Poll Reveals Anger Over 2016 Election

People enjoying a spring day in Central Park voiced anger, disbelief and fear over the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency when polled last week. An overwhelming majority also stated their largest concern was America’s global standing and reputation as a country, and while some feel passionately about educational reform, economic recovery and immigration policy, no sentiment was more popular than strong disapproval of the behavior of this year’s Republican candidates.

Of those surveyed, 95 percent expressed concern over the possibility of a Donald Trump presidency. Gregg Kerschner, a young professional from Pennsylvania, is not leaning strongly toward any of the candidates yet and remains unimpressed. “I feel like we’re looked at as a laughing stock at this point,” he stated. “The Republican debates...it was cringeworthy.”

55 percent of interviewees highlighted their frustration with the behavior of this year’s Republican candidates and mentioned the lack of seriousness with which they’ve approached debates and other public discourse. The biggest challenge of our country are its people,” remarked Danielle Kirk, a realtor and former campaign worker for Ben Carson. “We have an apolitical reality TV show-driven society that doesn’t educate themselves and they think that everything can be solved with an entertainer at the helm, and that’s the problem.” Kirk believes that Carson’s downfall was caused by a lack of public understanding of his quiet nature. Although the Carson campaign has ended, Kirk vowed that no other candidate will do, least of all Trump. “We are on the verge of having a malignant narcissist in the White House who will probably destroy the country,” she said. It is uncertain whom she will be supporting going forward.

15 percent of interviewees remarked on the prevalence of Trump coverage in media abroad. Reinforcing the validity of concerns over America’s global reputation, those interviewed visiting from other countries stated that a significant part of media coverage is devoted to Trump’s campaign and that there is an element of shock abroad as to what is occurring in the U.S. political system. “No serious issues dealt with, and then it’s a lot of name calling, and it’s just gotten ugly,” said Jennifer Lee, a visitor from Hong Kong. “I think economically it looks like you’re on to the right track, things are getting back to where they should be and to upset the policy now would be a shame.” A significant part of coverage abroad of the U.S. political state centers around Trump, causing some to wonder about the stability of the country. “At first they were like, should we actually care about him?” said Holly Hollister, a Brooklyn College student who came from Germany to pursue his education. “But now it turns out he leads the whole thing.” Hollister agreed that there remains disbelief in his home country toward the probability of Trump securing the presidency. He explained that many did not take Trump seriously in the beginning, but now believe he may be a growing threat.

On the issues, 15 percent of those polled believed immigration to be a pressing matter. Marly Gallardo, a Hispanic student, feels strongly about immigration policies and reform, however, she feels the issues aren’t being discussed because of the overwhelming coverage of Trump’s latest gaffes. “As much as it’s a hot topic to discuss, change hasn’t happened,” she remarked. Gallardo said she would vote for Bernie Sanders but has some reservations about the possibility of it being a “wasted vote.” “Obviously Donald Trump is not a presidential figure,” she remarked, troubled by the behavior of the Republican front-runner. “He’s distracting the audience and rattling up hatred.”

While 25 percent of interviewees expressed admiration for Sanders, not all of them are confident he is capable of winning the nomination. Echoing the sentiments of Gallardo, Kira Kikla, a Maryland graduate student, admires Sanders’ proposals and supports his campaign message of political revolution but will likely support whoever wins the Democratic nomination, believing Sanders lacks the popularity necessary to win. “I don’t think Bernie entered the race thinking he’s actually going to get the nomination,” she remarked.

Despite varied opinions on which issues are critical today, most interviewees seemed to fall ideologically into the liberal category. While ten percent were still undecided and didn’t know who would get their vote come November, the consensus was to support anyone but Trump. Some of those polled expressed that they were fed up with the attention given to his on stage antics.

While most millennials, students and young professionals praised Sanders, 15 percent of interviewees are sure of their vote for Hillary as an alternative, highlighting her experience as a major asset. These supporters were typically older. Hal Krisbergh, an ardent Hillary supporter, believes that her one problem is that “she’s just not as exciting as a Bernie or as a Trump.” “The fact is she’s a sensible, intelligent, experienced Progressive,” he remarked. “As far as I’m concerned, she continues the Obama legacy which I’m very strong for.”

A total of 20 people were interviewed, 11 men and nine women. Ten of the interviewees were in their 20s, six were in their 30s, three were in their 40s and one was in his 60s. All of those interviewed expressed left-leaning views with the exception of one woman who identified with more conservative ideologies.

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