Video: Watson/Ralph Steiner, Lucas Zollinger
ralph on the road
The United States will make a decision within 10 days. Donald Trump and Kamala Harris tour the country almost non-stop to mobilize the last remaining voters. Watson attended a campaign event. Americans' concerns are enormous, as are their frustrations and anger. Report from Georgia.
October 27, 2024 05:28October 27, 2024 13:57
Ralph Steiner, Georgia
Duluth and Clarkston are just a 45-minute drive apart, but at least this week, the two Georgia cities could not be more different.
Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Duluth on Wednesday and Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally in Clarkston on Thursday.
Both presidential candidates are in Georgia because the densely populated Southern state is one of seven swing states in the upcoming election. The race is absolutely open; Trump currently leads Harris by one percentage point (49% to 48%), according to the New York Times poll.
In terms of content, Trump and Harris’ appearances did not yield any new insights. Both lived a normal life. It’s more exciting to focus on your surroundings and what your constituents care about. Whether it’s style, language or mood – the difference is huge. an impression.
The Trump Camp: Economy and Immigration
On-site discussions showed that the concerns of the Trump camp mainly revolved around the economy, immigration and confrontation.
Trump supporter Wendy said: “I don't believe in transsexuality, woke ideology and the indoctrination of children. These are mental illnesses that need treatment.” She warned about the future under a Democratic administration:
“If Kamala Harris is elected, America will become Venezuela 2.0.”
Wendy's T-shirt reads: God, Guns and Trump.Image: Watson
When asked about the most pressing issue right now, Dustin responded: “The economy, the economy, the economy.” But things are going well under Trump — whom he, like every other supporter, calls Trump “the economy, the economy, the economy.” Trump described him as a capable businessman: “Donald Trump wants to make us rich and prosperous and give us the opportunity to get it.” Dustin's attitude toward Democrats is completely different:
“I hope Trump takes tough action against these corrupt scum.”
If Kamala Harris is elected, Dustin will consider emigrating, such as B. to Bali.Image: Watson
Tom is particularly concerned about immigration: “Our country is filled with illegal immigrants who have no right to be here.” Trump voters exasperated:
“Look at the crime rate in Venezuela, it's zero. You know why? Because all the criminals are with us.”
Tony travels with his partner Marybeth and has voted for both parties in the past. However, the Democrats have lost their way, which is why he is now in the Republican camp. He praised Trump's commitment to the country:
“He's a wealthy man and doesn't have to do these things anymore. But he cares about the well-being of the country and I appreciate that.”
Here's what Trump fans said at Duluth rally:
Video: Watson/Ralph Steiner, Lucas Zollinger
Camp Harris: Abortion and Social Justice
For Kamala Harris supporters, things are a little different in Clarkston. The main issues are abortion and women's rights and social security and justice. Human resources expert Elizabeth worries:
“The thought of getting pregnant under Donald Trump terrifies me. If something goes wrong, I want to be empowered to make decisions about my body.”
To Elizabeth, Kamala Harris is a true American who loves her country. Image: Watson
“It brings the middle class back to where it should be, with things like home buying subsidies,” said Patty, a Harris supporter who wants more taxes on billionaires. There's nothing Patty can do about Donald Trump:
“He divides the country, he is evil, a criminal and a rapist. Those who still support him must have hatred in their hearts.”
Sam is a carpenter and a member of the Carpenters Union. He supports Kamala Harris because she champions craftsmanship. Sam hopes his union will receive additional funding under Harris. Under Trump, this is less certain:
“If Trump is elected, that money may go elsewhere. It's hard to live with that uncertainty.”
Sam was a carpenter, union member and recruited young men.Image: Watson
Pensioner Jan will also vote for Kamala Harris on November 5. “I’ve been a Republican my whole life,” she emphasized. “But I will never vote for Donald Trump.” It was the conflict of goals that turned Jane into a Democratic voter:
“I used to think I could represent both economically conservative and socially liberal values.”
However, neither method works. “I had to make a decision and place greater emphasis on social liberal values.”
Here's what Harris supporters said at the Clarkston rally:
Video: Watson/Ralph Steiner, Lucas Zollinger
atmosphere
The gap between the two campaigns is considerable, not only in terms of political preferences and forms of expression, but also in terms of style and mood.
Trump's rhetoric and rude behavior have led to tensions at Duluth rallies for years.
His supporters wore T-shirts with slogans such as “Say no to hoes” or “Hoes are as bad as Joe.” Some people chant adult slogans around them and often use the wrong tone during interviews.
Trump's sometimes scandalous past has been obscured. Benjamin, a first-time voter, called for decent interactions with political opponents, but the fact that Donald Trump is a convicted criminal doesn't faze the 19-year-old:
“We've all had problems in the past and no one is perfect. It's more important to serve the common good.”
Benjamin (right) attended a Trump rally in Duluth with his roommate.Image: Watson
Tom also emphasized in Duluth that the well-being of the country is more important to him than Trump's personal life. Echoing Trump's earlier statement, he said:
“If he wants to reach into a vagina, we as president should give him one.”
Tom, a Trump supporter, said personal things are private.Image: Watson
Of course, Democratic voters at the Clarkston rally weren't afraid to express their opinions. Patty called Trump a “rapist,” and Jerome said: “He's a racist, a fascist and a narcissist, and I can't stand for someone like that.”
Patty asked herself: “If you hear what Trump says and see what he does, how can you still support him?”Image: Watson
However, the basic tone of the Democratic Party is civilized, the language is appropriate, and the atmosphere is the same as political activities, lively but never intense.
Mold organization
Beyond his verbal duplicity, Donald Trump relies on a genuine cult of personality, which was on display again at the Duluth rally.
One disappointed Trump supporter reported on Instagram that she and her friends had waited in line for three hours. They did not enter the arena. It is said that thousands of people returned without success.
Not everyone can share the stage with Trump.Image: trapezoid
Later in the afternoon, organizers began reminding people waiting in line that it was unlikely they would still be able to see Trump perform live on stage. Reporter Watson also watched the rally via livestream despite having a ticket. Journalist accreditation application rejected.
It's impossible to say whether the situation in Duluth can be explained by Trump's deliberate overbooking of the rally. However, there have been reports that at past Trump events, more tickets were given away than seats were available. Beyond that, Trump has repeatedly said his appearances draw larger crowds than his opponents.
Things were completely different in Clarkston the next day. It is also possible for Swiss journalists to obtain accreditation there. Press passes are issued spontaneously on site without prior registration. Just wait patiently for the Secret Service sniffer dogs to check all the media staff's equipment.
To this end, the Harris campaign’s communication skills need to be improved. The incident was not officially confirmed for a long time; the location of the incident, a football field in Clarkston, was only announced the night before.
One American photographer who followed Harris around the country often felt nervous: “The Harris campaign's communication was terrible, the Trump team's planning was better controlled.”
in conclusion
Attending both rallies shows what a polarized country the United States is right now. Even Democratic voters are more inclined toward political cooperation; neither side seems willing to make enough political concessions.
Kamala Harris during a rally in Houston, Texas. Image: trapezoid
Meanwhile, the campaign between the two candidates continues. Donald Trump has announced seven more rallies, with stops in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada.
Kamala Harris is visiting the swing states of Pennsylvania and Michigan and will also give a speech in Washington, D.C., a week before Election Day, according to media reports
