The Daily

Three Undecided Voters, Two Swing States, One Big Decision

Sep 16, 2024

Campbell Robertson, a National desk reporter at The New York Times, and Stella Tan, an audio producer, explore the minds of undecided voters post-debate in crucial swing states. They capture the mixed feelings of a Pennsylvania couple, illustrating their anxieties about economic policies and leadership. Emily, a lifelong Republican feels disillusioned by her party's choices. The conversation not only highlights frustrations but also touches on the complexities of reproductive rights and the ongoing search for civil discourse and clarity in a polarized political landscape.

31:53

Creator website

Episode guests

Campbell Robertson

Stella Tan

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Undecided voters in swing states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are dissatisfied with the presidential candidates' responses to economic concerns, especially inflation.

The recent debate failed to provide practical solutions for critical issues, reinforcing skepticism among undecided voters about both Trump and Harris.

Deep dives

Congressional and Security Insights

The FBI is investigating an attempted assassination of former President Trump while he was golfing in West Palm Beach. Secret Service agents detected an armed man hiding near the course, leading to an exchange of gunfire before the suspect fled but was later apprehended. The suspect, identified as Ryan Wesley Routh, had previously volunteered as a fighter in Ukraine against Russia, raising concerns about his motives and mental state. A rifle, camera, and backpacks were found at the scene, but it remains uncertain if the suspect fired any shots.

Hope for Clarity in Debate

00:24

Navigating Beliefs Amidst Division

01:23

Intro

2min

The Dilemma of Undecided Voters

14min

Voter Perspectives and Election Uncertainty

3min

Frustrations of an Undecided Voter

7min

Navigating the Complexities of Reproductive Rights

2min

Navigating Political Identity

3min

Navigating Voter Decisions and Political Tensions

4min

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:

Voters said the vice president talked about a sweeping vision to fix the country’s most stubborn problems. But they wanted to hear more.
“The Run-Up”: Here’s what undecided voters are thinking.

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

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.