When you think about Donald Trump,
what’s the first word that comes to mind? When you think about
Donald Trump, what’s the first
word that comes to mind?
“Strong.”
Rina, 69, Pa., Rep.
“Funny.”
Uche, 25, Pa., ind.
“Obnoxious.”
Gaylin, 31, Ga., ind.
In a previous Times Opinion focus group, we spoke with nine men who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 to explore what they thought of him now. Some praised his decency or credited him with infrastructure projects in their communities. But all of them said they wished someone other than Mr. Biden would be the Democratic presidential nominee this year. (Ditto for a Republican other than Donald Trump.) There was broad respect for Mr. Biden but not a lot of enthusiasm.
This focus group is a companion to that Biden group: We spoke with 12 women who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020 to discuss how they saw him now. (We often zero in on specific demographic groups to discuss politics.)
There was clearly enthusiasm for Mr. Trump’s candidacy, but many of the voters seemed motivated more by anti-Biden attitudes than pro-Trump ones. When we asked them to give a word describing Mr. Trump, fewer than half the words were positive. But disdain for Mr. Trump’s personality was exceeded by frustration with Mr. Biden on policy and competence. There was a strong desire to change leaders in 2024 and a certainty that inflation, interest rates and the economy would be more likely to improve under Mr. Trump than under Mr. Biden.
Several voters expressed interest in Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and some were concerned about Mr. Trump’s ongoing trial and other legal issues. But in the end, the women had powerful memories of the economy being better under Mr. Trump, and they did not see him as so different from politicians who try to hide their scandals or want subordinates to obey their orders.
Melissa, a 43-year-old independent from Arizona who is Latina and works in human resources, reflected the views of a lot of women in the group with this comment about Mr. Trump: “I would probably vote for him again because I do believe he’s a strong leader, a businessman. So he knows how to do what is right for our economy or to turn us in a better direction. He’s very inappropriate in his comments. But I didn’t vote for him to teach my child how to speak or how to be appropriate.”
Patrick Healy and Kristen Soltis Anderson
Mr. Healy is the deputy Opinion editor. Ms. Soltis Anderson is a pollster.
Participants 
Traci 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Melissa 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
Krys 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Marjorie 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Teri 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Gaylin 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Kathy 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
Uche 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Rina 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Eva 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Glory 27, Georgia, Republican, Black, nanny
Kathleen 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Transcript
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
If you had to describe in one word what is going wrong in America these days, what is on the wrong track, what would you say?
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Rights.
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
Everything.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Values.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Leadership.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Crime.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Pride.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Everything.
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
Patriotism.
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Priorities.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Economy.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Economy.
Glory, 27, Georgia, Republican, Black, nanny
Freedom.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Uche, tell me a little why you picked “values.”
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Our leadership really only values money and what is going to make the most money for people who already have money.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What would you like to see them value?
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Humans, safety, rights. I really liked the word “rights.”
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Teri, you said “rights.” Tell me a little bit about that.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
There’s been a lot going on as far as rights for women and abortion. I don’t have a strong feeling one way or another, but I think that they should be able to choose what happens to their bodies.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Kathleen, you said “priorities.”
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Leaders are like, “Oh, I’m going to do X, Y, Z for you.” And then they don’t do X, Y, Z for you. That’s a long list for our current president. The first one is removing student loans. That’s a major one for me. If you’re going to say it, then do it. I do make a livable wage, but that can soon change because of the inflation.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
There’s a lot of things going sideways and downhill with the economy. If we think back four to five years, before Covid, things were not this bad. I’ve been hearing over a year how interest rates are going to get lower, and it never happens. I was taking a look at my bank account and how expenses in groceries — I have three kids — went from $200 to $400. Explain to me how a 12 count of eggs can be $2 and then the next month it’s $6. Why? What’s going on? It’s a little bit sad.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
I’m going to read five policy issues, and I’d like to know which one is the most important to you.
