What is driving your vote for president in this election? What is driving your vote for president in this election?
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian
Abigail, 23, Va., white
Since August, we’ve been talking weekly with a group of young voters who are torn among Donald Trump, Kamala Harris and a write-in choice, to track their changing opinions. Most of them voted for Joe Biden in 2020 or were too young to vote. What has become clear in our conversations is that they are disappointed with the Biden administration and they want change, a strong leader, a better economy, secure borders and a powerful America in the world. And in last week’s debate, most of them loved JD Vance — until the final question.
These undecided voters are really, really troubled by Trump’s refusal to admit he lost the 2020 election (and Vance’s refusal to say that in the debate). Many of them were horrified by the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and they are worried about the fate of American democracy in Trump’s hands. What Trump would do to American democracy is the biggest single stumbling block in voting for him for the largest share of our group.
Can Trump overcome this? Maybe with some of them; they have urgent concerns about the economy and immigration and prefer Trump on those fronts. But Tim Walz’s question to Vance at the debate — did Trump lose the 2020 election? — and Vance’s nonanswer crystallized a big reason some undecided moderate and even conservative voters would never go for Trump or didn’t feel they could trust him ever again to deal responsibly with election results or the democratic process.
“I don’t trust Kamala with our national security or with our economy. But I don’t know if I trust Trump to be a normal person for the next three months,” said Lillian, a 27-year-old Virginian who voted for Trump in 2020 but is now undecided.
These voters suggest that Trump should be more worried than Harris right now. They’re similar to those 158,000 Republican primary voters in Pennsylvania who supported Nikki Haley over Trump in April — one month after she dropped out of the presidential race. There are voters who said “never again” about Trump after Jan. 6. Just how many of them there are, and where, could shape the outcome of the election.
Participants
Abigail 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Angelo 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Ayshah 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Chris 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
George 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Jack 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Jasper 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Joseph 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
Laura 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Lillian 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Mark 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
McLane 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Pierce 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Transcript
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Give me one word to describe last week’s debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Refreshing.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Satisfying.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Important.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Needed.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Throwback.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Dignified.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Abigail, tell me a little bit about “dignified.”
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
I was proud to be an American when I was watching that debate.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
It was good to talk about policy rather than insults.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
There are times when the candidates complimented one another or agreed on certain policies or even mentioned the possibility of bipartisanship. It was what America needed. We needed to be shown that we don’t just have idiots in power.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Did the debate influence or change your mind about the presidential race?
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Well, I don’t think I can vote for Donald Trump. Although JD Vance was so impressive, there was that moment when Tim Walz asked Vance: Did Trump lose the 2020 election? That was the one question I kept track of. JD Vance didn’t actually answer directly. This issue is not going away. And that was one big drawback. This is why I’m still undecided.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Chris, you’re nodding along to Abigail.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Yeah, JD Vance came off as very smart. He had the clear advantage on the bread-and-butter issues. But it was like a boxing match where one boxer outboxed the other for eight rounds — and then in the ninth round, he got knocked out in an upset because of the Jan. 6 question. I thought it was a great opportunity for Vance to try to at least mend that issue with voters like me. And unfortunately, he didn’t. I was really disappointed with that.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Walz danced around the Tiananmen Square issue and refused to admit he was wrong. It was refreshing to hear a Republican politician discuss some of their not-so-great issues, such as abortion, gun violence, and find a happy medium. But as Chris said, it was disappointing to hear the Jan. 6 answer.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
In our last focus group, I said that Vance’s performance as vice-presidential candidate was disgusting and disappointing — his rhetoric around families and women, especially the childless cat lady comment. Even though I am not a childless cat lady, I have many in my life, and they were dehumanized by that. And in the debate, I’m very happy that he proved me wrong. His comments around family, parental leave, child care and the pro-life issue were really common-sense solutions.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Vance is disingenuous. But he is a good communicator. If Trump wants to win, he should go in a basement and let Vance win the votes.
