Ah, America! The place where you can get a side of fries with your burger, and a helping of political drama with your voting intentions. Let’s dive into this delightful buffet of opinions served up by The Press, where the citizens of good ol’ USA share their thoughts on the upcoming 2024 elections. It’s so juicy, even a politician could learn a thing or two about honesty from it.
First up, we have Justin Barnes, a lawyer from Atlanta. He’s all about that “respect for everyone” mantra. Clearly, he’s not a fan of former President Donald Trump, citing that he can’t imagine such a non-respectful figure in the White House. Well, it’s harder to find a respectable figure in reality TV than it is in politics, but here we are! Barnes hopes Kamala Harris can usher in a new era—presumably one where presidents don’t treat verbal decorum like a pair of socks they can toss aside.
Then we meet Donna Radford-Dalton, a retired Air Force paramedic from Texas. Now, this lady isn’t pulling any punches, ladies and gentlemen! She claims that Donald Trump is a “domestic enemy.” A bit dramatic, don’t you think? But then again, when you’re wrestling with the Constitution and living through an insurrection, maybe ‘drama’ is in the job description. And her remark about Trump’s, erm, “self-confessed grabbing,” is not something you see every day at a political rally. I mean, if you’re using that as your defense in court, you might as well bring snacks.
Next, we have our tragically young voter, Ezra Franseth, 18 years old and ready to save democracy like it’s a cat stuck in a tree. This student definitely comes with enthusiasm, stating that Harris might turn the page to bring America back to “normal.” But let’s face it, normal hasn’t exactly been a trending topic since 2016.
Then there’s Scott Rhode from Atlanta, feeling the pinch at grocery stores. He’s distressing over the rising costs—inflation has him sweating more than a sinner in church! He stands by the notion that Trump is a better bet economically, which is a classic case of playing the “cost-of-living” card. But let’s be real, Scott—Trump’s record seems to be as fuzzy as your grandmother’s old couch.
Elizabeth Grout, a delivery driver from Texas, ultimately finds herself in a family feud: Mom is Mexican and hates Trump, while Pops, the border agent, is all in. She’s got the weight of familial loyalty on her back while also being deeply troubled by taxes going to “illegals.” I mean, it’s a good tension; it’s like Thanksgiving dinner where everyone just stares at the turkey, waiting for it to suddenly start quacking.
Finally, we meet Barry Draper, a retired firefighter who seems to have hit the “Confused Voter” jackpot. Voting for Trump after previously backing the Dems? That’s like being in a short-lived love affair with an ex before diving back into the dysfunctional relationship with your long-term partner. His crux revolves around two pillars: immigration and economy. I don’t know what Trump has done to the economy, but it’s surely got everyone talking—kind of like a celebrity who hasn’t paid their taxes or worse, got caught in a scandal.
In conclusion, this survey of opinions shows that American voters are wrestling with some pretty heavy issues, armed with their hopes, dreams, and a few more than casual grievances towards politicians. It’s a rich tapestry of democracy—just don’t expect it to be beautifully woven! As we head toward 2024, let’s brace ourselves for more popcorn-worthy moments from the grand stage of American politics, folks. So whether you’re Team Harris or Trump, one thing’s for sure: the political popcorn sales are about to skyrocket!
The Press went to meet voters in the United States to find out their voting intentions.
Published at 0:00
Justin Barnes
PHOTO RICHARD HÉTU, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Justin Barnes
43 ans
Lawyer
Atlanta (Georgia)
2024 : Kamala Harris
“Respect for everyone and the presence of a respectful president in the White House, that is what guides my choice. I feel like Donald Trump is not a respectful person. As a father of three daughters, I can’t imagine someone like Donald Trump in the White House. I hope Kamala Harris can bring people together. »
Comments collected by Richard Hétu, special collaboration
Donna Radford-Dalton
PHOTO RICHARD HÉTU, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Donna Radford-Dalton
58 ans
Retired United States Air Force paramedic
Joshua (Texas)
2024 : Kamala Harris
“I am a military veteran who took an oath to the Constitution of the United States of America to defend it against all enemies, without and within. I believe Donald Trump is a domestic enemy of the United States of America. Let’s think about the insurrection he fomented. Let’s think about all his various crimes. He is a self-confessed grabber of women’s genitals. To me, that is disqualifying in itself. And what he did recently, lying about immigrants, is shameful. I am ready to turn the page, as Kamala says, and close the door to the racism that drives her campaign. »
Comments collected by Richard Hétu, special collaboration
Ezra Franseth
PHOTO ALEXANDRE SIROIS, THE PRESS
Ezra Franseth
18 ans
Education student
Petoskey (Michigan)
2024 : Kamala Harris
A student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, Ezra Franseth is particularly concerned about polarization on American soil and the fate of democracy. This is why he plans to vote for Kamala Harris. “She will try to turn the page on the last few years to allow us to return to normality,” he says. She seems to have a plan to put the divisions of the last election behind us. »
Comments collected by Alexandre Sirois, The Press
Scott Rhode
PHOTO RICHARD HÉTU, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Scott Rhode
49 ans
Retirement
Atlanta (Georgia)
2024 : Donald Trump
“I’m voting for Donald Trump because my grocery bill has increased 30% since 2020. I can’t risk inflation increasing 30% again in the next four years. During the four years Trump was in the White House, inflation rose only 9%. It has increased by 9% per year under the current administration. »
Comments collected by Richard Hétu, special collaboration
Elizabeth Grout
PHOTO RICHARD HÉTU, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Elizabeth Grout
35 ans
Delivery driver for United Parcel Service
Laredo (Texas)
2024 : Donald Trump
“Politics is a sensitive subject in my family. My mother is of Mexican origin, and she hates Donald Trump like no other. My father, who is a border agent, votes for Donald Trump, like me. I don’t expect him to solve all of the country’s economic problems during his term. I expect him to lay the groundwork for my nieces’ generation, for future generations. He was excellent at managing the economy during his tenure in the White House. I pay a lot of tax every year and it makes me sick to see how much stuff is given to people who come to the country illegally. This bothers me a lot. »
Comments collected by Richard Hétu, special collaboration
Barry Draper
PHOTO ALEXANDRE SIROIS, THE PRESS
Barry Draper
59 ans
Retired firefighter
Nashville (Tennessee)
2024 : Donald Trump
There are voters who voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, Joe Biden in 2020 and who will vote in 2024 for… Donald Trump. This is the case of Barry Draper, a retiree who is now an Uber driver and independent voter. Why does he prefer the Republican candidate this time to his Democratic rival? The answer can be summed up in two words: “immigration” and “economy”. “The economy is not doing well in the United States, and Kamala Harris doesn’t really have a plan. I think Trump would do a better job as president,” he said.
Comments collected by Alexandre Sirois, The Press