Which issue is the most important to you? Which issue is the most
important to you? The economy Melissa,
43, Ariz., ind. Krys,
52, N.C., ind. Teri,
44, Wis., ind. Gaylin,
31, Ga., ind. Rina,
69, Pa., Rep. Eva,
60, Nev., Rep. Immigration and the border Traci,
54, Mich., ind. Marjorie,
36, N.C., Rep. Kathy,
67, Ariz., ind. Abortion Uche,
25, Pa., ind. Family policies like equal pay and parental leave No one raised a hand. Equality of the sexes Glory,
27, Ga., Rep. Kathleen,
28, Ga., Rep.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
On the economy, what happens when people can’t afford things? I think there’s an indication of higher crime, higher homelessness. Our economy wasn’t like this however many years ago. It wasn’t tanked like this. The exorbitant amount of student loans. The interest rates. Kids can’t get ahead. And during Covid, the government’s feeding us money for not working.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Kathy, why immigration?
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
I live in a border state. Not too long ago on the news, there was footage of a hole in the fence in the Mexico border, and literally droves of people coming through, probably dressed a little nicer than I am right now. And no one stopped them. And they were trespassing across a farmer’s land. And when he called the police and the Border Patrol, they showed up, but they didn’t do a thing. So to me, that’s tantamount to “It’s free here. Come on over. We’ll give you food stamps. We’ll give you a place to live.” And that’s got to be cutting into our economy.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Uche, you mentioned abortion rights.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
I think all the issues were important. But I feel like from president to president, there’s not much of a difference, as far as how the economy goes and immigration. But the abortion issue — for some reason, the country has decided that is a super-important issue to take away. I would want someone who just lets it rest. Codify Roe v. Wade or just let it be a choice and then move on to different issues.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
I want to talk about Donald Trump. When you think about Donald Trump, I’d like to know what the first word is that comes to mind.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
He’s very vocal.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Jackass. I’m sorry.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Strong.
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
Pompous.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Not a politician.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Funny.
Glory, 27, Georgia, Republican, Black, nanny
Reckless.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Joke.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Confident.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Obnoxious.
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
Inappropriate.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Rina, you said “strong.” Tell me why and how your views of Donald Trump have changed or not changed since the last election.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
My views have not changed from the last election. If anything, I’m discouraged, and I’m actually scared of the climate and people — families, friends — just oozing hatred to the point where I feel like it’s just overwhelming. I feel like we’re in a silent civil war, and it’s scary. It’s reeled out of control, and I want it to get back to normal.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Uche, you said “funny.”
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
He’s just funny. He’s a funny person. But I think my opinions of him, especially with everything that came out with the legal cases against him and how he reacts, he’s still very funny, but I don’t think he makes a good leader.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK. Tell me why you don’t think he makes a good leader. What’s changed in the last four years?
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Before, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. But seeing more of his personality, things he’s said in private, the court proceedings, it’s just getting to be too much. It’s funny, and it’s comical, but as far as this is someone you’d want to run the nation — I don’t think so anymore.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Gaylin, you said “obnoxious.”
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
I think he’s a very good businessman. And I truthfully will probably vote for him again just because of that. I think really the root of what would make everybody in the country a lot more efficient would be tackling the economy. And I think he was very good, as far as that part of everything.
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
So my word was “inappropriate.” I have to agree with Gaylin, though. I would probably vote for him again because I do believe he’s a strong leader, a businessman. So he knows how to do what is right for our economy or to turn us in a better direction. He’s very inappropriate in his comments. But I didn’t vote for him to teach my child how to speak or how to be appropriate. That’s my job. I voted for him to run our country. So I would probably do that again.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
I have to agree with Melissa there. He did good for our country. I have to accept that. But I said “joke” because I’m from Puerto Rico and when he visited Puerto Rico to bring help after Hurricane Maria, he looked like a joke to everybody. He was just throwing towel paper, toilet paper, to the people just like a basketball: “Oh, here you go.” So to me, that was disrespectful. It was a joke. It has nothing to do with how good he did his job as a president. I think our economy was amazing when he was in. The military — my husband is military, so I really appreciated that.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Kathy, you said “pompous.”
