How would you describe Vice President Harris in one word? How would you
describe Vice President
Harris in one word?
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino
Shantae, 30, Pa., Black
Jayden, 21, Wis., white
Why have many Democrats embraced Kamala Harris as their presidential nominee, despite not knowing much about what she believes? We spoke to 14 Democrats as part of our latest Times Opinion focus group, and the answer was clear: Most had been deeply anxious about President Biden, and once he bowed out of the race, they needed a nominee fast. And it turned out, to the surprise of some, they liked her more than expected.
And yet: Many still aren’t sure what she would do in the top job. Some of the more liberal or younger participants in the group wondered if Harris is too harsh on criminal justice or on migrants crossing the border. Others don’t know what she would do about the economy — a top concern of theirs — or much else about her.
For all that, most of our 14 participants felt more hopeful about Harris than Biden, whose age and inarticulateness left some thinking they would not vote this year. Much of the excitement was about her personality, style and seriousness; two Black women in the group described her, approvingly, as “stern.” Jokes and memes in their group chats have reinforced the new energy around Harris; one man noted that his friends called her “Mother.”
We were struck that Harris’s status as potentially the first female president was a motivating factor to nearly everyone in the group, while her status as a Black and South Asian person was less motivating (including with people of color in the group). And is the country ready to elect a woman as president? They had strong views on that, too.
Participants
Shantae 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
Jayden 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Tyler B. 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
Tyler L. 22, Maryland, white, technician
Cindy 63, Utah, white, retired
Mahesh 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
Farooq 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
Michael 19, California, white, student
Mark 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Steve 70, Florida, white, retired
Luis 58, New York, Latino, manager
Kameshia 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
Masika 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
Jeannie 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
Transcript
Moderator, Margie Omero
What worries you most about America today?
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
The upcoming election.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Division.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Women’s health and reproductive rights.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
Wealth gap.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
Inflation.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
Education.
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
Crime.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
Affordable health care.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
Police brutality.
behind us or happening now? Are America’s best days ahead of
us, behind us or happening now?
Shantae,
30, Pa., Black
Tyler B.,
41, N.M., white
Tyler L.,
22, Md., white
Mahesh,
50, Mass., Asian
Mark,
53, Ohio, Latino
Steve,
70, Fla., white
Masika,
38, N.J., Black
Jayden,
21, Wis., white
Cindy,
63, Utah, white
Farooq,
47, Ill., Asian
Michael,
19, Calif., white
Luis,
58, N.Y., Latino
Kameshia,
36, Va., Black
Jeannie,
67, Ind., Asian Pacific Islander
Moderator, Margie Omero
Tyler L., tell us why you said America’s best days are ahead of us.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
All of the bad in our history. I can’t think of any period spanning longer than two or three years where things were peaceful or nice to all.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
I kind of agree. My age group gets to enjoy all of the fruits of protesting and changes in laws. I never experienced any of the things they had to experience.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
If you look at everything, we have gotten better — our freedoms, the crime rate.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Jayden, you said our best days are behind us.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
For people my age, a lot of us feel our future is pretty bleak. The ability to get a job, how much we pay to go to school, how difficult it is to even just find a place to live because we can’t work. It’s just this never-ending cycle of constant stress, always worried.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I think things were simpler years ago. You didn’t have all the technology. People need to get back to the basics.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What basics?
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
Simple things, not complicated technology and stuff. I think we are into too much of this technology. And inflation has gotten awful.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
I’m growing a future right now in my body. And I’ve been in the health care field, so I see the changes. I worry about my child’s education or health, and all inflation — it puts a worry on moms like me, on families like me. It’s hard for me to look at a future where my unborn is going to be gifted or can make these things without me pushing and pushing and fighting for her future. I feel like the best is behind us.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
We’re experiencing inflation. We’re experiencing rent hikes. Eventually, Kameshia’s going to need to pay for baby formula. Police brutality — I mean, my God, that’s extremely personal.
Moderator, Margie Omero
I want to ask about Joe Biden. Tell me how you were feeling about him as the Democratic nominee before the presidential debate in June.