Abigail,
23, Va., white
Ayshah,
21, Iowa, South Asian
Jasper,
25, Calif., biracial
Joseph,
24, S.C., white
Laura,
20, Md., white
Lillian,
27, Va., white
McLane,
25, D.C., white
Pierce,
26, N.C., white
Angelo,
19, N.Y., Latino
Chris,
24, Fla., white
George,
21, Ga., white
Jack,
22, N.Y., white
Mark,
24, Calif., Black
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
It made me more likely to vote for Trump because Vance as vice president would own up to his faults. He’s not like the average politician.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
I was leaning towards a write-in. Now, after seeing JD Vance speak and how eloquent he was, I’m more inclined to vote for him.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Knowing that Trump is old and Vance would be able to take over, I’d be slightly more likely to vote for Trump. Walz is less capable than Harris.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
I feel very comfortable voting for JD Vance, knowing he will keep Donald Trump at bay.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
When I fill out a ballot in November, I would be voting for Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. Donald Trump has made his stances and actions very well known. Mike Pence tried his best to stop Donald Trump from doing things that people would consider crazy, but ultimately, Trump is going to do what Trump wants to do because he’s Trump. JD Vance is on the record saying he would not have certified the 2020 election and would have sent it back to the states. I think he would be a yes-man to Trump.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
I’m religious. Vance is religious. I just fundamentally believe that Vance would be able to make good decisions for the country. That’s why it made me more likely to vote for Trump. I thought, “Let me at least vote for one good person on this ticket.”
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
I’m with Chris. If it were literally any other Republican politician, maybe they could be contained. But I just find it really hard to believe that Trump is going to cede to JD Vance.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What’s a word or phrase that describes how you’re feeling about Kamala Harris?
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Just OK.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Uh-oh, honeymoon’s over.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Mid.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
The paint is wearing off.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Disingenuous.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Unclear.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Phony.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Scared to talk directly to the American people.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Uninspired.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Absent.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Flip-flopper.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Just hanging around.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Propped up.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Angelo, talk to me about “just OK.”
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
I bet if Trump wasn’t the Republican nominee, she would be losing in the polling compared to someone like Nikki Haley or Glenn Youngkin. There’s something about her that just does not seem like she’s being honest. She just turns me off. She’s just OK, especially with someone she’s going against like Trump.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Laura, you said “phony.” And in our last group, you were a little more positive about Harris.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Yeah, last time, she impressed me because I had seen nothing, and what I saw was better than nothing. I haven’t seen much since then. Her ads seem really fake to me. Everything she says just comes off as kind of off.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Chris, you said “absent.”
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
There’s been a lot of pressing issues going on in the country and in the world. And I’m very disappointed in Biden and Harris for not really showing American leadership and putting themselves out there and communicating to the public about the hurricane, the Iranian strikes on Israel, the worker strike. After a really good debate from Harris against Trump, I think she just went back into a cocoon and hasn’t really continued to get any momentum.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
One of my biggest frustrations is that in times of crisis, this administration has been notably absent. And it’s been on full display over the last few weeks. I think Kamala Harris has done just two big interviews since she’s been the nominee. That’s ridiculous if you’re running to be president.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
I was more hopeful about her. And then over the past few weeks, she hasn’t done anything during these crises.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
So I’m just going to zero in on a few of you who have been more Harris-disposed than Trump-disposed. Has Harris lost you, or is it more on the bubble? Can any of you really imagine voting definitely for Trump?
