2 weeks Ago By The New York Times
Until President Joe Biden dropped his bid for reelection, a large share of voters were unhappy with their choices for president. Today, the electorate as a whole is happier, but the uncommitted voters are still not, according to recent polling by The New York Times and Siena College in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. They trust neither former President Donald Trump nor Vice President Kamala Harris.
They question the candidates’ honesty and ethics. These voters are younger than the electorate overall, less educated and have a lower income. They are much more likely than voters overall to be Black or Latino, and a little more likely to be men.
Some of these voters may just stay home, but a meaningful portion of them will probably vote. And in a close election, they could be the deciding factor. In trying to understand what is holding them back from committing, we asked voters to tell us in their own words about their worries.
Their phrases were telling: “being a bully,” “she’s an idiot.” In many ways, their words suggest that voters know, and perhaps have become inured to, Donald Trump’s slash-and-burn campaign style and personality. But with Kamala Harris, who was plunged into the race only in July, their fears are wider ranging — encompassing both character and the issues, like the economy.
And for some voters, the historic nature of her candidacy presents not progress but a drawback. * * * Concern about Trump: “He’s made people comfortable with being racist and set the country back 50 years with racism.” Concern about Harris: “She’s a liar and it feels like she hasn’t done anything she said she was going to do.
” — Concern about Trump: “Don’t like his rhetoric, how he speaks to people.” Concern about Harris: “Incompetent, no experience in foreign policy or running the government; also has no opinions except on abortion.” — Concern about Trump: “Too extreme.
” Concern about Harris: “I don’t know much about her, but I’m unsure about how prepared she is to be president.” — Concern about Trump: “Having the right to control my own body.” Concern about Harris: “Immigration and inflation.
” — Concern about Trump: “Arrogance.” Concern about Harris: “She’s a woman and not sure if a woman should be running.” — Concern about Trump: “Has felonies on his record.
” Concern about Harris: “Don’t know much about her policy.” — Concern about Trump: “I don’t trust him.” Concern about Harris: “I don’t trust her.
” * * * Related Story: They said he is arrogant or erratic and talks too much. They talked about his age or criminal trials. The words boiled down to concerns about the former president’s personality and honesty.
Even voters who said they were leaning toward Trump mentioned concerns about chaos and dysfunction. A small but notable share were also concerned, specifically, about his ability to carry out and complete the tasks of president, mentioning his age and mental capacity. — “Angered easily.
” — “Being a bully towards other nations.” “He is erratic, not very well-spoken and lies.” “Him staying off the internet.
” — “Being presidential, sense of decorum, way he communicates.” “Does not know when to shut up.” “His age.
” Related Story: even though Trump has crossed all kinds of red lines during his campaign, voters used comparatively mild language in describing their doubts about him. Words like “a bit” and “a little” crept in frequently. — “Little power hungry.
” “His authoritative tendencies.” “Probably his rhetoric, maybe, and how he presents himself. And the debate was kind of rough.
” “Bit decisive at times. He doesn’t always say the right things.” “I wish he could be a little more presidential.
” “He might become too emotional when making decisions.” * * * Related Story: For Kamala Harris, voters’ anxieties were broader and more complicated. Although qualms about her personality came up less often than with Trump, trustworthiness and honesty were still big question marks for many voters.
So was her ability to handle the economy. Voters specifically mentioned costs and inflation, a persistent concern among undecided and not fully decided voters over the last few months. — “She will make the economy worse than it is.
” “That she’s like every other politician, that she is not going to actually do anything to help us.” “Bring down the price of groceries and housing.” “How she would handle the economy.
” “Too liberal.” “Not following through.” “The people didn’t vote for her; she was appointed.
That is not democracy.” “Democrats take the African American vote for granted. Not sure her policies are going to benefit African Americans.
” — her abilities and wondered if she was ready for the job. Some voters described her with caustic language, which echoes Trump’s, who called her “mentally disabled” and “mentally impaired.” Harris has not leaned into the historical nature of her candidacy — she would be the first woman of color to be president.
For some of these voters, her background may be a challenge. Some voters used language that was outright sexist. — “That she’s not intelligent enough to be president.
I think she is an idiot.” “I don’t think she’s got it all together.” “Overall untrustworthy.
” “She’s a woman. I’m not sure she can get the job done. People probably won’t listen to her.
” “She’s a lady.” – This article originally appeared in . By Ruth Igielnik and Christine Zhang c.
2024 The New York Times Company.