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
I agree with everyone else as far as him being a fantastic businessman. And we need a strong person who understands how the economy works, not a puppet that’s going to be told, “Do this” or “Do that.” I still think he is pompous, but I can’t see myself voting for anyone else. I just hope we can surround him with enough people who can buffer him. I feel our weakest link is our economic issues. It’s a root for a lot of bad feelings, a lot of fear, a lot of tension. Both my children cannot afford to buy a house right now. It’s scary.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Krys, you said “vocal.” Has anything changed for you in the last four years?
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
About him? No. I wanted him four years ago. I would love to have him back. The reason why I said vocal is my first thought when he even decided to run for presidency, was, “It’s about time that we got somebody that had the cojones to stand up to other countries and let them know the crap they were putting towards us wasn’t right.” He was also vocal with the military and making sure that the military got exactly what they had been deserving. My son being a Marine — there was a big difference from when the president prior and when he came in on how they were treated. Trump is pompous. I agree 100 percent with that. Unfortunately, he could be crude. And that’s why I used the word “vocal.” I pray that he brings the economy back to where he had it when he was president.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
I wanted to follow up on something Uche said. I wondered if anyone else felt that President Trump, for whatever reason, lost your vote over the last four years.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I can’t say that I have decided not to vote for him, but I am very much on the fence. And it will be a very difficult decision for me. Because I agree with so many of you that have said he’s driven, he’s strong, he’s smart, he has a backbone, which are all true. But characteristics of leaders that we would want in our family and our community and our churches, such as character, integrity, humility, self-control — he is flat-out lacking severely in those. And that’s a scary place to be.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Traci, is there any memory from the last four years that really bothered you and is why you are on the fence now?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
It’s just a combination of it all. The crazy stuff on Twitter that he’s doing and just being so defensive and speaking over people, and to me, that’s kind of that little-man syndrome: “I got to act like a big badass because people are picking on me.” It’s been a long time since we’ve had a president who has really led our country from a sense of humility with strength and integrity.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
OK.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I don’t blame that just on the office. I blame that on our society, too.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Similar to Traci, I am on the fence. I did vote for him back in 2020. Most likely will again, just given the candidates as of now. But I think my defining moment was how he handled losing. He’s very confident. And I look for that in a president, being very confident, not willing to back down to help lead the country. However, he does need to know, to Traci’s point, how to do it with integrity. The way he handles some things, I would — if it were my children handling it the same way, we’d have a talking. So sometimes he needs to be reined in.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
I wanted to ask about the legal and court cases that President Trump is facing. What would you say is the most important issue or case for you?
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
This ongoing issue of classified documents. It’s come to be a little kind of childish.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
The Jan. 6 case.
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
I think just as a United States citizen, it’s always proven you’re innocent until proven guilty.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
He’s being persecuted. We’re living in a banana republic. All of these cases at one time — they’ve been working supposedly on them for six years or so, so they decide all at one time to do this? It’s the only way they’re going to take him out. In the past, we have assassinated presidents. Now we’re doing it politically. This is a coordinated attack.
If President Trump were to be convicted in the
current trial, would that make you less likely
to vote for him, make you more likely to vote for
him or make no difference to you in the fall? If President Trump were to be
convicted in the current trial,
would that make you less likely
to vote for him, make you more
likely to vote for him or make no
difference to you in the fall? Less likely Traci,
54, Mich., ind. More likely No one raised a hand. No difference Melissa,
43, Ariz., ind. Krys,
52, N.C., ind. Marjorie,
36, N.C., Rep. Teri,
44, Wis., ind. Gaylin,
31, Ga., ind. Kathy,
67, Ariz., ind. Uche,
25, Pa., ind. Rina,
69, Pa., Rep. Eva,
60, Nev., Rep. Glory,
27, Ga., Rep. Kathleen,
28, Ga., Rep.
