What comes to mind when you think of Herschel Walker?
What comes to
mind when you think of
Herschel Walker?
“Fraud”
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black
“Mistake”
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white
“Great football player”
Don,
66, independent, white
The Georgia Senate election next week is one of the most pivotal in the country: The outcome could determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the Senate for the next two years. It will also be revealing about the mood and outlook of Georgia voters, who flipped the chamber for the Democrats in 2021 and will be highly coveted in the next presidential race.
We held a focus group this month with 10 suburban voters in Georgia, representing a mix of parties and backgrounds, to understand the issues most important to them and how they are weighing not just the races for Senate and governor but also the tradeoffs — the moral character of the candidates versus partisan loyalty and control of the Senate versus candidates they can stomach.
What was most striking was the deep ambivalence among several voters about the Republican Senate candidate, Herschel Walker, the former Georgia football star who has been strongly endorsed by President Donald Trump but has been weighed down by personal controversies and weak political skills. Some voters said they would vote for other Republicans on the ballot but not Mr. Walker — unless the race goes to a runoff and Republicans need the seat to retake the Senate.
That ends-justify-the-means mentality reflected frustration among many of the voters (including among some Democrats) with President Biden and on issues like the economy, immigration and crime. They wanted change in Washington, and some were less concerned with Mr. Walker’s character than with the country’s direction. It’s worth noting that the voters (including several conservatives) also seemed eager to move on from Mr. Trump and his brand of politics, with many praising Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, who is up for re-election next week against Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee.
If Democrats want to carry Georgia again in the 2024 presidential race, it’s clear from these voters that stricter approaches to government spending, crime and immigration might be necessary.
Participants
Angela
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Ben
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Blake
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
Christy
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Don
66, independent, white, supply manager
Gabe
22, independent, Black, construction
Russ
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Scott
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Tom
37, independent, white, consultant
Xaveria
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Transcript
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What’s going on in Georgia that makes you feel happy these days?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Fall weather and college football.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Definitely college football.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Excellent. Anything else good?
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
The construction. Where I’m from in Ohio, the city still looks the same from 15 years ago. But they’re always adding new things to Georgia.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What about the flip side? Is there anything that makes you concerned about Georgia?
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Crime. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that. It could be broad daylight, early morning. It’s just really getting bad.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Mine’s the infrastructure problems. They’re about to close up part of 285 right now, which is a main artery for Atlanta. Getting from place to place is a big challenge.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
There’s just kind of a big divide. I’m right between rural and urban. If I go 30 miles south, I’m in Atlanta. If I go 30 miles north, I’m in the rural areas. And there are two very different groups of people who do not get each other.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What are the things they most don’t get about each other?
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
General beliefs. What they think is good for the future. What they think is good for their kids.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Speaking of divides, let’s talk a bit about politics. What one word comes to mind first when you hear the phrase “the Republican Party”?
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Conservative.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Conservative, for sure.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
Conservative.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Majority.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Polarized.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Conservative.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Unity.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Consistent.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Trump.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Well, I was going to say “conservative,” but that’s what everybody said. So I’m going to say “fiscally responsible.”
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Several people used the word “conservative.” Could you say a little more about what that means to you?
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
It’s more of a moderate belief system. We don’t automatically jump in just because it’s what the popular belief is. It’s very calm. “Stagnant” may be a — that’s the word that came to mind, but that may not be the word we want.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
“Traditional” might be a word. Maybe “traditional values”?
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Traditional. Yes.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Xaveria, you said “consistent.”
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
When I hear Republicans talk, it’s pretty much the same belief system over time, mainly from a traditional standpoint.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
How do you feel about that?
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Well, I appreciate the consistency because at least I know what I’m dealing with. Other parties, I sometimes feel that they are inconsistent, that they change with the issues that are trendy at the time.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Tom, you said “Trump.”
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I just think it’s hard to talk about Republicans without talking about Trump. It’s created a lot of really intense viewpoints in the party. And to be honest, here it’s kind of difficult sometimes to have conversations with neighbors and things like that, because they just go to Trump talking points. A couple of years before, it wasn’t like this.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
And Tom, what you said earlier about that kind of rural-urban divide, with Trump, there’s just such a strong correlation with where you stand on him and you are geographically. It’s a stereotype, but I think there’s a lot to be said for the stereotype, right?