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
I’ve never been excited to vote for Harris. I don’t like Trump or Vance. She hasn’t really done interviews at all, so I’m not learning anything new, so my opinion isn’t changing on her.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Same. I’m not really a Trump guy. That’s why I would lean towards Harris. And JD Vance turned me off a lot when it came to the Jan. 6 stuff as well.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
To me, Harris was beating Trump because of the debate. I hoped she’d continue to improve. She remained the same.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
I still probably will vote for Harris. It’s not something I’m going to do happily. Some days, I think maybe I’ll write in, and then I see a Donald Trump Truth Social post. We just have to reject this guy.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Give me a word or phrase describing how you feel about Donald Trump.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Exhausting.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Better than alternative.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Falling apart.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Infuriating.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Fuming.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Go play golf and stay quiet.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Stewing.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
More present.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
A hot air balloon.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Stressful.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Self-destructive.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Probably has PTSD.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
I’m tired.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
George, tell me about “fuming.”
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
He came off as angry after the first debate. He’s carried that on and is just exhausting himself on Truth Social, as opposed to going out and being in the public eye more.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Lillian, tell me about “stewing.”
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I’ve seen very little of Trump. I know he did a few town halls, but I feel like he’s just kind of looming like a dark, shadowy figure in the background just waiting to explode.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
I have been so unimpressed by Kamala and Walz and just feel more and more that they are not making enough efforts to move their policy to the middle. I’m still not sure if I’m prepared to vote for him, but I do feel like he is better than Kamala at this point.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Has anything happened in the last few weeks that’s changed your view of Trump?
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
Personally, with the hurricane that hit South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee, I feel like he’s been a lot more present. Why can’t Kamala Harris look the American people in the eye and tell us why we should vote for her? How is she going to tell foreign leaders an answer that’s going to put America first when she does not seem interested in putting Americans first? And I feel like Donald Trump is more interested in doing that.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
I got the opposite feeling with the hurricane. His first instinct when the hurricane happened, he started lying about Brian Kemp not being able to get in touch with Joe Biden. Kemp was saying, no, I’ve talked to the president. A hurricane hit, and Trump was more interested in how this could benefit him politically. This is a person that’s first and foremost interested in himself. I just can’t take him seriously.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
In terms of the Florida gunman incident, I was impressed with how Trump was complimentary towards the Secret Service. These are qualities that I look for in a president — how they respond in crisis situations.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
When the Mark Robinson stuff came out, to hear that Donald Trump had called him Martin Luther King Jr. on steroids — I thought that was really disappointing. The Republican leadership right now can’t separate themselves from some of this craziness.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What is the one issue or the one thing that’s going to drive your vote for president in this election?
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Inflation, crime and immigration.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
The economy and international affairs.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Abortion and health care.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Security.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Respecting democracy.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Is there going to be a presidential candidate who shows enough character and holds politics up to be what it should be to get me to actually vote for either of the candidates?
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
How are you going to handle things when things don’t go your way?
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Potential war in the Middle East and inflation.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Character.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Their values and their understanding of what freedom means.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Economic regulation, deregulation and tariffs.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
Inflation and my right to free speech.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Yeah, American democracy.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
McLane and Abigail, you touched on character.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
I think both have deep character issues. My policies align more with Trump, but he has such deep character flaws. And I am concerned that character can flow into policy, which leads me to struggle to vote for him. Kamala is a windmill of whatever Democratic policy is the flavor of the day. And so I think because she’s unable to move to the center, it will be really tough for me to vote for her.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
We all know what Trump has lied about. Kamala lied to our faces about Biden’s age issues, which I think is a huge deal. I need to figure out which one matters more, given the fact that I unquestionably agree with Donald Trump’s policies. How am I supposed to figure out which lie matters more, which one is more of a threat to our democracy?
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Angelo, in August you said “political violence.” Now you said “democracy.” Why is that?
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
I’m just scared of a situation where we have another Jan. 6, where we have people trying to overthrow the election. I feel if Trump loses again, it’ll happen again. I really want American democracy not to die.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Pierce, you mentioned inflation, crime and immigration.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
We could talk about women’s health care all day. We could talk about safety. We can talk about the economy. But at the end of the day, thousands of immigrants are here who have committed crimes against people. We’re living in a fantasy land where Kamala Harris is not responsible for that open border. It’s almost treasonous.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Mark, you talked about a wider Middle East war.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
For me, both candidates were the same when it came to Gaza. Now with Iran attacking Israel and Lebanon being invaded by Israel as well — I’d give it a little bit more time and see where both politicians end up standing on that.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
One issue that keeps coming up has been Jan. 6 and Trump’s refusal to say he lost the election and Vance’s remarks during the course of the campaign that he would not have certified the 2020 election if he’d been in Mike Pence’s position. Why does Jan. 6 matter to you?
