NEW DELHI: In Chattanooga, Tennessee, tensions around the upcoming presidential election are high, as seen in a recent street interview conducted by Rohan Dua, Executive Editor of The New Indian. Dua’s on-the-ground reporting highlighted the stark divisions among voters, particularly between supporters of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Among the locals interviewed was Ben, a Chattanooga lawyer, who passionately defended his decision to support Harris. “I did vote for Kamala already; I would greatly prefer her as president,” he stated with conviction.
ALSO READ: Tennesse women want Kamala, Trump equally
When asked about Trump’s handling of various crises, Ben acknowledged some of Trump’s contributions, particularly his funding of COVID-19 vaccine development, but criticized his overall management of the pandemic. “There were mistakes on all sides,” he reflected, adding that, in hindsight, both Trump and the Biden administration could have handled certain issues differently. Ben’s strong support for Harris stems from his belief in the current Democratic approach, though he admits, “People are very different. Everybody’s in their silo.”
Dua also engaged other Chattanooga residents, some of whom were staunch in their support for Harris. Mary, a pro-Democrat, shared her frustrations with Trump’s prior term, pointing to his failure to effect meaningful change, particularly in comparison to Biden’s economic progress. “We are much better off than we were four years ago,” she declared, dismissing claims that Biden’s policies have worsened the economy. Meanwhile, another participant, Susan Wiser, emphasized Harris’s progressive stance, saying, “Kamala, absolutely. She’s going forward, not back.” This sentiment resonates among many Harris supporters who view her as a candidate pushing for progress on key issues.
ALSO READ: Manchester City stunned by Bournemouth as Liverpool takes Premier League top spot
However, not everyone in Chattanooga sees Harris as the ideal leader. A resident named Natalie expressed a firm belief in Trump’s leadership, specifically on economic grounds. “We had a great economy under Trump; I don’t understand why anyone would want the same economy we’ve had these last four years,” she remarked.