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What one word comes to mind when you hear the phrase “the Democratic Party”?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
“Progessive,” but I don’t agree with the term.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Far left.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
“Liberal,” but not necessarily in the traditional sense.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Liberal.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Unity.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Abortion.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Disorganized.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Drama.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Progressive.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
Hypocritical.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Blake, why “hypocritical”?
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
You have thousands upon thousands of immigrants coming across the border daily. Democrats want to grant them safe passage, but when they’re brought up to Democratic neighborhoods, they don’t want them there.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
And Angela, you said “abortion.”
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
It is a factor really close to my heart. There’s got to be a middle ground. One party wants abortions for all as birth control, it seems like. And then the other one is like, “No, not even if you’re dying, you can’t have one.”
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
I want to talk about some of the issues in this election cycle. What issue is most weighing on your mind?
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Inflation. Being able to have a comfortable quality of life. My wages aren’t matching the inflation.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Scott, what’s the issue most on your mind?
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Polarization. The folks that are more moderate or in the middle, like myself, are getting squelched out. Our opinions really aren’t being asked or get shouted down, or we don’t feel comfortable expressing them, because there is a consensus out there that this is the right way to think, versus being able to compromise some way in the middle to be able to get some stuff done.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
The war that’s going on is getting worse and worse. Major crimes are up. It is crazy everywhere.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
All right. Blake?
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
Back to the point of inflation, a lot of it has to do with their excessive spending. We’re spending a lot more money than we can even afford to print. And the war with Ukraine. I understand why we’re supporting them. But the fact that we’re continuously shoveling out money that we don’t even have for ourselves — it’s making it harder on everyone else in the U.S.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Christy, how about you?
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Crime and inflation are the two biggest concerns for me.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
I want to go through a couple of issues that are often discussed in the news and in political campaigns. And for each one, I’m going to ask you to raise your hands to show which part you prefer on a particular issue
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Let’s with start crime and safety. How many of you say that if you had to choose, you lean toward supporting or agreeing with Republicans more on the issue of crime and safety? [Six participants raise a hand.] How many of you agree a little bit more with Democrats on an issue like crime and safety? [Three participants raise a hand.]
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Tom, tell me a little bit about why you agree more with Democrats on this issue.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I work a lot with communities and police in the Atlanta metro area. And I think that the Democratic approach is more to find ways to build up relationships with communities. Both parties do a bit of that. But I think that there is some push from the Republican Party to show a toughness on crime that doesn’t actually address, prevent and help solve crime.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
I agree with the Republican Party more on crime and safety. If people are not punished for the acts appropriately, then they’re just going to repeat their illegal acts.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
I’d also have to go more towards the Republicans. And more people are mentally challenged nowadays. If you don’t reach out and get people what they need, they’re more liable to do it again.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
How many of you would say you tend to agree with Republicans more when it comes to the issue of the economy? [Five participants raise a hand.] How many of you agree more with the Democrats on the issue of the economy? [Four participants raise a hand.]
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
I think the Democrats are more big government, big spending. We’d heard about this transitory inflation the past 18 months, which was a total lie. They knew that wasn’t the case. And they kept spending and just passed another Inflation Reduction Act, which is absurd. Another almost trillion-dollar bill.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
We can’t keep handing out free money. We need to pull it back, even to other nations, or we’re going to crash.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
I lean towards the Republicans to get things going that are permanent fixes. I feel like stimulus checks are all temporary fixes.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Tom, you chose the other side. Tell me a little about that.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Things aren’t great right now with inflation. Definitely agree with a lot of the viewpoints that are expressing that. But I think, overall, the Democrats have better approaches to how to fiscally run a country. There is some spending involved in that. But policies of the Republican Party have consistently not worked, whether that was the idea of trickle down with Reagan, tax cuts for certain wealthier people under Bush, a lot of different approaches under Trump.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
I think the Democratic Party clearly doesn’t abide by the fundamental concept of not spending more than you have. That’s a concept that is a foreign idea to most — not all — but to most Democrats. Unfortunately, a fair number of Republicans, as well.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Immigration. Raise your hand if you think you lean more toward the Republican Party on the issue of immigration. [Five participants raise a hand.] Now raise your hand if you are leaning more toward the Democratic Party on the issue of immigration. [Four participants raise a hand.]
