Opinion | Harris, Her Vice President Pick and 2024: 14 Voters Discuss

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

The upcoming election.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Division.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Girls’s well being and reproductive rights.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

Wealth hole.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

Inflation.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

Schooling.

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

Crime.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

Inexpensive well being care.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

Police brutality.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

The entire dangerous in our historical past. I can’t consider any interval spanning longer than two or three years the place issues had been peaceable or good to all.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

I form of agree. My age group will get to get pleasure from all the fruits of protesting and modifications in legal guidelines. I by no means skilled any of the issues they needed to expertise.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

In the event you have a look at all the pieces, now we have gotten higher — our freedoms, the crime price.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

For folks my age, quite a lot of us really feel our future is fairly bleak. The flexibility to get a job, how a lot we pay to go to highschool, how tough it’s to even simply discover a place to reside as a result of we will’t work. It’s simply this unending cycle of fixed stress, at all times apprehensive.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I believe issues had been easier years in the past. You didn’t have all of the expertise. Folks must get again to the fundamentals.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

Easy issues, not sophisticated expertise and stuff. I believe we’re into an excessive amount of of this expertise. And inflation has gotten terrible.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

I’m rising a future proper now in my physique. And I’ve been within the well being care discipline, so I see the modifications. I fear about my youngster’s training or well being, and all inflation — it places a fear on mothers like me, on households like me. It’s exhausting for me to have a look at a future the place my unborn goes to be gifted or could make these items with out me pushing and pushing and preventing for her future. I really feel like the most effective is behind us.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

We’re experiencing inflation. We’re experiencing hire hikes. Ultimately, Kameshia’s going to wish to pay for child method. Police brutality — I imply, my God, that’s extraordinarily private.

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

I voted for Biden. I’ve at all times favored him and Barack Obama. Folks blame all the pieces on the president, however Congress is the one who runs the present. Nonetheless, selections that had been made within the White Home, like all these immigrants coming in and the bills that the states are going by way of proper now, it bothered me. Proper right here within the Bronx, now we have so many motels that I used to go to. And now they’re all simply utterly stuffed with immigrants which are dwelling there. So there’s nowhere for us to go, you understand, at any time when we wish to simply get away from all of it.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I used to be actually undecided as as to if I used to be going to vote this yr. Biden, I did like when he was with Obama. However lots of people inside my age group didn’t really feel so assured in his capability to execute what he stated he was going to do. I do commend him for relieving some folks of their pupil loans. He at all times simply appeared so unsure and so not sure when he would converse.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

His incapacity to articulate has at all times stood out, particularly given his age.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

I used to be nonetheless on the optimistic facet of voting for him.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I voted for Biden. It apprehensive me that he wouldn’t be capable of full a time period, whether or not it’s well being causes or simply psychological causes the place he can’t operate. So I used to be disenchanted that he withdrew.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I watched the talk. I used to be very disenchanted. Biden simply appeared so frail.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I want he stop the race earlier so we had extra choices to select from on the Democratic facet, not only one particular person.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

Shocked.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

Reassured.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I genuinely thought, “Thank God.”

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I used to be shocked.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

Hopeful.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

Excited.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

He was brave.

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

Elated.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

Reduction.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

Later than it ought to have been.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

It’s not nice.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

As a result of I believed, “Then now we have a a lot stronger shot now.” I believed lots of people wouldn’t vote.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Being at a really liberal, very opinionated school — so many individuals have been saying they weren’t going to vote. No one wished to vote for any of the folks working.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

It’s manner too late for this. Having somebody drop out six months earlier than the election is just not a superb signal in any respect.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

I felt like Biden had a stronger probability towards Trump. After which if he was unable to proceed, then Kamala Harris can be the following particular person in line. We wouldn’t have to fret about her campaigning.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I believe it’s a superb factor he dropped out, as a result of there’s a stronger chance that Democrats will vote. Folks like being change makers. They like the concept, I believe, of being an individual who can say, “I voted for the primary lady president, the primary lady of shade president.”