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
I voted for Biden. I’ve always liked him and Barack Obama. People blame everything on the president, but Congress is the one who runs the show. Still, decisions that were made in the White House, like all these immigrants coming in and the expenses that the states are going through right now, it bothered me. Right here in the Bronx, we have so many hotels that I used to visit. And now they’re all just completely full of immigrants that are living there. So there’s nowhere for us to go, you know, whenever we want to just get away from it all.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I was honestly undecided as to whether I was going to vote this year. Biden, I did like when he was with Obama. But a lot of people within my age group didn’t feel so confident in his ability to execute what he said he was going to do. I do commend him for relieving some people of their student loans. He always just seemed so uncertain and so unsure when he would speak.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
His inability to articulate has always stood out, especially given his age.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
I was still on the positive side of voting for him.
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I voted for Biden. It worried me that he would not be able to complete a term, whether it is health reasons or just mental reasons where he can’t function. So I was disappointed that he withdrew.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I watched the debate. I was very disappointed. Biden just seemed so frail.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I wish he quit the race earlier so we had more options to choose from on the Democratic side, not just one person.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
When you first heard the news that Biden was dropping out of the race, how did you feel?
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
Surprised.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
Reassured.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I genuinely thought, “Thank God.”
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I was shocked.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
Hopeful.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
Excited.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
He was courageous.
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
Elated.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Relief.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
Later than it should have been.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
It’s not great.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Mark, why relief?
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Because I thought, “Then we have a much stronger shot now.” I thought a lot of people wouldn’t vote.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Being at a very liberal, very opinionated college — so many people have been saying they weren’t going to vote. Nobody wanted to vote for any of the people running.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
And Michael, you said “not great.”
Michael, 19, California, white, student
It’s way too late for this. Having someone drop out six months before the election is not a good sign at all.
Was it a good thing that President Biden
dropped out of the race? Was it a good thing that President
Biden dropped out of the race? 12 people raised their hands.
Shantae, 30, Pa., Black
Jayden, 21, Wis., white
Tyler B., 41, N.M., white
Tyler L., 22, Md., white
Cindy, 63, Utah, white
Mahesh, 50, Mass., Asian
Farooq, 47, Ill., Asian
Michael, 19, Calif., white
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino
Steve, 70, Fla., white
Luis, 58, N.Y., Latino
Kameshia, 36, Va., Black
Masika, 38, N.J., Black
Jeannie, 67, Ind., Asian Pacific Islander
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
I felt like Biden had a stronger chance against Trump. And then if he was unable to proceed, then Kamala Harris would be the next person in line. We wouldn’t have to worry about her campaigning.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I think it’s a good thing he dropped out, because there’s a stronger likelihood that Democrats will vote. People like being change makers. They like the idea, I think, of being a person who can say, “I voted for the first woman president, the first woman of color president.”
Moderator, Patrick Healy
How do you think Biden and his presidency will be remembered by history?
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I think that people will remember that he wasn’t composed, that he wasn’t articulate and that he just wasn’t well put together compared to the other presidents.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
He helped heal us from the previous four years.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
He’ll be remembered for helping with student loans. But his incompetence will also be remembered.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I’m sure hoping people will remember him being a good president in the beginning. And he tried to do so many things with global warming. He’s going to make history for stepping down. I think they’re going to remember that. So I’m hoping they remember the good.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
When President Biden announced that he wasn’t going to be running, what did you think might happen next?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Well, I knew that Kamala was going to be put forth as the candidate. There were other candidates, but I didn’t think it would be anybody else. And we have another candidate that’s running, and they’re not giving him any chance whatsoever, which is Robert Kennedy. And I think that’s a little unfair.
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
It makes sense that she would get the nomination.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I actually thought Michelle Obama might run.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Along those lines, were there candidates you were hoping would run, either Vice President Harris or other Democrats?
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
No. I also agree with Steve that I think it was planned on. I think that Biden knew that this was his term and his opportunity to build his legacy. He took that opportunity, and he selected his V.P. knowing the responsibility of a V.P., knowing his age, knowing his challenges. And here we are.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I really love Elizabeth Warren. And Pete Buttigieg as well, although I think he’s pretty much set to be the V.P.