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
The way I see it, I feel like when you’re in that type of position, all your skeletons are going to come out, right? Nobody has a perfect past. All of us here are probably old enough to have seen several presidents who have done things, either in office or before they came into office, that we wouldn’t want my husband doing that or my brother or my dad. So it doesn’t take away from him being able to run our country, is the way I see it.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
So for me, I would prefer somebody who is a little more well spoken and a little more family man, like President Obama. But as far as Donald Trump, I do — I think because he is in the position that he is in, like she said, his skeletons are going to come out. But even though he’s not exactly who I would want as my dad, my husband, all of this, as a leader in the position that he carries — in that, I like that he doesn’t really care about what anybody has to say or what anybody thinks and stuff. And I think, to some degree, he kind of says that himself when he talks about how he knows how to cheat the tax system. He’s kind of fighting the same battle as all of us. He’s just on a different level. I think it kind of speaks truth to the fact that at least he’s real about it and doesn’t try pretending he’s somebody else.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
How would you feel if President Trump won the presidency in November and then ordered the Justice Department to end the federal cases that he faces?
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Things like this happen behind closed doors many, many, many times. It’s like, “If you’re going to cheat on me, just tell me you were going to cheat on me,” right? You don’t have to lie about it. I’m sure there’s a lot of politicians that have had legal issues happen and they get swept under the rug.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Maybe the Justice Department could be doing stuff for the citizens of the United States of America than wasting time on all this stuff.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What qualities should Donald Trump look for when choosing a running mate?
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Somebody like Vivek. He’s cool. He’s logical. He doesn’t lose it. He’s a businessman. He’s successful. He’s personable. What’s not to like?
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
I would love for him to realize he needs to find somebody that he’ll actually listen to if they say, “Hey, you’re headed in the wrong direction.”
Glory, 27, Georgia, Republican, Black, nanny
He needs someone he can listen to. Someone with integrity that he can trust. Someone coolheaded. Someone that’s him without the Donald Trump factor.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
“Him without the Donald Trump factor” — I like that description. Melissa?
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
I agree with everybody. I think it’s somebody that is going to help him hold back a little bit in regards to just the inappropriateness but like-minded. Somebody who can help him in running the economy. A smart businessman is what we need.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I’d love to see him have a female running mate. I’d love to see him show the entire country and the world and me that he knows how to treat a female.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK. I want to change gears and talk about Joe Biden. If you’re thinking about Joe Biden, I want to hear what word comes to mind for you.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
It sounds so mean. And I don’t like to talk mean, but I want to say “idiot.”
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
Weak.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Incompetent.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Incompetent.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Wishy-washy.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Confused.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Traitor.
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Incompetence.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Lost.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Tired.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Gaylin, you said “incompetent.” Tell me a little bit about that.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
When he speaks, he seems so lost and confused. And you don’t feel the power in his speaking the way I felt like I felt when Donald Trump addressed the nation. It’s just not as firm or direct. It’s not even like he’s reading a script. It’s more just like he’s kind of blubbering through.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK. Teri, I know you said you didn’t want to say anything mean. There’s not really a positive spin on the word “idiot.” Tell me what makes that the word that comes to mind for you.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Trump was always confident in his speeches, very involved, fighting for his passion or very vocal, which could be good or bad, whereas Biden is very scripted. It’s basically what he’s being told to do, how he’s being told to do it. And he’s just like a little lost wanderer. I just feel that makes him look like an idiot because he’s not thinking on his own. He’s not thinking smartly.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Is there anything that he has done as president that you did like?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I think that he got rid of his German shepherd that was biting the security personnel. And that was good.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK. Dog stories can be memorable.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
If he can’t control a dog, how does he run a country?
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
He did delete some student loan debt. I know people who benefited from that, so that was good.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
I want to step back and talk about the 2024 election. What’s one word to describe how you’re feeling about this presidential election coming up?
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Afraid. I’m just afraid of what happened last time, taking days for an election. And we know what that is about.
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
Apprehensive. I’m skeptical and fearful, and it’s going to be close, and maybe people are going to get crazy.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
Hopeful.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Nervous.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Fearful.
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Fearful and nervous.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Hopeful.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Scared.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Nervous.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Over it.
