What’s the word that describes how you feel about the 2024 presidential election? What’s the word
that describes how you
feel about the 2024
presidential election?
Kenneth, 29, Latino, Texas
Kim, 43, Black, N.C.
Gary, 64, white, Mich.
What can President Biden say and do to win over undecided voters? What concerns and arguments will draw these voters to Donald Trump? For our latest Times Opinion focus group, we spoke with 13 undecided independent voters from across the country about how they see the two leading presidential candidates and explored some issues that might affect how they vote in November. To a striking degree, most of the participants tilted toward Mr. Trump, even though they disliked his personality.
So why did they lean toward Mr. Trump? As you’ll read below, almost all the voters (who range in age from 22 to 64) were most worried about the economy and how their groceries and other bills were too costly. Some were also deeply troubled by the crisis at the southern border, and some were concerned about the Israel-Gaza war and disliked U.S. aid to other countries. The participants’ comments indicated that most did not feel they were in good hands with Mr. Biden or trust that they would be, using words like “senile,” “unfit” and “disingenuous” to describe him. And while the group viewed Mr. Trump negatively, some people suggested that the country was on its toes more with him in office.
“At least Donald Trump started a conversation. Sure, it was divisive, and sure, it really wasn’t the most productive, but it really highlighted problems and the divisiveness that was already hidden inside of our country,” said Yalena, a 22-year-old Latina from Alabama. At the same time, she described experiencing more racism while Mr. Trump was president, including an ugly incident while dining out with her mother.
These seeming contradictions came up with other matters as well; there was concern about the future of abortion rights yet skepticism that Mr. Biden or Mr. Trump would be any different on the issue. Many didn’t seem to understand the Democratic president’s views on abortion. If there was one takeaway, it’s that Mr. Biden has his work cut out for him to win over these voters.
Participants
Daniel 39, white, Minnesota, project manager
Gary 64, white, Michigan, driving instructor
Hal 61, white, Florida, salesperson
Henry 60, Black, Georgia, consultant
Kenneth 29, Latino, Texas, construction estimator
Kim 43, Black, North Carolina, counselor
Lorraine 56, white, Pennsylvania, retired
Meaghan 36, white, Wisconsin, administrative assistant
Natalie 22, white, New Jersey, administrative clerk
Pavel 49, white, Nevada, operations manager
Richard 36, white, Arizona, architect
Robin 59, white, New Hampshire, retired
Yalena 22, Latina, Alabama, stay-at-home mom
Transcript
Moderator, Margie Omero
Fill in the blank: When I think about how things are going in the country right now, I’m most worried about: blank.
Robin 59, white, New Hampshire, retired
The economy.
Lorraine 56, white, Pennsylvania, retired
Education.
Henry 60, Black, Georgia, consultant
Inflation.
Yalena 22, Latina, Alabama, stay-at-home mom
Economy.
Pavel 49, white, Nevada, operations manager
Economy.
Daniel 39, white, Minnesota, project manager
Economy.
Kenneth 29, Latino, Texas, construction estimator
Foreign policy.
Meaghan 36, white, Wisconsin, administrative assistant
My child’s future.
Richard 36, white, Arizona, architect
Economy.
Natalie 22, white, New Jersey, administrative clerk
Where the government’s money’s going.
Kim 43, Black, North Carolina, counselor
Affordable housing.
Gary 64, white, Michigan, driving instructor
Original article here. .