cover of episode Three Undecided Voters, Two Swing States, One Big Decision

Three Undecided Voters, Two Swing States, One Big Decision

2024/9/16
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This chapter explores the reactions of Bob and Sharon Reed, two undecided voters in Pennsylvania, to the presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Despite being lifelong Republicans, they express reservations about both candidates and find neither candidate's economic policies or stance on immigration satisfactory. Their concerns about Trump's temperament and actions surrounding January 6th remain, while Harris fails to offer specific plans that resonate with their economic anxieties.
  • The Reeds are retired schoolteachers in Pennsylvania, a key swing state.
  • They are lifelong Republicans but are open to voting for a Democrat.
  • They are concerned about inflation and the economy.
  • They are also concerned about immigration and the war in Ukraine.
  • They found neither candidate's debate performance convincing enough to make a decision.

Shownotes Transcript

From the moment Donald Trump and Kamala Harris walked off the debate stage, both their campaigns have argued about who won the showdown.

But the real question is what the debate meant to a small sliver of voters in a handful of swing states.

Campbell Robertson, a reporter on The Times’s National desk, and Stella Tan, a producer on “The Daily,” speak to three undecided voters about what they saw during the debate, and how much closer it brought them to a decision.

Guest: 

  • ​​Campbell Robertson), a reporter for the National desk at The New York Times, who has been tracking undecided voters in Pennsylvania.
  • Stella Tan), an audio producer for “The Daily,” who spoke to an undecided voter in Wisconsin.

Background reading: 

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily). Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.