Do you think Harris is the best choice
to be the nominee? Do you think Harris is the best
choice to be the nominee? 14 people raised their hands.
Shantae, 30, Pa., Black
Jayden, 21, Wis., white
Tyler B., 41, N.M., white
Tyler L., 22, Md., white
Cindy, 63, Utah, white
Mahesh, 50, Mass., Asian
Farooq, 47, Ill., Asian
Michael, 19, Calif., white
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino
Steve, 70, Fla., white
Luis, 58, N.Y., Latino
Kameshia, 36, Va., Black
Masika, 38, N.J., Black
Jeannie, 67, Ind., Asian Pacific Islander
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
My hand is kind of there, but I think, given the time, I don’t think there’s any other choice.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
How would you describe Vice President Harris in one word?
Michael, 19, California, white, student
Meh.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
Hopeful.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Enthusiastic.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I would say “strong.”
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
Indian American.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
“Competent,” hopefully.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
“Composed” or “articulate.”
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
Yeah, I would say “competent” as well.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
Stern.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
A real go-getter.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
Articulate.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
Aware.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
I would say “stern” as well.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
Someone who wants to be on the right side of history.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Shantae and Kameshia, you both said “stern.” Why?
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
She just comes across as very serious. And I can tell that she has experience and has worked in the legal department. I can definitely tell. I get that vibe and that energy from her.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Do you mean “stern” as a positive?
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I think people expect women to be more warm. But because of the role that she is interviewing or trying to go for, it makes sense why she is stern, but also just because of her experience. So I don’t think it’s a bad thing.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
She’s tough. She looks tough. And then she’s tough on crimes. You expect women to be just easygoing, mothering, nurturing, all this good stuff. But no, she’s strong and tough and fierce.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Jayden, you said “composed.”
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
It just seems like she isn’t going to get into the drama of what has been. She seems like she is going to narrow it back to the topic and not get into a bickering match, if that makes sense.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Michael, you said “meh.” Unpack “meh” for us.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
I mean, I think she’s the best pick right now. I’m still not 100 percent that I’m going to vote for her over the other guy. But personally, I am not a fan at all of when she was attorney general of California and her history of prosecuting petty marijuana crimes and the whole Kevin Cooper case.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Tyler L., you said “aware.”
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
I think she’s just more in touch with social issues than two 70-year-old men that have come up rather wealthily. I think that she’s just got a better finger on the pulse of what’s actually happening with the general population.
Moderator, Margie Omero
If Kamala Harris were a car, what kind of car would she be?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Probably a Volkswagen Beetle. She’s pretty compact in her manner. She doesn’t waste words. And she seems like she could go a lot of miles, I think.
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I’d say a Firebird. I think she’s a go-getter.
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
I’m going to say an Escalade. Because she is very glamorous, she’s intelligent and she’s well spoken. And she’s got a lot going for her.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I would say a Honda with a modified muffler.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Tell me why.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
She’s very strong legally. I’ve seen her in the Senate hearings, the way she was grilling. I wish she did the same in the primaries in 2020. I’m glad she was a V.P. I hope she is articulate in the same way politically.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Whatever car people might think of fast and slick, that’s the only thing I could think of.
Moderator, Margie Omero
OK, do you mean that as a positive?
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Yeah, definitely.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I think she’d be a Porsche. Because she needs to go from zero to president fast. And she knows that she can rely on style to get there.
Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse
What’s the “built tough” truck? Is it a Ford or Dodge?
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I like that one. Can I change mine to “built Ford tough”?
Moderator, Margie Omero
I’m not a car person. I just like the answers to this question.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
I’d say BMW 5 Series because I feel like it’s still luxury, it’s classy, it’s sporty, it’s low to the ground, it has great handling and it’s fast.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Is there anything that you’re concerned about with Harris? Weaknesses?
