge the apparent reality of their fellow Americans, who, if they voted, did so mostly by feel and previous disposition. I do think some minds were changed in the interum, but those people might value keeping their opinions free of open conflict (because they don't enjoy those sorts of arguments, which I have seen get violently out of hand on occasion).
It's very emotional, and most people fall victim to some sort of confirmation bias even if, especially if, they are trying to pay attention. I see what will be asked of police departments create a conflict of conscience, but that could lead to the worst of us stepping in gladly. I realize every election in history has less-informed voters astride each divide. The tools available via the government- and I personally only use the most basic public services, because i can manage my basic needs, if not get ahead this way- are different, depending on who wins. My deepest concern would've been true regardless: I do not want the rich to 'eat' us. I do not want an oligarchy, but it has been growing systemically, more so since Citizens United. The question is, how do you grow grassroots awareness when so much of the public is indifferent and incurious. Not everyone is a poli sci wonk. But emotions brought out a lot of voters, and they kept a lot of people home, too, especially in non-battleground states.
Right now, a lot of people who were told Harris was polling ahead feel lied to. Many of them were worried about the rights and treatment of others, and many felt there were promising ideas for improvement offered- but that would've depended on summoning the bicameral votes, always. And our Supreme Court, frankly, works beneath the notice of the average citizen. As people grow more disenchanted with the catastrophism they find in the Fourth Estate (which now has a multitude of ideologically-motivated spokespeople, some earnest, some cashing in), it's gotten really hard to agree upon sources of Truth in matters beyond our most mundane.
It's true that every President-Elect would do well to be prudent and humble. I think beating the numerous charges and seeing cases dropped has lent an elation to our present President-Elect. Is he trying to establish trusted people who do not have the Deep State's hands up their puppets? That is the only way to see his wish for appointees without careful vetting (he doesn't want to share power with anyone, I think) in a light other than alarm. Is it the Deep State trying to sabotage his reckoning? Or is Congress being asked to forego common sense?
He is a place where anything seems possible. Whether the Supreme Court would ever be willing to delegate greater executive immunity seems a settled question, even though it's surprising they would willingly forego the power of their own position. I assure you the Senate is not so entirely in the bag. Voters on a state level are often turning out to restore reproductive rights.
We will be finding out the actuality of the swing of the pendulum, so to speak.