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
Urgency.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Say more about “urgency.”
Melissa, 43, Arizona, independent, Latina, H.R. specialist
I believe that so many U.S. citizens are just tired of the way the last four years have gone. It’s going to put an urgency on many people who don’t normally go out and vote to actually vote this time.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Krys, you said “nervous.”
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
I’m nervous because of what happened the last time when he didn’t win. I’m nervous that he’s not going to win this year. Because I really think that we need him back. I’m nervous he’s not going to have the votes behind him.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Kathy, why “apprehensive”?
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
I’m not real confident in either side playing nice. Somebody has got to win, and somebody’s got to lose, but there’s going to be a lot of people that are unhappy.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I’m fearful of civil unrest, riots. Honestly, if my kids were adults, I’d be considering moving abroad.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Traci, who or what do you think would be responsible for unrest and riots?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I think it could be either side. If Trump wins, I think that there’s Biden supporters who would riot. And if Biden wins, I think there’s Trump supporters that would riot like we had on Jan. 6. And was Trump behind that? Was he aware of it? I don’t know. But either way, I think there’s so much divisiveness that it’s quite likely that we will have some civil unrest.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Do you think both Biden and Trump would approach that the same way? That they would each encourage their supporters to riot or each discourage their supporters to riot?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
I don’t know. I’m hoping that they will address it now as they are campaigning. I’m hoping that they will encourage their supporters to have some sort of sportsmanship.
Which is more important to you —
that a president be a strong leader or that a
president be a good and decent person? Which is more important to you
— that a president be a strong
leader or that a president be a good
and decent person? Strong leader Melissa,
43, Ariz., ind. Krys,
52, N.C., ind. Marjorie,
36, N.C., Rep. Teri,
44, Wis., ind. Gaylin,
31, Ga., ind. Kathy,
67, Ariz., ind. Rina,
69, Pa., Rep. Eva,
60, Nev., Rep. Glory,
27, Ga., Rep. Kathleen,
28, Ga., Rep. Decent person Traci,
54, Mich., ind. Uche,
25, Pa., ind.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
It sounds like a lot of you are voting for President Trump again or thinking about it. But are other people running — President Biden, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, Jill Stein, others — who you’re considering?
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
Kennedy. I’m impressed with some of his qualities. If the election was today, I’d probably do Trump. But he’s someone that I’m definitely taking a look at.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What are you drawn to about Kennedy?
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
It sounds cliché. But knowing that his relatives did very well — it piques my interest. I just started looking into him a little bit more.
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
I do like some of Robert Kennedy’s policies on medical freedom. And I know he’s pretty strong on the anti-vaccine movement. One of the reasons I know a lot of people vote Republican is because Republicans typically are a little more about medical freedom in that regard. So I like some of his policies on that and actually trying to hold vaccine manufacturers accountable, whereas right now they’re not really held accountable for anything that can come from vaccine injuries.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Has that affected you personally, Gaylin?
Gaylin, 31, Georgia, independent, white, stay-at-home mom
Yeah. I had a daughter that had a hard time with her vaccines, and it’s hard to find a doctor that will just let you space them and slow them down.
Glory, 27, Georgia, Republican, Black, nanny
I have tossed Kennedy around a bit, but I haven’t done enough research into policies.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Same. I don’t know enough about him yet to state whether I would lean in his direction.
Kathy, 67, Arizona, independent, white, retired
I became aware of Kennedy, and it’s more of an emotional response to see what he’s about. But the very first issue I read was his stand on abortion. It wasn’t what I wanted to see.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Traci and Uche, is there anything that President Biden could do or say in the next six months that would persuade you to vote for him?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
No.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
I would say never say never. I think it would have to do with what Trump does.