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I believe that folks will keep in mind that he wasn’t composed, that he wasn’t articulate and that he simply wasn’t properly put collectively in comparison with the opposite presidents.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

He helped heal us from the earlier 4 years.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

He’ll be remembered for serving to with pupil loans. However his incompetence can even be remembered.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I’m positive hoping folks will bear in mind him being a superb president to start with. And he tried to take action many issues with international warming. He’s going to make historical past for stepping down. I believe they’re going to keep in mind that. So I’m hoping they bear in mind the great.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Properly, I knew that Kamala was going to be put forth because the candidate. There have been different candidates, however I didn’t assume it might be anyone else. And now we have one other candidate that’s working, they usually’re not giving him any probability in any respect, which is Robert Kennedy. And I believe that’s a bit unfair.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

It is smart that she would get the nomination.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I truly thought Michelle Obama may run.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

No. I additionally agree with Steve that I believe it was deliberate on. I believe that Biden knew that this was his time period and his alternative to construct his legacy. He took that chance, and he chosen his V.P. figuring out the duty of a V.P., figuring out his age, figuring out his challenges. And right here we’re.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I actually love Elizabeth Warren. And Pete Buttigieg as properly, though I believe he’s just about set to be the V.P.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

My hand is form of there, however I believe, given the time, I don’t assume there’s some other alternative.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

Meh.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

Hopeful.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

Enthusiastic.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I’d say “robust.”

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

Indian American.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

“Competent,” hopefully.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

“Composed” or “articulate.”

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

Yeah, I’d say “competent” as properly.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

Stern.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

An actual go-getter.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

Articulate.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

Conscious.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

I’d say “stern” as properly.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

Somebody who desires to be on the fitting facet of historical past.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

She simply comes throughout as very critical. And I can inform that she has expertise and has labored within the authorized division. I can undoubtedly inform. I get that vibe and that power from her.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I believe folks count on girls to be extra heat. However due to the function that she is interviewing or making an attempt to go for, it is smart why she is stern, but in addition simply due to her expertise. So I don’t assume it’s a foul factor.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

She’s powerful. She seems powerful. After which she’s powerful on crimes. You count on girls to be simply easygoing, mothering, nurturing, all this good things. However no, she’s robust and hard and fierce.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

It simply looks as if she isn’t going to get into the drama of what has been. She looks as if she goes to slender it again to the subject and never get right into a bickering match, if that is smart.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

I imply, I believe she’s the most effective decide proper now. I’m nonetheless not one hundred pc that I’m going to vote for her over the opposite man. However personally, I’m not a fan in any respect of when she was lawyer normal of California and her historical past of prosecuting petty marijuana crimes and the whole Kevin Cooper case.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

I believe she’s simply extra in contact with social points than two 70-year-old males which have come up somewhat wealthily. I believe that she’s simply obtained a greater finger on the heartbeat of what’s truly taking place with the final inhabitants.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Most likely a Volkswagen Beetle. She’s fairly compact in her method. She doesn’t waste phrases. And he or she looks as if she may go quite a lot of miles, I believe.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I’d say a Firebird. I believe she’s a go-getter.

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

I’m going to say an Escalade. As a result of she could be very glamorous, she’s clever and she or he’s properly spoken. And he or she’s obtained quite a bit going for her.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I’d say a Honda with a modified muffler.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

She’s very robust legally. I’ve seen her within the Senate hearings, the way in which she was grilling. I want she did the identical within the primaries in 2020. I’m glad she was a V.P. I hope she is articulate in the identical manner politically.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

No matter automobile folks may consider quick and slick, that’s the one factor I may consider.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

Yeah, undoubtedly.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I believe she’d be a Porsche. As a result of she must go from zero to president quick. And he or she is aware of that she will depend on type to get there.

Kameshia, 36, Virginia, Black, nurse

What’s the “constructed powerful” truck? Is it a Ford or Dodge?

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I like that one. Can I alter mine to “constructed Ford powerful”?

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

I’d say BMW 5 Collection as a result of I really feel prefer it’s nonetheless luxurious, it’s stylish, it’s sporty, it’s low to the bottom, it has nice dealing with and it’s quick.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I haven’t been very completely satisfied together with her anti-immigration place. I’m Mexican, and I grew up in Mexico. And seeing her go and inform folks, “Don’t come here,” after my ancestors obtained right here and made me occur, that was actually disappointing and stays very disappointing.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

Lots of people don’t actually know a lot about Kamala Harris. You at all times heard Biden headlines about, oh, Biden is senile. However I can’t consider a single headline about Kamala.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I’d agree with Michael. I really feel like there was not an entire lot about her that I heard. And the issues I did hear had been on social media. Folks prefer to make jokes and memes out of everybody. So I fear about that, shifting ahead, and being a powerful, stern candidate is nice. However I fear that they’re going to make use of that as a option to assault her as being a lady and never being tremendous caring, loving, not working like that.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I believe it’s a optimistic factor, as a lady who’s impartial. However I really feel like lots of people gained’t assume that.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

