One thing unusual occurred throughout our latest Occasions Opinion focus group, the 18th and ultimate one in all 2023. Once we requested the contributors (13 Democrats, Republicans and independents) how they felt in regards to the economic system, we didn’t hear the identical refrain of complaints that our different teams fairly constantly intoned all yr. Our contributors had been under no circumstances cheery, however a number of had been upbeat, and even the Trump voters within the group weren’t aggrieved in regards to the economic system — a lot in order that our focus group moderator, Frank Luntz, regarded just a little shocked and mentioned, “OK, this isn’t that dangerous. Actually, that is fairly good.”
Our intent with this focus group was to convey collectively individuals who voted for Joe Biden or Donald Trump in 2020 and discover areas the place they agreed or disagreed in regards to the yr we simply went by means of. The standard partisan divisions fell away in a number of locations: Along with seeing some upsides on the economic system, a number of of the Biden and Trump voters expressed concern about ongoing support to Ukraine, fear in regards to the U.S. border with Mexico and a need for Mr. Biden to not run for re-election. The group was extra divided over Israel and Gaza and over the prosecutions of Mr. Trump.
We requested what the contributors would say to Mr. Biden if he had been listening to the group. Angela, a 56-year-old Black girl from Califonia who supported him in 2020, mentioned, “Thanks on your a few years of service in politics. Go residence. Get pleasure from your spouse. Get pleasure from your life.” Sean, a 39-year-old white man from Georgia who voted for Mr. Biden final time, mentioned, “You bought to let any person else step in. He’s not going to have an excellent run at this level.”
Once we requested what they’d say to Mr. Trump, Betsy, a 42-year-old white girl from Colorado who backed him in 2020, mentioned, “Please bow out. You’re the very best get-out-the-vote machine for the Democratic Get together.” On the identical time, there have been extra Trump and Biden voters who mentioned at this level that they thought Mr. Trump would win in November than contributors who mentioned they thought Mr. Biden would win.
And requested what they thought the nation would appear like and be like in 2030, there was a mixture of optimism and pessimism, however the reactions didn’t break down strictly alongside partisan strains. The largest fear of all was not in regards to the nation’s politics however in regards to the well being of our tradition and the values of youthful Individuals.
Angela 56, Black, California, Biden 2020 voter, referral specialist
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Betsy 42, white, Colorado, Trump 2020 voter, medical gross sales
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Bobbie 63, Center Jap, Nevada, Biden 2020 voter, canine walker
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Chelsea 35, white, Arizona, Biden 2020 voter, stay-at-home mother
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Chris 59, Black, Michigan, Biden 2020 voter, electrical engineer
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Christian 24, Latino, D.C., Trump 2020 voter, social media supervisor
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Deborah 51, white, Tennessee, Biden 2020 voter, self-employed
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Joe 37, white, Arkansas, Trump 2020 voter, coverage analyst
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John 46, Asian/Pacific Islander, Ohio, Trump 2020 voter, well being care
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Marie 48, white, Illinois, Biden 2020 voter, assistant director of a nonprofit
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Matthew 62, white, Virginia, Biden 2020 voter, monetary planner
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Paul 62, white, Oregon, Biden 2020 voter, highschool instructor
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Sean 39, white, Georgia, Biden 2020 voter, photographer