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I haven’t been very happy with her anti-immigration position. I am Mexican, and I grew up in Mexico. And seeing her go and tell people, “Don’t come here,” after my ancestors got here and made me happen, that was really disappointing and remains very disappointing.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
A lot of people don’t really know much about Kamala Harris. You always heard Biden headlines about, oh, Biden is senile. But I cannot think of a single headline about Kamala.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I would agree with Michael. I feel like there was not a whole lot about her that I heard. And the things I did hear were on social media. People like to make jokes and memes out of everyone. So I worry about that, moving forward, and being a strong, stern candidate is great. But I worry that they’re going to use that as a way to attack her as being a woman and not being super caring, loving, not running like that.
Moderator, Margie Omero
OK, but what do you think? Is that something that you perceive about her?
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I think it’s a positive thing, as a woman who’s independent. But I feel like a lot of people won’t think that.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
Similarly to what Michael was saying, I didn’t know much about her even three weeks ago. So I mean, it’s gone from a base neutral of no knowledge to generally positive, after doing some research.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I think that’s probably why she was kept hidden for a long time. Because no news is good news. If she is under focus, there will be a lot of negativity if things don’t go well. And that would have hurt now. I think it was all probably planned that this day was going to come at some point because of Biden’s age.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What about for you?
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I have a good connection because she is from the same country where I grew up in, from the same state. I’ve been reading a lot of history, back from her mom and grandfather. I really hope that she would win. It’s pride for me, personally, if she wins.
make you more motivated to vote for her or less
motivated, or does it make no difference? Does the fact that Harris is a
woman make you more motivated
to vote for her or less motivated,
or does it make no difference?
Shantae,
30, Pa., Black
Jayden,
21, Wis., white
Tyler B.,
41, N.M., white
Cindy,
63, Utah, white
Mahesh,
50, Mass., Asian
Farooq,
47, Ill., Asian
Luis,
58, N.Y., Latino
Masika,
38, N.J., Black
Jeannie,
67, Ind., Asian Pacific Islander
Tyler L.,
22, Md., white
Michael,
19, Calif., white
Mark,
53, Ohio, Latino
Steve,
70, Fla., white
Kameshia,
36, Va., Black
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
We’ve never had a woman president. And I’m likely to see different things passed and how it’s handled and see how she’s able to navigate the country.
Moderator, Margie Omero
OK. Who said the fact that she’s a woman doesn’t matter to them?
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
I’m just looking at the candidates and looking at who they are personally, simple as that.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
I know it’s going to be a historic event if a woman is elected president. I just hope she can handle it. Because it’s not an easy job.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Tell me what you mean by that.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Well, let’s put it this way: If she comes up against Trump in a debate, how’s she going to handle that?
Moderator, Margie Omero
What do you think?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
He’s going to throw a lot of mud at her.
Moderator, Margie Omero
How do you think she’ll handle it?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Well, I hope that she can do a good job at handling the mud that’s going to be slung at her. That’s going to be the main thing, and that’s probably going to be pretty emotional. But I think she can handle it.
Moderator, Margie Omero
To what extent does the fact that Harris is a person of color make you more or less excited to vote for her, or does it not matter? [Three said “More excited”; none said “Less excited”; nine said “It doesn’t matter.”]
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I think it’s a great thing to create history. When Obama won, it was so important, so major, to see the first Black president. I think just her being a woman of color would be a great thing for history.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Farooq, you said it doesn’t make a difference to you.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
We broke that color barrier. But I just look at the candidates themselves. Now, ideally, a female candidate would be historic, whether it be white, Black, brown. So color really didn’t make much of a difference.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
We’ve kind of already broken the color barrier. The fact that she’s a woman would be more historic.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Let’s say Kamala Harris had taken truth serum so she had to answer any question honestly. What would you ask her?
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I would ask her how much actual experience does she have.
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I would ask her what her thoughts are on the economy and what issues were the most important for her to attack.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What would you like her to say?
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I would like her to say that the economy is going to turn around and get better, inflation is going to go down and homelessness is going to go away. But that’s a big hope.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I would want to ask her, as a woman of color and product of immigrant parents, why she’s not stepping up to protect immigrants seeking the same privileges and rights afforded to her.
Moderator, Margie Omero
How do you think she’d answer that question?