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
We’re already overpopulated. We need to focus on the American people first. And the people that can come in legally and attain citizenship, then by all means, let them. But housing 40,000 to 50,000 refugees at a time, that’s not something we can even do for ourselves.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
I definitely will look at it from a Democratic standpoint. You just see so many people that are trying to get from areas of poverty and really just trying to make a life. And although it should be restricted, there should be some type of leeway.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
I’m kind of in the middle. There’s definitely not enough money for people just to come here for free. But if you can work your way and get here legally, then I don’t see no problem.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
The next issue that I have on my list is the issue of abortion. How many of you lean a little bit more toward the Republican Party on this issue? [One participant raises a hand.] How many of you would say you lean a little more toward the Democrats on this issue? [Six participants raise a hand.]
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Well, I’m pro-choice up to a point in time. After a certain point, it should become an illegal act. I’d like to see a reasonable compromise, a kind of hybrid view.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
The Republicans I see have a really hard stop, even if it’s like a medical or health issue. They believe in no abortions at all. So I’m just pro-choice at this point.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
I’m kind of right where Russ is. There is a time in the beginning, in the first couple of trimesters, where it might be a viable option. As it starts getting to that last trimester, it starts getting repulsive. I’m sorry. It just gets to that place. So it may be 15 weeks or maybe 24 weeks, whatever it is. but there needs to be some kind of line, with exceptions for life of the mother and rape, incest, all the other things that go along with it.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Angela, I know you mentioned this issue before as one that was particularly important to you.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
I was not able to conceive. And so, thankfully, the birth mother of my child was pro-life, and I was able to adopt him. So this is very close to my heart. I understand that there are life-threatening issues, yes. Save the mom, and especially if she’s got other children, of course. But there’s got to be another way. There’s got to be another way.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
As you all know, there’s an election coming up. What have you seen, read or heard about this race for governor between Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams? Is there anything in terms of an advertisement, a news story, anything that is particularly sticking out in your mind about this race?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Most people want to hear about the issues and how the candidates stand on the issues. And most of the ads aren’t about that.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
They’re all smear campaigns. That’s all it is.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Do you think Brian Kemp has done a good job as governor?
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
It’s just, during the whole pandemic and previous 11 years, I was driving a school bus here in Johns Creek, to the schools, and he got those schools open. And he didn’t listen to some of the folks — no offense, Trump supporters — and went ahead and got the state back growing and the economy growing. He just did an outstanding job in the face of a lot of adversity.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
When it came to the pandemic and his stance on opening up everything — considering that so many people got sick due to Covid and were dying, at that point, it was just way too soon. And then to tell people, “Oh, no masks, either,” on top of that, it is almost like, “Oh, well, does he really care?”
Moderator, Patrick Healy
So Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp ran against each other in the 2018 race for governor, as well. And in that race, Stacey Abrams did not concede to Brian Kemp after the votes were counted. She said, “Concession means to acknowledge an action as right, true or proper. As a woman of conscience and faith, I cannot concede.” I’m curious how, if at all, did that shape your view of Stacey Abrams — her decision not to concede to Brian Kemp?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
It sounds very similar to the whole Trump fraudulent set of claims. But it hasn’t been covered by the media in that same way. So most people don’t even know about it, frankly.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
I didn’t have a positive view of her before. And that just made it even worse. It was kind of like a Trump deal. Come on. You lost.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I don’t love how she phrased it, but I totally agree with the sentiment of it. I don’t think anybody knows voting in Georgia better than Stacey.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Another question. Brian Kemp voted for Donald Trump and says he still supports him. But the feeling isn’t exactly mutual, as Kemp has taken a lot of criticism from Trump. Because after the 2020 presidential election, Kemp would not push for an overturning of Georgia’s results. How, if at all, has that shaped your view of Kemp?
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Even though I’m not a big fan of Kemp, standing his ground and not being used as a puppet definitely makes a big difference. So I have a little more respect for him.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
I’m indifferent. I mean, I appreciate the fact that he holds his belief. And the whole thing about Trump losing the election — he lost. But as far as voting for Kemp, it always seems with politics like you’re picking the lesser of two evils.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Will you vote for Brian Kemp in the race for governor? [Four participants raise a hand.]
Will you vote for Stacey Abrams
in the race for governor?
Will you vote for
Stacey Abrams in the
race for governor?
5 people raised their hands.
Angela, 41, leans Republican, white
Ben, 52, Democrat, Black
Blake, 26, leans Republican, white
Christy, 36, Democrat, Black
Don, 66, independent, white
Gabe, 22, independent, Black
Russ, 60, leans Republican, white
Scott, 61, leans Republican, white
Tom, 37, independent, white
Xaveria, 41, Republican, Black
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
I want to read two statements. And I’d like to know which statement each of you think you lean toward more. You might not fully agree with either statement, and that’s OK. But if you had to choose one, which would it be?