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
It shows that Trump is deranged and a psychopath. And particularly with the events that have happened in Springfield, Ohio, his complete denial for the truth is huge to me. That’s probably why I can’t vote for him, even if I agree with some of his policies.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
It shows that he can’t handle losing. And that’s scary for a president when you need to concede on certain points.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
My opinion on Jan. 6 changed when I found out that Trump requested more help at the Capitol.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Jan. 6 was unfortunate. But as someone who’s lived in Atlanta, who has seen riots, it’s no different than any one of those. And what happened on Jan. 20? Joe Biden became president. So I think it sort of becomes this rallying cry that’s been overplayed in the last few years.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
I have genuine concern over whether Democrats would accept the results if Trump won.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
They’ll continue the legal stuff. I do feel like going after Trump is a partisan and motivated thing. It’s not this objective thing about a crime that people are going after him in good faith.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
He just did an interview where he says: We’ll see if I accept the results of the election. We might have the same problem again, all because of one man’s insecurities.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
On a scale of 0 to 10, 0 being horrible, 10 being the best ever, give us a number that represents your current opinion of Kamala Harris
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
4.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
3.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
3.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
3.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
2.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
0, but I wish it could be negative.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
2.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
2.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
4.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
4.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
2.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
3.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
4.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Jack, why has your number on Harris gone down since we last talked?
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
I think at the V.P. debate, my impression of both Trump and Harris has just plummeted. Vance and Walz are two people who are capable of being in power And I compare it to the other debate, where it was just a giant cluster and no substance at all.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Let’s do 0 to 10 with Trump.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
5.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Probably 5.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
5.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
6.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
0, but I wish it can be negative again.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
5.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
5.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
0.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
2.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
0.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
5.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
2.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
4.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What’s something you all have changed your mind about in recent weeks?
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I think the thing raising my opinion of Trump is my opinion of Kamala. The Biden-Harris administration couldn’t establish deterrence in the Middle East for the last year, and so now they are bombing the heck out of Israel.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
We talked about JD Vance, but quite frankly, Walz surprised me as well. I thought he was eloquent and civil.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
I’m not saying America needs to be the only superpower in the world, but I feel like at points in the last month, we haven’t even been a power, given everything going on in the Middle East.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
I want to raise a branch of government that we’ve not been talking about but is just as important as the presidency, and that’s Congress. Give me a sentence to describe Congress.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Awful.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Extremely incompetent.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Dysfunctional.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
Invested in their own jobs. I don’t think that translates to being invested in America.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Unproductive.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
More interested in news headlines and re-election than governing for us.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Performers, not legislators.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Atrophying and not used to exercising its legislative muscle.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Why are you so negative for Congress?
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
It’s just total chaos on the Republican side. You have Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz just calling the shots, causing such disarray in the House. And then on the Democrat side with Pelosi, I feel like it’s all establishment BS. They put a bunch of stuff into a bill and then pass it within a couple hours. Things should be passed within a few pages.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Congress won’t pass common-sense bills that are introduced by the other side. That’s depressing.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Yeah, I agree. And I think the other thing that frustrates me is how many people in Congress are millionaires. All of us are struggling, and they enrich themselves.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
You’re watching two grown women go at it in the House about eyelashes and badly built bodies.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Is there any specific legislation that irritates you or anything that they didn’t do that specifically makes you angry?
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
I just hate how they pass the buck. The Democrats yell about restoring Roe v. Wade. But they’ve had united control of government two or three times since Obama was president. They could have codified Roe.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
You just have a billion different riders on bills to satisfy all these weirdos in Congress. It’s just nuts.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
You think Congress is made up of weirdos, George?