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I would hope she’d be stumped.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
I would ask her how she’s going to work with the other side, because that’s really serious. You have to have a strategy.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Yeah, how are you going to work with Congress to actually make things happen? Because that’s where things always get stuck. How are you going to sway both sides to agree with what you’re trying to do? How can you make it appeal to everyone?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
I would ask her if she has a plan on how to deal with the immigration problem and the system of how they’re doing it.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I would also ask about inflation and the economy.
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
I would ask if she thinks she would win the election easily or if she fears that this country is not ready for a woman president.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What do you think she’s going to say to that?
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
She will say she has a fair chance to try.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Mahesh, can I ask you, just, do you think the country is ready for a woman president?
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
Last time we had a woman presidential nominee, I felt it’s not, right? It came very close. There’s likely a chance that’s going to happen again. She might come very close and lose.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
It’s eight years since Hillary Clinton won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Do you think, Mahesh, that the country is more ready to elect a woman and have her win the presidency than it was eight years ago?
Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software engineer
People in the general population may be ready, yes, like myself. But I’m not the deciding authority at the end. There’s somebody else, the Electoral College. That hurts.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
The problem that Hillary faced was that she was a stern white woman. Kamala is a slick, stylish Black woman. And no matter how much racism there is in this country, people like style. They like people who push back. And it’s much more attractive, I think, on Kamala.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
I think the country is much more ready. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump — you had a very hardened career politician and a TV pop-culture rich dude going against each other. Everyone assumed Hillary was going to win. But Hillary is much more unfavorable to most people, just due to her problematic past, than Kamala is.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Is there a kind of person that you would like to see Harris pick as her running mate?
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I think Pete Buttigieg, because Trump has shown his ass, so to speak, as far as being pretty anti-veteran. And Buttigieg is a veteran. He’ll get those votes.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
The only person I can think of is Bernie Sanders. He’s pretty popular with independent voters, which is pretty important this election.
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
Mark Kelly, probably. Astronaut, armed forces — you can’t go wrong.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
I’d probably agree with Mark Kelly.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Somebody that’s going to help draw in more people to her candidacy, whether that’s like somebody from a swing state or somebody who pulls more independent voters.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
If you could make one suggestion to Kamala Harris, what would it be?
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Don’t give in to the bickering and letting Trump just pick little comments and fights. Don’t get into it. Just be the bigger person, stand your ground and move on. Keep to the topics, not getting into personal life.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
I would actually like for her to occasionally get dirty with them. Because I know the Democrats have kind of taken the “we won’t stoop to their level” posture. I feel like at some point you have to put them in their place. So I hope she does kind of do that.
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
Remain composed and stick to the plan.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
I’m in the same boat as Shantae here. Harris was a prosecutor. She knows what she’s doing when it comes to debating people.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Raise your hand if you would say you’re definitely committed to voting for Kamala Harris for president at this point. Everybody, it looks like, but Steve. You mentioned Robert Kennedy a few minutes ago.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Well, I think he’s a viable candidate. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t win because the Democrats don’t let him. They’ve already demonstrated that they’re going to try and railroad him out of the whole election.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What would it take for Harris to win your vote?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
I need to see her stand her ground. If Biden was still in the race and his head was in a jar of formaldehyde, I’d probably still vote for him.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Is there anything you want to see her stand her ground on, or just generally stand her ground?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Like I said, she’s going to get a lot of mud. And that’s going to be tough to deal with. I’m pretty sure she can handle it.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Jayden, can I ask you, did anything change for you recently that made you want to support Harris?
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I would just say it’s someone new. And she seems very competent and capable to take office and actually voice her opinions and stand her ground. And she can articulate what she is trying to get across, which is a big thing. Bickering and an inability to speak is all I saw prior to now.
who do you think will win in November —
Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Putting aside personal preference,
who do you think will win
in November — Kamala Harris
or Donald Trump?