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
So the two statements are “I would rather vote for someone I agree with on important political issues, even if I don’t think they are a person of good moral character,” versus “I would rather vote for someone I think has good moral character, even if I don’t agree with them on a lot of important political issues.” Who agrees more with Option 1? [Two participants raise a hand.] Who agrees more with Option 2? [Seven participants raise a hand.]
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
I think it’s more important for the country that you get someone to vote the way you think they should vote, rather than a moral character. Moral character is not going to affect my life. The way a person votes is going to affect it.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Christy, you came down on the other side of this question. Tell me a little bit about why.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
I just feel that when someone leads with morals, their thought process has greater integrity.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
If I were hiring someone, or anybody in my personal life, you’d always lean toward the morals. I think everybody would. But the challenge here is from a history standpoint. If you actually look at the facts of history, it would strongly suggest that some of our most influential, impactful political leaders — people like F.D.R., John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton — these are some very impactful, very effective presidents who had absolutely some of the complicated moral characters.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I was thinking just about my own voting track record. I liked Obama a lot. I voted for him twice. But I didn’t vote for Hillary Clinton. I think that she just didn’t have moral character. I didn’t vote for Donald Trump, either. I voted third party. But that was a big part of it. I didn’t think, morally, she was up to the task. And I see that kind of play out a lot across different races.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
The Senate is currently split pretty evenly between Republicans and Democrats. There are many seats up for election this year, but it’s possible that control of the Senate will come down to Georgia. Before we discuss the candidates, I’d like to ask for a show of hands.
Does it matter to you if the Senate
is controlled by a Republican majority
or a Democratic majority?
Does it matter to you
if the Senate is controlled
by a Republican
majority or a Democratic
majority?
7 people raised their hands.
Angela, 41, leans Republican, white
Ben, 52, Democrat, Black
Blake, 26, leans Republican, white
Christy, 36, Democrat, Black
Don, 66, independent, white
Gabe, 22, independent, Black
Russ, 60, leans Republican, white
Scott, 61, leans Republican, white
Tom, 37, independent, white
Xaveria, 41, Republican, Black
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Honestly, I’m not sure that it matters. I have conspiracy theorist ideas about how things get passed and how things get pushed through. The things that certain people want passed are going to get passed, no matter Republican or Democrat.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
It’s a three-headed monster in Washington. And if you control more of the three heads than the other party, you’re going to get more of your own way.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Well hopefully, if Republicans take control, the economy will get better, and my I.R.A., my retirement account, will get better. Hopefully, the borders will be secure. Hopefully, my trips into Atlanta and around will be safer. So that’s what I’m hoping for.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Frankly, I don’t think there’s going to be enough of a majority to actually get anything done. Best case scenario, maybe a 51-49 split for Republicans. And worst case, it will be about what it is now. And frankly, a lot of the social issues don’t really affect my life. I’m pretty old. I don’t really have problems. I support the choice, but it doesn’t impact my life. I am a gun owner. I enjoy being able to have my own carry. But I don’t think it’s going to make any changes. Because simply, I don’t think there’s going to be enough momentum on either party to get anything done. It’ll be gridlock.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
I think about the economy, hoping that the stock market will be better. I am a little concerned about the student loan situation. I’m a part of that forgiveness, and I know the Republicans aren’t promoting that. So I kind of see some negative and some positive.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
But you think if Republicans take over the Senate, that might improve your kind of economic situation?
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Yes, especially with the stock market.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Let’s dig in a little bit more on this election for Senate. So this is the race between the current senator Raphael Warnock and, most prominently, Herschel Walker. Is there anything else that sticks out in anyone’s mind regarding this contest?
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
When they first played that ad about Herschel Walker and his wife, I just thought — I just thought that was out of pocket, as soon as I seen it. I didn’t know they were playing like that.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
When you say “that ad,” which ad are you talking about?
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
I think it’s on YouTube, where Herschel Walker attacked his wife with a knife. He admitted to this and that. I always skip past the ad, because it’s like, “Why are you putting this man’s criminal history on an ad for politics?”
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Did that ad change your view of Herschel Walker? Or did it change your view of the people running the ad?