Equally to what Michael was saying, I didn’t know a lot about her even three weeks in the past. So I imply, it’s gone from a base impartial of no data to usually optimistic, after performing some analysis.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I believe that’s most likely why she was stored hidden for a very long time. As a result of no information is nice information. If she is below focus, there can be quite a lot of negativity if issues don’t go properly. And that might have damage now. I believe it was all most likely deliberate that today was going to return in some unspecified time in the future due to Biden’s age.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I’ve a superb connection as a result of she is from the identical nation the place I grew up in, from the identical state. I’ve been studying quite a lot of historical past, again from her mother and grandfather. I actually hope that she would win. It’s delight for me, personally, if she wins.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

We’ve by no means had a lady president. And I’m more likely to see various things handed and the way it’s dealt with and see how she’s capable of navigate the nation.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

I’m simply trying on the candidates and taking a look at who they’re personally, easy as that.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

I do know it’s going to be a historic occasion if a lady is elected president. I simply hope she will deal with it. As a result of it’s not a straightforward job.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Properly, let’s put it this fashion: If she comes up towards Trump in a debate, how’s she going to deal with that?

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

He’s going to throw quite a lot of mud at her.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Properly, I hope that she will do a superb job at dealing with the mud that’s going to be slung at her. That’s going to be the primary factor, and that’s most likely going to be fairly emotional. However I believe she will deal with it.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I believe it’s a fantastic factor to create historical past. When Obama gained, it was so necessary, so main, to see the primary Black president. I believe simply her being a lady of shade can be a fantastic factor for historical past.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

We broke that shade barrier. However I simply have a look at the candidates themselves. Now, ideally, a feminine candidate can be historic, whether or not or not it’s white, Black, brown. So shade actually didn’t make a lot of a distinction.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

We’ve form of already damaged the colour barrier. The truth that she’s a lady can be extra historic.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I’d ask her how a lot precise expertise does she have.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I’d ask her what her ideas are on the economic system and what points had been an important for her to assault.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I would love her to say that the economic system goes to show round and get higher, inflation goes to go down and homelessness goes to go away. However that’s an enormous hope.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I’d wish to ask her, as a lady of shade and product of immigrant dad and mom, why she’s not stepping as much as defend immigrants searching for the identical privileges and rights afforded to her.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I’d hope she’d be stumped.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

I’d ask her how she’s going to work with the opposite facet, as a result of that’s actually critical. You must have a method.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Yeah, how are you going to work with Congress to really make issues occur? As a result of that’s the place issues at all times get caught. How are you going to sway either side to agree with what you’re making an attempt to do? How are you going to make it attraction to everybody?

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

I’d ask her if she has a plan on the way to cope with the immigration downside and the system of how they’re doing it.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I’d additionally ask about inflation and the economic system.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

I’d ask if she thinks she would win the election simply or if she fears that this nation is just not prepared for a girl president.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

She is going to say she has a good probability to attempt.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

Final time we had a lady presidential nominee, I felt it’s not, proper? It got here very shut. There’s doubtless an opportunity that’s going to occur once more. She may come very shut and lose.

Mahesh, 50, Massachusetts, Asian, software program engineer

Folks within the normal inhabitants could also be prepared, sure, like myself. However I’m not the deciding authority on the finish. There’s any person else, the Electoral Faculty. That hurts.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

The issue that Hillary confronted was that she was a stern white lady. Kamala is a slick, trendy Black lady. And regardless of how a lot racism there’s on this nation, folks like type. They like individuals who push again. And it’s rather more enticing, I believe, on Kamala.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

I believe the nation is rather more prepared. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump — you had a really hardened profession politician and a TV pop-culture wealthy dude going towards one another. Everybody assumed Hillary was going to win. However Hillary is rather more unfavorable to most individuals, simply resulting from her problematic previous, than Kamala is.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I believe Pete Buttigieg, as a result of Trump has proven his ass, so to talk, so far as being fairly anti-veteran. And Buttigieg is a veteran. He’ll get these votes.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

The one particular person I can consider is Bernie Sanders. He’s fairly well-liked with impartial voters, which is fairly necessary this election.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

Mark Kelly, most likely. Astronaut, armed forces — you may’t go unsuitable.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

I’d most likely agree with Mark Kelly.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Anyone that’s going to assist draw in additional folks to her candidacy, whether or not that’s like any person from a swing state or any person who pulls extra impartial voters.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Don’t give in to the bickering and letting Trump simply decide little feedback and fights. Don’t get into it. Simply be the larger particular person, stand your floor and transfer on. Maintain to the matters, not entering into private life.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

I’d truly like for her to often get soiled with them. As a result of I do know the Democrats have form of taken the “we gained’t stoop to their stage” posture. I really feel like in some unspecified time in the future you need to put them of their place. So I hope she does form of try this.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

Stay composed and stick with the plan.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

