cover of episode A Final Dispatch From America’s Bellwether

A Final Dispatch From America’s Bellwether

2024/11/5
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People
E
Ested Herndon
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Jim Bourget
K
Kate Bradshaw
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Matthew Robertson
R
Rick Parr
播
播音员
主持著名true crime播客《Crime Junkie》的播音员和创始人。
Topics
播音员：本节目回顾了Clallam 县选民在2024年美国总统大选中的观点，Clallam 县作为美国最后一个真正的钟摆县，其选民的观点通常被认为能够反映全国的投票趋势。节目中采访了多位Clallam 县居民，他们表达了对特朗普和哈里斯等候选人的不同看法，以及对选举结果的担忧和焦虑。 Kate Bradshaw：最初支持拜登，但后来由于担心拜登的年龄和人气下降而改变主意，转而支持哈里斯。她对哈里斯的了解不多，但认为哈里斯是一位女性总统候选人，这让她感到兴奋，但也担心哈里斯的竞选时间过早，会给她带来负面影响。她还担心选举不会顺利进行。 Rick Parr：一直以来都是特朗普的支持者，他支持特朗普是因为特朗普的政策，但他对政治的信任度下降，并认为媒体对特朗普不公平。他对2020年大选的结果存疑，认为操纵选举很容易，并且不相信哈里斯会赢得大选。 Matthew Robertson：一位共和党人，对特朗普的所作所为感到失望，但他认同特朗普的部分政策。他最终选择弃权投票，因为他无法接受特朗普的言行。他不考虑投票给哈里斯，因为他认为哈里斯的政策立场前后矛盾。他关心Clallam 县的投票记录，但认为特朗普可能会赢得全国大选。 Jim Bourget：投票支持哈里斯，因为他反对特朗普及其政策，并希望看到政治体制的重大改革。他对选举结果感到焦虑和不安，担心可能发生暴力事件。 万圣节游行参与者：受访者对特朗普和哈里斯都有不同的看法，一些人因为各种原因支持特朗普，另一些人支持哈里斯，还有人未决定。他们表达了对女性健康问题、民主、国家现状以及对选举的焦虑等方面的担忧。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why is Clallam County considered a bellwether county?

Clallam County has correctly picked the U.S. president every year since 1980, reflecting the national mood accurately.

What were the key concerns among Democrats in Clallam County regarding Joe Biden?

Democrats were worried about Biden's age and his ability to serve a second term effectively.

How did the first debate affect voters' perceptions of Joe Biden?

The debate made many voters, including Democrats, feel that Biden's age was a significant issue, leading to a quick decline in their support.

Why did some Republicans in Clallam County express disappointment with the party's choice of Donald Trump?

Some Republicans were hoping for an alternative to Trump and felt the party should have offered a different candidate.

What issue was most concerning to Rick Parr, a Trump supporter in Clallam County?

Rick Parr was most concerned about rising property taxes and the allocation of government funds to conflicts abroad that he felt were not beneficial to the U.S.

How did Matthew Robertson, a Republican in Clallam County, feel about the 2024 election?

Robertson felt it was Trump's race to lose but was generally stressed about the potential for violence and fraud claims regardless of the outcome.

What was Jim Bourget's voting pattern in recent elections?

Bourget voted for Obama twice, then Trump, and then Biden, closely matching Clallam County's voting record.

Why did some voters in Clallam County express interest in third-party options?

Voters felt pressured to choose between the two main candidates and wanted more options to avoid feeling like their vote was wasted.

What were the primary concerns of the women dressed as traffic cones in Clallam County?

Their primary concerns included abortion rights, the need for a strong woman leader, and the overall negative tone of political discourse.

How did the Halloween parade mock election reflect the sentiments in Clallam County?

The mock election showed a close split between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump supporters, with a few undecided and third-party votes, mirroring the county's ideological diversity.

Chapters
The episode revisits Clallam County, known as the last true bellwether county in America, to understand the mood and decisions of its voters as they prepare to cast their votes in the 2024 election.
  • Clallam County has correctly picked the president every year since 1980.
  • Democrats were initially worried about Joe Biden's age, while some Republicans hoped for an alternative to Donald Trump.
  • Overall frustration with candidate options and political parties was evident.

Shownotes Transcript

For months now, “The Run-Up” has been traveling around the country talking with people, trying to ensure that when today came, whatever happened wouldn’t feel like a surprise.

So as people go to the polls to cast their vote for Kamala Harris, Donald Trump or someone else, we wanted to return to the place where we started almost exactly a year ago).

Clallam County, in the northwest corner of Washington State.

It’s the last true bellwether county in America. Voters there have correctly picked the president every year since 1980.

Last year, what we found in Clallam really did match the mood of the country.

Democrats were worried about Joe Biden’s age. Some Republicans were hoping they might have an option other than Donald Trump. And overall, people expressed frustration with their options and both political parties.

On Election Day, we return to Clallam to hear what’s on the minds of these voters — people whose feelings and decisions could reflect how the country votes.

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