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Have you seen Matt Gaetz? Have you seen the facelift song? Come on.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
When you see votes that are split completely by party lines: You can’t tell me every single Democrat agrees with this and every single Republican is opposed. And it just shows that they’re more interested in party lines.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Abigail, who is the best member of Congress?
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Senator Tom Cotton.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Joe Manchin because he actually feels like he wants to represent his constituents.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Bernie.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
Josh Hawley.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Peter Welch and, hopefully in the future, Larry Hogan if he gets elected.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Now give me the worst member of Congress.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Ilhan Omar.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Matt Gaetz is the worst.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
A.O.C.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
Lauren Boebert.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Cori Bush.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
I’m going to say Boebert as well.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
Matt Gaetz.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
Matt Gaetz.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Rashida Tlaib.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Give me one word or sentence to describe the Supreme Court.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
Excellent.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Corrupt.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
We need an enforceable code of ethics because they can’t be held accountable right now.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Decent.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
They’re doing what they’re intended to do. They’re doing their job.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Biased.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
Upholding the Constitution.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
I feel like there’s something wrong, but I can’t really defend that or put a finger on it.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Principled.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I think they’re doing a good job.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
They’re OK, but we can’t pack the court, and we can’t change the court.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
We really do need term limits, but I do agree we should not pack the court.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Does the Supreme Court understand you? Do they represent you? Do they do their jobs the way that they are meant to be done?
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I do not need the Supreme Court to understand me because I need them to understand the Constitution and write opinions that understand the Constitution. And they don’t have to care about me.
McLane, 25, D.C., white, legal field, wrote in Romney in 2020
They are not our elected officials. Their job is to interpret the law, not make law.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
It should just be someone who can follow and interpret the Constitution as it’s written.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
Let’s say the nine justices are listening to this conversation right now. What would you say if the Supreme Court were listening to you right now?
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
I’d say, don’t be a conservative judge. Don’t be a liberal judge. Be a judge that interprets the Constitution and each decision independently.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
Only let the Constitution influence your decision, not a political party or politician.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
I would say, while outside the term, go speak to the public more. Go to events that people can attend to learn more about what the court does. And also write your opinions in a way for normal people and nonlawyers to understand equally as well.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
I would ask them to uphold what’s going on in society and to do what’s best for freedom rather than just the Constitution.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
I think you should be aware if you are a Trump appointee. And I think that you should make clear in your opinion what it is not OK for presidents to do.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I would tell them to keep on grinding and that they need a new P.R. team.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Watch out for what gifts you take from your friends.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
When you hear the word “capitalism,” what do you think?
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
Opportunity.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Incredible at increasing prosperity for everybody.
Mark, 24, Calif., Black, chef, voted Biden in 2020
It’s not the best system. It’s not the worst system. And I think we need to be open about debating its positives and its flaws and not be stuck in our bubbles.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
A fair chance to go from rags to riches.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
It allows individuals to achieve their dreams.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
The most humane economic system the world has ever seen.
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
The epitome of freedom and liberty.
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
The American dream.
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
It could be better.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
It’s better than what came before it, but I still hope that someday we can surpass it.
Moderator, Frank Luntz
That’s a very strong endorsement from most of you, but it’s at a time of high inflation. It’s at a time of economic insecurity. Why are you so positive when so many Americans are so negative?
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Inflation is not due to capitalism. It’s due to our monetary policy, and ultimately, that’s a failure of the Federal Reserve. I mean, when it comes to capitalism, there’s no other system in the world that’s brought as much wealth and as many dreams in people’s lives.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
I have a lot of friends from international countries. And one thing that they all vocalize is that there aren’t opportunities back home for them. They came here to this capitalist society because they see a chance to grow and to succeed.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
I don’t think there’s many places in the world where the economic system empowers you to become what you want to be. It does take a lot of hard work, and sometimes the odds are stacked against you. But in a capitalist system, you are able to make it happen.