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Probably the people running the ad, showing how far they’re willing to go. I mean, Herschel Walker was a football player. And C.T.E. is real. So I don’t really think that would affect my opinion towards him.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
I’m going to go ahead and make a prediction. Herschel Walker is going to win. Those Republicans are — they want that seat at all costs. They don’t care. They don’t care what he’s done, what he’s thinking of doing, nothing. I mean, clearly, this man is impersonating a police officer. So yeah, they really want that seat pretty bad.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
I can’t believe I’m saying, as a University of Tennessee guy, that I’m going to vote for a University of Georgia guy. But I think it’s imperative for the Republican Party to win this seat.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
[LAUGHS.] Yeah.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What is one word that comes to mind when you think about Senator Raphael Warnock?
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Willingness.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Respectable.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Experience.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Biden.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Socialist.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Religious.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Trustworthy.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Unproven.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Reasonable.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
Misleading.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
What do you think he has been misleading about?
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
If you watched the debate, every time they went to him with a question, he would inadvertently dodge the actual answer with something completely off topic, irrelevant. I mean, all of his votes have been toward spending more money. He puts on a front. And I don’t think he’s exactly who he tries to paint himself out to be.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Christy, tell me why you said “reasonable.”
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
He’s very open. It’s almost like, as if you meet him, you can bring up a specific topic and he’s understanding. Or he will attempt to understand. He will reason with you or try to find a way to.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Scott, you said “unproven.”
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
He came in on a special election. So the track record has been pretty much aligned with the party. To me, that doesn’t show any willingness to work across the aisle, to try to do any compromise, try to get anything done.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Let’s go ahead and do the same exercise, but this time with Herschel Walker. One word for each of you about what comes to mind when you think of Herschel Walker.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Oh, yeah. He’s — whoo! I almost said something. Yeah, he’s a puppet. A puppet.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Lack of character.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Competitive.
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
Fraud.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Joke.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Mental.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Mistake.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
I thought “football,” but I’ll go with “competitive” also.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Great football player.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
The only other option. There’s not much picking.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Russ. Tell me why “mistake”?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
I think it was a mistake of the Republican Party to nominate Herschel Walker. He’s an extremely good football player, but he’s an extremely poor candidate for a senatorial position. And I think most anyone would recognize that. But I think, as Blake said, he represents the alternative to Warnock. So it sort of depends on what side you’re on with this.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Now, Russ, throughout this group, you’ve had some views that were a little bit more positive about the Republican side of things but not on every issue. I believe you were one of my respondents who said you were planning to vote for Kemp for governor. Can you imagine yourself splitting your ticket on this one and not voting for the Republican for the Senate contest?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
I could imagine myself not voting for Herschel Walker. I can’t imagine myself voting for Warnock, though. So that’s kind of where I stand on the senatorial piece. He’s just a very, very bad senatorial candidate. You know, senatorial candidates should be people with a certain amount of intelligence, worldliness, global knowledge. The list goes on and on. And he has literally none of those traits.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
It’ll be the “none of the above” option for me. Unfortunately, the third party is even as bad as the rest of them. So I’m going to leave that spot blank.
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
You’re right, Scott. I looked at the third party. I thought, “I can’t do that, either.”
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
In Georgia, as you all may know, if no candidate gets to 50 percent, then there is a runoff. There’s going to be a lot of pressure on Georgia voters to go back out and vote, even if there’s only two choices. In that case, would you just stay home?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Well, no, at that point we’ll have more knowledge of how the other senatorial races shook out. So we’ll at least know what impact, from a national senatorial control standpoint, this particular vote will have. Right now, we know it probably matters, but we don’t know for sure how much it matters. But if we had a runoff, we’ll know.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
So if Georgia was going to decide control of the Senate and there was a runoff, would you go out and hold your nose and vote for this candidate you’ve just said a bunch of critical stuff about if it meant giving Republicans control of the Senate?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Yes.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Yes.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
Scott, you’re a yes?
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Yes. I’d have to hold my nose really hard, but —
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
All right. Ben, I have to talk to you because you are shaking your head. I need to know what you’re thinking.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
“Who cares what this man represents? Who cares what he’s done? Who cares if he has mental issues? We need the seat.” That’s what the Republicans say. That’s crazy!
