On Tuesday, Elise Jordan, an MSNBC political analyst and former George W. Bush administration staffer, sat down with voters in the battleground state of Wisconsin.
The Badger State has played a pivotal role in deciding the last two presidential elections. In 2016, Donald Trump became the first Republican to win Wisconsin since 1984, defeating Hillary Clinton by almost 23,000 votes.
In 2020, Joe Biden turned the state back to blue, beating Trump by a similar margin.
Ahead of the 2024 election, Jordan spoke with two voting blocs that could help move the margin in either candidate’s direction: female Trump supporters and right-leaning swing voters.
“Everyone is excited about her and that scares me,” one voter shared.
Jordan, who was just in Wisconsin last month conducting similar focus groups, said she was shocked at the burst of energy Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy had injected into the race — among both Trump supporters and swing voters.
The group of Trump supporters told Jordan they feared the Democratic ticket shake-up could lower Trump’s chances of retaking the White House, since they believe Harris could motivate young, minority and female voters to head to the polls.
“Everyone is excited about her, and that scares me,” one voter shared.
Asked how they view Harris’ competence and experience compared to Biden, voters said they saw the vice president as worse.
One woman called out Harris for her role in the administration’s immigration policy: “She doesn’t even know what’s going on at the border, and that’s what she was supposed to be in charge of? I mean, as a schoolteacher, if I didn’t do what I was supposed to be doing, you better believe my job would be in jeopardy.”
Another voter took aim at Harris’ intelligence, calling her an “idiot” and “not real smart.”
The voters also expressed doubt over the possible election outcome. Asked whether a Harris victory in November would be an “honest result,” the entire group shook their heads at Jordan.
As for right-leaning swing voters, the group said they had concerns about both Harris and Trump. One voter told Jordan she was open to voting for Harris but felt “uneasy” over how much the vice president may have known about Biden’s mental and physical fitness. She said if Harris was “willing to hide that type of information” about Biden, “what she’s willing to hide for herself?” As for their views of the former president, a voter told Jordan she couldn’t ignore Trump’s criminal convictions. She also had issues with his integrity and moral character, suggesting Trump could use the office to “retaliate” against his enemies. Another voter voiced shared concern over Trump’s “making too aggressive of choices” and acting out of impulse. Another voter voiced shared concern over Trump’s “making too aggressive of choices” and acting out of impulse. However, she also worried Harris could be too cautious in responding to threats and make the U.S. appear “weak.” One swing voter had a message for both candidates: “It would just be nice if they concentrate more on the issues instead of the mudslinging and personal attacks. … Let’s try to find that common ground where we can agree on things. Let’s start with that.”
Allison Detzel is an editor/producer for MS NOW.
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