Jayden,
21, Wis., white
Tyler B.,
41, N.M., white
Tyler L.,
22, Md., white
Cindy,
63, Utah, white
Farooq,
47, Ill., Asian
Mark,
53, Ohio, Latino
Steve,
70, Fla., white
Luis,
58, N.Y., Latino
Masika,
38, N.J., Black
Jeannie,
67, Ind., Asian Pacific Islander
Shantae,
30, Pa., Black
Michael,
19, Calif., white
Moderator, Patrick Healy
How are you feeling about politics in America right now?
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I’m nervous. I really am. Because I don’t know what’s going to happen and who’s going to win and what’s going to be.
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
I’m nervous. I really don’t like it. I’m more disgusted, a little bit, with the politics that’s been going on lately.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Anything that’s impacted you personally or just something that happened in politics that really bugged you?
Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst
Yeah, I really did not like watching Roe v. Wade be overturned by the Supreme Court. That was a big turnoff for me. And then things being proposed by Biden and then it not going through Congress and then the bickering back and forth and then Trump not being held accountable and just me seeing, most recently, police brutality and a woman killed for no reason at all and nothing really being done about it, consistently. So I’ve been very disgusted lately with just everything when it comes to politics.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Jayden, you were nodding your head.
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I live in Madison, Wis. It’s very, very liberal. So when Roe got overturned, we were all protesting. Campus was full of a lot of angry women and a lot of angry men, too, that understood why we were all upset about it. As long as she stands accountable for trying to fight for us to have a choice and have the ability to make that decision, I think a lot of people will choose to side with her, at least I hope.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Would just as many people have sided with Biden, do you think? Or is it different with her?
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
I think it’s different. A lot of us didn’t feel like Biden was actually able to act on things because he couldn’t articulate and get the thoughts out.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
What has come up in your group chats about politics recently?
Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, student
Happiness.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
Conversations about who they think will be the running mate.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I think that people have been a lot more easily convinced that Kamala Harris is a good option.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
A lot of jokes, memes and stuff. But it’s primarily positive, which is reassuring to me, as opposed to Biden falling down a flight of stairs, with some stupid song behind it. It’s been like, “Oh, look at how stylish Kamala is. Mother, we love her.”
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
Mother. [LAUGHING]
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
Stuff like that.
Moderator, Patrick Healy
Has “brat” come up or “coconut” or other ones?
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
It’s popped up a few times, yeah. Positively, though.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
People were saying they’re waiting for Taylor Swift and, you know, Beyoncé to come out and watch it go from there.
Moderator, Margie Omero
So let’s say Trump wins in November and then we do this focus group four years from now at the end of his second term. How are you going to feel? What’s going to be different about how things are going for you or the country?
Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer
We survived four years before, so I would say I would still be hopeful.
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
I’m skeptical that he’d make any difference in four years.
Moderator, Margie Omero
So you don’t think that anything will be really that different in four years?
Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired
No.
Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, professional coach
I think he’ll be dead.
Michael, 19, California, white, student
I don’t think anything will get better or worse or get better either way.
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
I feel like it’ll get worse.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What will?
Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician
I mean, you think we’re divided right now? If he takes office, it’s just going to be 10 times worse. I mean, the rhetoric that’s being spread right now, through that party, is basically sounding like they are going to make changes that people are not going to like.
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
I don’t think it’ll be any better at all.
Moderator, Margie Omero
What’ll be worse?
Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired
Well, just the divisiveness in the parties. And they’re going to run around and start throwing stuff at each other. And nothing’s going to get done.
Moderator, Margie Omero
Let’s say Kamala Harris wins in November and we do this group again four years from now, toward the end of her term. What’s going to be different? What’s going to be the same? How are you going to feel?
Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver
I think that we’ll still be somewhat divided but a lot more people will be hopeful. Just making it easier for people to have a better quality of life.
Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired
I’m hoping that abortion is legal in all cases. And I hope climate change is addressed. But I just don’t think things will happen in four years. It’ll take a lot longer.
Luis, 58, New York, Latino, manager
I think by the time we get to those four years, the waters will have melted in Antarctica. But she’s going to handle it. Still, it’s going to be a very stressful situation for her.
Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician
I’m not sure if it’ll be significantly more positive. But I have a lot of faith that it won’t be worse, which is really a bare minimum that I ask for at this point.