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
A couple of questions ago, you asked, “Would you rather vote for someone that you agree with politically but don’t agree with their moral characteristics?” This is what that situation is. I would rather have the backing that he’ll give than vote for someone that I don’t agree with on absolutely anything. You know, and again, it just boils down to picking the lesser of two evils. I think both candidates are terrible options.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
I intend to vote for Warnock. I feel like he’s got experience. I don’t understand where the Republican Party is coming from with Herschel Walker. It doesn’t make sense to me. But I also intend to vote for Stacey Abrams. I tend to be Republican, but this time I’m leaning Democrat a little bit.
Moderator, Kristen Soltis Anderson
And is there a particular reason why you’re leaning Democrat a little bit?
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
I just like their fervor. I like their energy. I like the way they go after their platform and they’re like, “This is what we believe in.”
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
I’m going to probably tie down to Warnock. I just don’t feel safe with Herschel Walker. And I’m not really pleased with Kemp, so I’ll most likely go with Stacey Abrams. Although I generally am Republican. It’s just I’m more leaning towards them because of what I see going on right now.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Donald Trump has suggested he might run again for president in 2024.
Would you support Trump if he
ran for president in 2024?
Would you support
Trump if he ran for
president in 2024?
1 person raised their hand.
Angela, 41, leans Republican, white
Ben, 52, Democrat, Black
Blake, 26, leans Republican, white
Christy, 36, Democrat, Black
Don, 66, independent, white
Gabe, 22, independent, Black
Russ, 60, leans Republican, white
Scott, 61, leans Republican, white
Tom, 37, independent, white
Xaveria, 41, Republican, Black
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
Well, I mean, the alternative of Biden, which we found out, was absolutely terrible. But now it’s time to move on. It’s just time to move on. He’s going to be 78, whatever. And the whole, you know, “the election was stolen” blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. It’s time to move on from Trump. And we need new leaders.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
It depends on who’s running against him. I could not in good conscience vote for Biden right now. I don’t think he’s actually running the presidency. Somebody’s puppeteering him.
Do you think President Biden
should run again?
Do you think
President Biden
should run again?
1 person raised their hand.
Angela, 41, leans Republican, white
Ben, 52, Democrat, Black
Blake, 26, leans Republican, white
Christy, 36, Democrat, Black
Don, 66, independent, white
Gabe, 22, independent, Black
Russ, 60, leans Republican, white
Scott, 61, leans Republican, white
Tom, 37, independent, white
Xaveria, 41, Republican, Black
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
No way.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Christy, tell me why.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Yeah, I honestly think he should run again. It seems that he’s taking the necessary steps, whether you agree with it or not, to get our country back in shape, to the best of his ability.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I don’t think he’s the worst, but he has been a disappointment in a lot of different ways. Even when you think there’s certain things that might be outside of his scope, I don’t think he’s shown good leadership. I think he could have a couple of years ago, but he’s old.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Tom, could you say very briefly what you think of an issue where there wasn’t good leadership or the concerns?
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
I think the speech he gave about what he deemed MAGA Republicans, I think that could have been done a lot better, with a lot more sort of policy kind of behind it, and a lot more direction and a lot more leadership. And instead, he just kind of ranted in Philadelphia for 40 minutes. And it just wasn’t very effective.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
I think somebody else is running the White House. He’s old. I think he’s just pretty much a puppet.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Final question: What would your advice be to a candidate or a political party that wanted to win over a voter like you?
Russ,
60, leans Republican, white, retired
Fiscal responsibility leading to reduced inflation and a better economy.
Scott,
61, leans Republican, white, project manager
Show character and stay in line with your issues. Don’t go negative. Tell me what you’re about and do what you say.
Christy,
36, Democrat, Black, project coordinator
Be a person of integrity.
Gabe,
22, independent, Black, construction
Use your heart and stand your ground.
Ben,
52, Democrat, Black, customer service
Sometimes you have to be able to see the cry in a candidate.
Blake,
26, leans Republican, white, sales representative
I don’t have advice to an individual person, but as a broad policy, I really think they need to make these people take almost like a bar exam testing financial responsibility, foreign relationships, American history. Like a whole broad spectrum of things to really narrow down our best options, rather than saying, “Hey, here’s one party; here’s one party. Pick one or the other.”
Xaveria,
41, Republican, Black, auditor
I just want to see consistency in what they say they’re going to do.
Tom,
37, independent, white, consultant
Tell me how you’re going to build coalitions and compromise with people who don’t agree with you or wouldn’t vote for you.
Don,
66, independent, white, supply manager
I would say fiscal responsibility and border control.
Angela,
47, leans Republican, white, speech pathologist
Don’t say what I want to hear. Say what you mean. Mean what you say.