I’m in the identical boat as Shantae right here. Harris was a prosecutor. She is aware of what she’s doing relating to debating folks.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Properly, I believe he’s a viable candidate. Sadly, he wouldn’t win as a result of the Democrats don’t let him. They’ve already demonstrated that they’re going to try to railroad him out of the entire election.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

I must see her stand her floor. If Biden was nonetheless within the race and his head was in a jar of formaldehyde, I’d most likely nonetheless vote for him.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Like I stated, she’s going to get quite a lot of mud. And that’s going to be powerful to cope with. I’m fairly positive she will deal with it.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I’d simply say it’s somebody new. And he or she appears very competent and succesful to take workplace and really voice her opinions and stand her floor. And she will articulate what she is making an attempt to get throughout, which is an enormous factor. Bickering and an incapacity to talk is all I noticed before now.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I’m nervous. I actually am. As a result of I don’t know what’s going to occur and who’s going to win and what’s going to be.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

I’m nervous. I actually don’t prefer it. I’m extra disgusted, a bit bit, with the politics that’s been occurring recently.

Masika, 38, New Jersey, Black, H.R. analyst

Yeah, I actually didn’t like watching Roe v. Wade be overturned by the Supreme Court docket. That was an enormous turnoff for me. After which issues being proposed by Biden after which it not going by way of Congress after which the bickering forwards and backwards after which Trump not being held accountable and simply me seeing, most not too long ago, police brutality and a lady killed for no cause in any respect and nothing actually being accomplished about it, constantly. So I’ve been very disgusted recently with simply all the pieces relating to politics.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I reside in Madison, Wis. It’s very, very liberal. So when Roe obtained overturned, we had been all protesting. Campus was stuffed with quite a lot of indignant girls and quite a lot of indignant males, too, that understood why we had been all upset about it. So long as she stands accountable for making an attempt to combat for us to have a alternative and have the power to make that call, I believe lots of people will select to facet together with her, a minimum of I hope.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

I believe it’s totally different. Loads of us didn’t really feel like Biden was truly capable of act on issues as a result of he couldn’t articulate and get the ideas out.

Jayden, 21, Wisconsin, white, pupil

Happiness.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

Conversations about who they assume would be the working mate.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I believe that folks have been much more simply satisfied that Kamala Harris is an effective choice.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

Loads of jokes, memes and stuff. However it’s primarily optimistic, which is reassuring to me, versus Biden falling down a flight of stairs, with some silly tune behind it. It’s been like, “Oh, have a look at how trendy Kamala is. Mom, we love her.”

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

Mom. [LAUGHING]

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

Stuff like that.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

It’s popped up a number of instances, yeah. Positively, although.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

Folks had been saying they’re ready for Taylor Swift and, you understand, Beyoncé to return out and watch it go from there.

Mark, 53, Ohio, Latino, photographer

We survived 4 years earlier than, so I’d say I’d nonetheless be hopeful.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

I’m skeptical that he’d make any distinction in 4 years.

Jeannie, 67, Indiana, Asian Pacific Islander, retired

No.

Tyler B., 41, New Mexico, white, skilled coach

I believe he’ll be lifeless.

Michael, 19, California, white, pupil

I don’t assume something will get higher or worse or get higher both manner.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

I really feel prefer it’ll worsen.

Farooq, 47, Illinois, Asian, I.T. technician

I imply, you assume we’re divided proper now? If he takes workplace, it’s simply going to be 10 instances worse. I imply, the rhetoric that’s being unfold proper now, by way of that social gathering, is mainly sounding like they will make modifications that persons are not going to love.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

I don’t assume it’ll be any higher in any respect.

Steve, 70, Florida, white, retired

Properly, simply the divisiveness within the events. They usually’re going to run round and begin throwing stuff at one another. And nothing’s going to get accomplished.

Shantae, 30, Pennsylvania, Black, caregiver

I believe that we’ll nonetheless be considerably divided however much more folks can be hopeful. Simply making it simpler for folks to have a greater high quality of life.

Cindy, 63, Utah, white, retired

I’m hoping that abortion is authorized in all instances. And I hope local weather change is addressed. However I simply don’t assume issues will occur in 4 years. It’ll take quite a bit longer.

Luis, 58, New York, Latino, supervisor

I believe by the point we get to these 4 years, the waters may have melted in Antarctica. However she’s going to deal with it. Nonetheless, it’s going to be a really annoying scenario for her.

Tyler L., 22, Maryland, white, technician

I’m undecided if it’ll be considerably extra optimistic. However I’ve quite a lot of religion that it gained’t be worse, which is mostly a naked minimal that I ask for at this level.