Democrats Need To Understand Why Obama Voters Now Back Trump

It might come as a surprise, but in some parts of the country voters who backed President Barack Obama in 2012 went to the polls to cast their ballots for Donald Trump four years later. Although Democrats have yet to pick their candidate to go toe to toe with Trump next year, if their nominee wants to win the White House it is crucial to understand why this happened.

A focus group conducted in Saginaw County, Mich., aimed to figure out where these swing voters placed their support in today’s volatile political climate. While the Engagious/PGP-organized group, consisting of those who voted for Obama in 2012 and later backed Trump wasn’t a scientific poll, it proves insightful to understanding what struggles Trump’s 2020 opponent will face – especially because Saginaw County is a crucial battleground in the key swing state of Michigan.

“I think she’s [Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)] wasting a lot of money on a ghost chase,” said one man.

Referring to Democrats in Congress, another said, “they are just working to basically preserve their own position.”

In 2012, Obama won Saginaw County by 12 percent. Four years later, Trump took the county, albeit by a slim 1 percent. Even still, Democrats need to take notice of how swing voters in key states are seeing the impeachment process and, in general, how the as-yet-to-be-decided presidential candidate must run to beat Trump next fall.

For many focus group participants, it was clear that Trump’s abrasive personality wasn’t a deal-breaker – for a few, it was even seen as a positive. The general consensus was that while Trump’s demeanor is off-putting, most said that it is now how American politics are conducted, for better or worse. For Democrats keen on not going that route, it could ultimately prove to be a problem.

Trump’s “I don’t give a s--- attitude” is appealing, said one person.

Trump’s economic policies, while controversial, seem to have left a very positive impression for some focus group participants. Some pointed out his tax cuts as making a positive impact on their families by making it easier to pay for medical prescriptions.

This is just a small window into the voters Democrats might need to win over if they are to retake the White House next year. If the Democratic nominee can do this – Trump may be in trouble in 2020.