How many of you think Donald Trump is going
to win the election in November, and how many
of you think Joe Biden is going to win? How many of you think
Donald Trump is going to win
the election in November,
and how many of you think
Joe Biden is going to win? Trump will win Melissa,
43, Ariz., ind. Krys,
52, N.C., ind. Marjorie,
36, N.C., Rep. Teri,
44, Wis., ind. Gaylin,
31, Ga., ind. Kathy,
67, Ariz., ind. Uche,
25, Pa., ind. Rina,
69, Pa., Rep. Eva,
60, Nev., Rep. Glory,
27, Ga., Rep. Kathleen,
28, Ga., Rep. Biden will win Traci,
54, Mich., ind.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
I want to know: If you were in charge and you could choose anyone to run for president this year who is not running — they can be anyone — who do you choose to run?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Oprah Winfrey.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Why Oprah Winfrey?
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
She’s magnetic. She’s smart. She knows how to run a business. She has character. She’s not a pushover. And she’s not going to incite other countries to go to war with us.
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
Traci stole my idea, because I was going to say her, just because she’s a female and I think it will be so great to see a female as a president. But I also really like Kamala Harris. She would be amazing as a president.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What is it about Kamala Harris that you think would make her very good for this?
Marjorie, 36, North Carolina, Republican, Latina, service liaison
How she represents all of the females, how she speaks. You can see her presence. And just going that route of having a female president, I would love to be either Oprah, which will be my first option, or Kamala.
Eva, 60, Nevada, Republican, Latina, pet sitter
I was thinking Condoleezza Rice. She just carried herself well. She made sense. She was smart. I really liked her.
Rina, 69, Pennsylvania, Republican, white, semiretired
Yeah, and she wore pearls, so it was great.
Is it important that within the next decade, we have
a woman who is the president? Is it important that within the next decade, we have a woman who is the president? 6 people raised their hands.
Traci, 54, Mich., ind.
Melissa, 43, Ariz., ind.
Krys, 52, N.C., ind.
Marjorie, 36, N.C., Rep.
Teri, 44, Wis., ind.
Gaylin, 31, Ga., ind.
Kathy, 67, Ariz., ind.
Uche, 25, Pa., ind.
Rina, 69, Pa., Rep.
Eva, 60, Nev., Rep.
Glory, 27, Ga., Rep.
Kathleen, 28, Ga., Rep.
Teri, 44, Wisconsin, independent, white, systems analyst
I think women bring a different perspective. I’m not saying that the males aren’t doing a great job. But I look at Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris and their poise and how they’ve handled things with grace. I think they would do very well in representing the country. So it’d be interesting to see that perspective, especially when you’re talking about things such as women’s rights. I would love, love, love, love seeing the first female president. It would really show my girls that anything is possible.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
There’s aspects that women can bring to this that men can’t. Don’t get me wrong: There are some men out there. But there’s the compassion, there’s the integrity. We have strong values. We don’t have a problem speaking our mind, but we know how to speak it without — how can I put it? — somebody jump in and help me with this word.
Uche, 25, Pennsylvania, independent, Black, nanny
Compassion?
Kathleen, 28, Georgia, Republican, Latina, customer service
Compassionate?
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
Well, yeah. Yeah, we’re compassionate, but compassionate to a point where we’re not going to beat somebody down on purpose. We’re not going to throw them under the bus. Now, again, not all women are like that. But a strong woman is going to be for their country and for everybody and listen to everybody. And we, honestly, just have more common sense. And we can put two and two together without somebody having to write it down on a piece of paper and show us what we have to say. We’re built different.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
OK.
Krys, 52, North Carolina, independent, white, caretaker
It’s just really important to me that we prove it.
Traci, 54, Michigan, independent, white, case analyst
Women do innately have some different strengths than men do. I think having a male and a female vice president, president, whichever one is in which role — I think the combination is really good and healthy. I think it would be great for gender equality, for abortion rights. Women also probably have a stronger innate ability to defuse things verbally, whereas I see historically over the last 30 years that the men in the highest-level offices are just fighting over power and control. I worked a lot with law enforcement, and I’m retired in a different field now, but when women started becoming law enforcement officers, they changed up the game. And some of the women officers are the very best officers, because they know that their most powerful tool — of all the 30 pounds of stuff they’re carrying — is their mouth and how to talk their way through situations.
