Not Mad, Just Disappointed: Hear From Unenthused Voters
4Digest
The MPR Politics Podcast delves into the complexities of voters who disapprove of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, often referred to as "double disapprovers." Through focus groups conducted by Rich Towell, a focus group guru, the podcast reveals that these voters, primarily Trump-to-Biden voters in swing states, express stronger negative feelings towards Trump than Biden. While they lean towards Biden in a binary election, the presence of third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. complicates their voting intentions. The podcast explores the voters' perspectives on key issues like the economy, immigration, and abortion, highlighting their concerns about the state of the economy and their desire for tougher immigration policies. Despite their pro-choice stance, the focus group participants' views on abortion are nuanced, with some supporting the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade while still considering themselves pro-choice. The podcast concludes by emphasizing the importance of negative partisanship in the 2024 election, where voters are more motivated by stopping the other candidate than supporting their own. The episode highlights the unique climate of the 2024 election, characterized by widespread negativity and a sense of unease about the state of the country.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the MPR Politics Podcast and the topic of the episode: voters who disapprove of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Understanding Double Disapprovers
This Chapter explores the characteristics of voters who disapprove of both Biden and Trump, including their demographics, voting history, and feelings towards the candidates. The podcast highlights the use of focus groups to gain insights into their perspectives.
Economic Concerns and Voting Intentions
This Chapter examines the economic concerns of double disapprovers, revealing their perception of a struggling economy and their preference for Trump's economic policies. The chapter discusses the complexities of voter behavior and the influence of negative partisanship.
Immigration and Abortion: Nuanced Views
This Chapter delves into the double disapprovers' views on immigration and abortion, highlighting their support for tougher immigration laws and their pro-choice stance. The chapter explores the complexities of these issues and how they might influence voting decisions.
Keywords
Double Disapprovers
Voters who disapprove of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump. This term is often used to describe a group of voters who are dissatisfied with both major party candidates and may be more likely to vote for a third-party candidate or stay home on Election Day. They are considered a potentially decisive group in the 2024 election.
Rich Towell
A focus group guru who conducts focus groups with swing voters across the country for various news organizations. He was commissioned by MPR to conduct a focus group with double disapprovers for this podcast episode.
Negative Partisanship
A political phenomenon where voters are more motivated by stopping the other candidate than supporting their own. This is often seen as a driving force in elections, particularly when both candidates are unpopular.
Swing Voters
Voters who are considered undecided or likely to change their minds in an election. They are often located in swing states, which are states that could potentially be won by either candidate. Swing voters are crucial to winning elections, as they can determine the outcome of close races.
Third-Party Candidates
Candidates who run for office outside of the two major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans. Third-party candidates can sometimes influence the outcome of elections by drawing votes away from the major party candidates. In the 2024 election, third-party candidates like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are seen as a potential threat to Biden's re-election.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
An American environmental lawyer and activist who is running for president in the 2024 election as a Democratic candidate. He is known for his advocacy on environmental issues and his skepticism of vaccines. His candidacy is seen as a potential challenge to Biden, particularly among voters who are dissatisfied with the two major party candidates.
Roe v. Wade
A landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The decision was overturned in 2022 by the Supreme Court, returning the issue of abortion to the states. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has been a major political issue in the United States, with many people expressing strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
MPR Politics Podcast
A podcast produced by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) that covers politics and current events. The podcast features interviews with experts, analysis of political trends, and discussions of important issues.
2024 Election
The upcoming presidential election in the United States, scheduled for November 5, 2024. The election is expected to be highly contested, with both major party candidates facing challenges from third-party candidates and a growing number of voters who are dissatisfied with the status quo.
January 6th
The date in 2021 when a mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol Building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The attack was a significant event in American history, and it has continued to be a source of political debate and controversy.
Q&A
What are the key characteristics of voters who disapprove of both Biden and Trump?
These voters, often referred to as "double disapprovers," are primarily Trump-to-Biden voters in swing states. They express stronger negative feelings towards Trump than Biden, and while they lean towards Biden in a binary election, the presence of third-party candidates complicates their voting intentions.
How do double disapprovers feel about the economy and who do they trust more to manage it?
They perceive the economy as struggling and express a preference for Trump's economic policies. This highlights the influence of negative partisanship and the complexities of voter behavior.
What are the double disapprovers' views on immigration and abortion, and how might these issues influence their voting decisions?
They support tougher immigration laws and consider themselves pro-choice, but their views on abortion are nuanced, with some supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade while still considering themselves pro-choice. These complex views demonstrate the challenges of predicting voting behavior based on single issues.
How does negative partisanship play a role in the 2024 election, and what does it tell us about the climate of the election?
Negative partisanship is a major motivator for voters, who are more driven by stopping the other candidate than supporting their own. This highlights the negativity and unease surrounding the 2024 election, where voters are seeking change and are dissatisfied with the status quo.
What are some of the key takeaways from the focus groups conducted with double disapprovers?
These voters are deeply concerned about the state of the economy and the direction of the country. They are open to third-party candidates, but their voting intentions are complex and influenced by a range of factors, including negative partisanship and the perceived threat of the other candidate.
Show Notes
This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram, political correspondent Susan Davis, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.
This podcast was produced by Jeongyoon Han, Casey Morell and Kelli Wessinger. Lexie Schapitl was the story producer. Our editor is Eric McDaniel. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
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