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
I live in Miami, and there’s a very big Cuban population here. And they’ll talk to you about what it was like growing up under Castro’s Cuba, under other countries in South America, Venezuela being a big one right now. I would rather be poor, middle class and upper class in America than I would in any other country.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Switching back to the election, who is still undecided? Most of you, except Pierce, George, Chris, Jack and Jasper, it looks like. Pierce, who are you going to vote for?
Pierce, 26, N.C., white, sales, didn’t vote in 2020
I’m going to go for JD Vance and Donald Trump because I know that a lot has happened and Vance is next in line.
George, 21, Ga., white, student, didn’t vote in 2020
Trump, but if there’s a clear lead in the polls, I’m probably going to throw one to Chase Oliver.
Jack, 22, N.Y., white, underwriter, voted Biden in 2020
I’m writing in Mike Bloomberg. I don’t trust Kamala at all. And then with Trump, I think he’s gone off the deep end with the Springfield stuff. I can’t see him being focused back in the White House, so I’m going to go write-in.
Jasper, 25, Calif., biracial, food service, voted Biden in 2020
I’m probably going to vote for Trump.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
And Chris?
Chris, 24, Fla., white, law student, voted Trump in 2020
I’m thinking I’m going to vote for Kamala Harris. I just can’t get over what happened in 2020 and what’s been reaffirmed in the debates and the general statements made during the campaign. The alternative slate of electors schemes is a bridge too far for me.
George,
21, Ga., white
Jasper,
25, Calif., biracial
Joseph,
24, S.C., white
Pierce,
26, N.C., white
Ayshah,
21, Iowa, South Asian
Chris,
24, Fla., white
Abigail,
23, Va., white
Angelo,
19, N.Y., Latino
Jack,
22, N.Y., white
Laura,
20, Md., white
Lillian,
27, Va., white
Mark,
24, Calif., Black
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Angelo, you’ve been leaning Harris a little bit. And I know tonight, you raised some concerns. But why are you in the write-in camp right now?
Angelo, 19, N.Y., Latino, college worker, didn’t vote in 2020
The more I look into it, the more I watch the debate, the more I look into her campaign, I cannot trust her. I’m not going to vote for Trump, but I just — the more I think about it, the more I just don’t know if I can vote for Harris because I just do not trust her.
Ayshah, 21, Iowa, South Asian, student, didn’t vote in 2020
I just want to see what she will do because I know she’s going to have to run again later. So I’m hoping she will be an exemplary president for this term.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Laura, you said “write-in.” Tell me a little bit about that.
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Yeah, I feel like I can’t contribute in good conscience to either the Democratic or the Republican nominee right now, since I’m not a fan of either of them. Larry Hogan is someone who I really admire as a politician. I’d probably write him in for our presidential candidate.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Laura, who would you be more OK with as president in 2025 — Trump or Harris?
Laura, 20, Md., white, legal intern, didn’t vote in 2020
Our last meeting, I probably would have said Harris, but I don’t know if I can say that anymore. Her politics have just been the same. They haven’t really improved. So I can’t decide.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Abigail and Lillian, you’re both in the write-in camp right now. Why?
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I don’t trust Kamala with our national security or with our economy. But I don’t know if I trust Trump to be a normal person for the next three months.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Lillian, in 2025 do you feel like you’d be more OK with Trump or with Harris as president?
Lillian, 27, Va., white, digital advertising, voted Trump in 2020
I would be happy if Trump was president in 2025 if I knew that he wasn’t going to be a maniac in between Election Day and Inauguration Day.
Joseph, 24, S.C., white, high school teacher, voted Biden in 2020
That’s where I’m at, too, Patrick.
Abigail, 23, Va., white, graduate assistant, voted Biden in 2020
Me, too. But the thing is, I do not want to tell my children I voted for someone that actually threatened democracy.
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