While on tour in Central Pennsylvania, Fox News Digital spoke to a number of voters in urban and rural areas, seeking their opinions on the effects of charged political rhetoric, among other topics.
In Wakefield, a rural community just north of the Maryland line, Marsha Peterson co-owns Peterson’s Grocery Outlet with her husband.
Asked about the level of political rhetoric, Peterson said the left has spent years telling Americans that former President Trump is a threat and must be stopped.
“Then, you’ll see people on social media laughing and saying they won’t miss him (the shooting),” he said. “They want words to matter – but only the right words.”
Shapiro condemned for missile signing with Zelensky in Biden’s hometown
Marsha Peterson of Peterson’s Grocery Outlet in Lancaster County spoke with Fox News Digital (Charlie Critz/Fox News Digital)
Closer to home, Peterson said the affordability crisis has been a major issue for both him and his clients.
“We run a small grocery store, and we see exactly price rise difference From one administration to the next, even with COVID (ideas), things were not that high,” she said.
Outside a large flea market near US-222, Eric Beiser said the current issues have inspired him to run for state office in Lancaster City.
Republicans said they were originally slated to face 34-year incumbent state Rep. Mike Sturla, but they said the senior Democrat suddenly withdrew from the race in August.
He said he hopes his top issues of affordability, housing and keeping taxes low will resonate with voters in the otherwise heavily Democratic stronghold.
“The issues in Lancaster are the same issues as most of the country,” Beiser said.
Sam and Kate Mylin of Willow Street, PA, visited Quarryville to offer their suggestions on how to stop the negativity in politics.
“Especially people and politicians are saying (Trump) is a threat and he needs to be taken out,” said Sam, a retired artist. “It’s wrong. It’s just wrong. It’s not American.”
Meanwhile, Kate Mylin questioned the veracity of claims that inflation is declining. He recently noticed disparities in costs.
Criss-crossing PA to register voters, Scott Pressler says he’s ‘moving the needle’ to flip counties
Sam and Kate Mylin from Willow Street, PA, spoke to Fox News Digital. (Charlie Critz/Fox News Digital)
“Goes down on gas. But then your eggs are $5 a dozen? Give me a break.”
Sam Mylin said he wants to hear the truth from politicians about whether our troops are actually not at war.
“Right now we have more wars than ever before. And supposedly the soldiers aren’t in the war zone, but I see they are. And it’s all lies, man. It is. All these lies from the left. Coming. And that’s really dishonest in itself,” he said.
“The second thing is that housing affordability for people is ridiculous. So something has to change,” he said, noting that he and his wife are supporting Trump.
Tim Gochenour and Michelle Williams of rural Christiana traveled west to East Drumore Township to visit the Solanco Fairgrounds.
Both believed that political rhetoric played a role in Trump being targeted for assassination twice.
“They are provoking these people,” Gochenour said. “Someone may be a little bit behind in the beginning and that’s what pushes them in that direction.”
asked about electoral fairness, Williams said the tabulation would be “as fair as they’ll let it be – the system has to be fair.”
,The way the laws are made, it is for integrity. And this is a founding principle of our country – to have fair and reasonable voting. But if this is not done then it will not be a fair election.”
At the other end of Harrisburg Pike, in the capital of the same name, a man who goes by the name “Minister Fifty” was speaking while waiting for a bus near the downtown Hilton Hotel.
“Is this a rhetorical question?” Minister Fifty responded when asked about political rhetoric inciting malicious behavior.
Minister Fifty spoke to Fox News Digital in Harrisburg last week. (Fox News Digital)
“Common sense tells us, of course, that this is having an impact – any kind of disinterested communication will never be helpful,” he said.
“So when we resort to things other than the issues and then we become active in a dark way toward other people or non-issues, things get blurry and things go astray and then we forget that What is the real goal.”
“We also have an opportunity to show the world and everyone else that America is built on decency…” Minister Fifty countered.
He said he believed the elections would be truly fair, describing the national structure as “too big to fail”.
Lisa of Harrisburg said she is a proud “Black woman for Donald J. Trump,” adding that, in her words, it’s important to “maintain a blessed attitude” and remember “the golden rule —” when it comes to political rhetoric. Do unto others as they would do unto you.”
“Both sides could really use more tolerance toward the other side,” said Lisa, who declined to appear on camera but agreed to have her comments audibly recorded.
“I’m trying to get the best candidate to win,” she said.
Pam Hover, a former Republican who was enjoying a twilight trip along the Susquehanna River Trail, said she had become dissatisfied with the GOP because of its “insane rhetoric,” but said both sides on this front Something can be said.
she said trump “A lot of people were hurt” by claims of immigrants eating pets in Ohio, and – as a person with a disability – was horrified by Trump’s first bid by a situation in which he was mocked by a New York Times reporter. The person accused of blowing was suffering from a disability. Congenital skeletal conditions.
However, Trump denied this claim and said that he did not know about Serge Kovaleski’s disability. Only his “wanderer” manner impressed The situation he was describing.
Hower said disability issues as well as Medicare and Medicaid solvency are important to his vote.
She said that although she has gone hunting with family members and grew up around legal firearms, she disagrees with the availability of semiautomatic rifles given the number of school and public shootings in recent years.
“My daughter is a speech therapist at an elementary school. I’m terrified for her. And I know that going to school has an impact on the way she thinks. And I don’t want her to have to be afraid all the time.” day,” she said.
“I don’t have a problem with guns because I grew up with them. I have a problem with assault rifles. I have a problem with access to them,” she said.
Asked about the housing crisis, Hover said one aspect of it is being ignored by the media and candidates. He said, as a person with a disability, only 5% of new housing requires wheelchair access.
“So we’re in a severe phase of housing shortage in this country. In Pennsylvania, it’s really terrible. But also for people with disabilities all across the country.”
“I am hope for kamala“I’m doing everything I can because (Trump) scares me a lot.”
Rudolph, of Harrisburg, said the fiery political rhetoric is “normal.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
“I think every year the actions get dirtier. And so what are we fighting for? And I don’t really understand the whole process because everybody knows – smart people know anyway – that the popular vote is the election. The president doesn’t. It’s the electoral college,” he said.
As for some of the threats against Trump, Rudolph suggested that some aspects may have been “staged” because the Republican is a “good marketer.”
However, Rudolph also praised some of Trump’s actions during his first term:
“He pitted us against China. And so he has some good ideas. But his rhetoric is creating division among people. And that’s not a good thing because, you know, I’ve got white friends. I’ve got black friends. “Meet friends.” I got green friends, I mean,” he fumed.
“No one will trust anyone,” he said.
“I’m going (with) democratic ticketIt’s the lesser of two evils.”
Fox News Digital’s Matteo Cina contributed to this report,
