Transcript:
The Inside Story: USA Votes 2024: Closing Arguments
Episode 168 – October 31, 3024
Show Open:
Unidentified Narrator:
This week on The Inside Story
With the election just days away, the presidential candidates make their final case to voters with control of the white house and both houses of congress at stake.
Now on The Inside Story… Closing Arguments
The Inside Story:
KATHERINE GYPSON, VOA Correspondent:
Hello and welcome to The Inside Story I’m Katherine Gypson from Washington.
Every four years it comes down to this, as millions of Americans vote to choose the next President.
In this final week, the two candidates held events designed to gain last-minute support and also lay out their competing visions for the country... VOA’s Carolyn Presutti has more.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI, VOA Senior Washington Correspondent:
In this final week, the presidential campaigns take on the air of a court case.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Nominee:
Are you better off now than you were four years ago?
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
These are closing arguments. With voters acting as the jury until Tuesday. Former President Donald Trump making his case about the economy and immigration in Madison Square Garden, the epicenter of New York City.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Nominee:
Kamala Harris has shattered our middle class.
After years of building up foreign nations, defending foreign borders and protecting foreign lands, we are finally going to build up our country, defend our borders and protect our citizens. It's called America first.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
The 20-thousand seat arena was packed. Some voters waited overnight to get in.
Virginia Avery, Attended Trump Rally:
It would be really cool to have a role model, but honestly I think Trump would do a good job with the administration and foreign affairs.
Nazim Karim, Attended Trump Rally:
He’s outspoken, he’s unscripted and he resonates with me.
Carol Vasquez, Attended Trump Rally:
I really see that Trump is going to take us to the next level.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
For her rebuttal, Vice President Kamala Harris chose the Ellipse in Washington, with the backdrop of the White House — the future home for one of the presidential contenders.
Kamala Harris, Democratic Presidential Nominee:
It is time for a new generation of leadership in America.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Harris laid out her own vision for America, seeking to strike a contrast with Trump.
Kamala Harris, Democratic Presidential Nominee:
It is time to turn the page on the drama and the conflict.
I will enact the first ever federal ban on price gouging on groceries. Cap the price of insulin and limit out of pocket prescription costs for all Americans.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Again, tens of thousands attended.
Angela Coleman, Attended Harris Rally:
The first woman president -- I would love to see that in my lifespan.
Deavid Demattia, Attended Harris Rally:
I am a gay man and me, personally, I like to keep my rights.
Alicia Rau, Attended Harris Rally:
She supports abortion rights, pro-choice, a woman’s right to choose, and I believe that she will ensure there’s not a national abortion ban enacted under her presidency.
Given how close the race is, the election may be too close to call on Tuesday night. Lawsuits are already underway in some states over ballot counting and voter eligibility.
Carolyn Presutti, VOA News, on the Ellipse.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Former U.S. president Donald Trump and many of his supporters still falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen... and despite lack of evidence say the Democrats could try to rig the upcoming election in favor of Vice President Harris. Today, Democratic and Republican election officials in the swing state of Michigan are working together to ensure their citizens’ votes are correct, and secure. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara brings us this story from battleground Michigan.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA, VOA White House Bureau Chief:
This was the scene in Detroit, Michigan, on Election Day 2020.
Unidentified:
Stop the count! Stop the count!
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Supporters of Donald Trump, fueled by his baseless claims of election fraud, pressured officials to stop counting votes.
Many Trump supporters in Michigan are worrying about fraud in the upcoming election.
Marvin Minton, Trump Supporter:
Right now, our government, you're going to question everything about it. I mean, I wish I could say differently, but that's not how America feels. We don't trust nobody.
Angelica Kandow, Trump Supporter:
One case! One case is enough to question the whole system.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Allegations that the 2020 election was rigged have been repeatedly debunked in U.S. courts.
But disinformation around election integrity has gained traction among Republicans. Polls show they are more likely to trust Trump over government-certified election results.
Officials in battleground states are working to assure voters that the election process is secure. They say disinformation can be dangerous.
Jonathan Brater, Michigan Bureau of Elections:
They can in some cases lead to people making threats to election officials or worse. But even if it doesn't result in any sort of physical violence, it does undermine trust long term in the election system, which is bad for our republic and is bad for our democracy.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
In many states, Republicans support efforts to assure voters that elections are secure. Including Justin Roebuck, a Republican election official in Ottawa County, Michigan. He says it’s an uphill battle.
Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County Clerk:
Our political leaders at every level need to also seek facts and to seek data. And I think until that happens, we will have a problem in terms of our confidence and trust in the process.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
In Michigan, Trump loyalists have already sued Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, over absentee ballot processing guidelines and the voter registration list.
Pete Hoekstra, Michigan Republican Party Chairperson:
If Jocelyn Benson is not responding to what is required under the law, we will take her to court to get the courts to compel her to do that.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Benson dismissed it as a Republican campaign strategy.
Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State:
In general, we see lawsuits masquerading as a legal strategy when they're really a PR strategy to get misinformation or sow seeds of doubt about our elections into the narrative.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
Republicans and Democrats have launched election-related lawsuits in various battleground states, which could mean chaos in the November election.
Kim Wyman, Bipartisan Policy Center:
Any kind of legal challenge happening this close to an election, typically, is lawyers putting a placeholder in case they may not win in a state or may not have an outcome they like, and it gives them the ability to challenge the election after the fact.
PATSY WIDAKUSWARA:
There are other potential disruptions, including efforts by county officials who support Trump to delay election certification.
Patsy Widakuswara, VOA News, Flint, Michigan.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
As we’ve reported in the past, it’s not just the presidency and vice presidency on the ballot November fifth... Every member of the House of Representatives and 34 Senate races are also being decided next week. And whichever political party controls the House of Representatives, or the Senate will prove essential in enacting the new president’s agenda.
Donna West, a longtime Democrat activist, does not just organize voters for Vice President Kamala Harris from her Las Vegas, Nevada, garage… she says she is also fighting to make sure Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen keeps her U.S. Senate seat.
Donna West, Nevada Voter:
The more we can get out and talk to the voters, the more confident I am that we will restore Jackie to the Senate and take that majority.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Nevada is one of just a handful of U.S. states nationwide with competitive Senate races that will determine if Democrats or Republicans hold the majority. Democrats currently hold a slim majority with 51 seats. Rosen’s challenger, Sam Brown — who was injured while serving in Afghanistan — says it is time for change in Washington.
Sam Brown, Republican Senate Candidate:
We've got an economy to go square away. Look, there's things we can do, from the housing to our energy policy. We've got to go after this border situation.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
In Texas — traditionally a stronghold for Republicans — polls show a close race between Democrat Colin Allred and Republican Senator Ted Cruz. In their debate last week, Allred challenged Cruz on the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Colin Allred, Democratic Senate Candidate:
This election is his accountability. You cannot just be patriotic when your side wins.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Cruz pushed back on that argument.
Senator Ted Cruz, Republican:
You don't hear him talking about the Antifa and Black Lives Matter riots that burned cities across this country.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
And in the rural state of Montana, Democratic Senator Jon Tester faces a challenge from Republican Tim Sheehy. At the Democratic National Convention earlier this year, a delegate said that many voters in the state may vote for former president and Republican candidate Donald Trump but will keep a Democrat in the Senate.
Mary Jo O’Rourke, Montana Voter:
Senator Tester has delivered for us in terms of the Farm Bill, and we are way too smart to let that go.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
But at the Republican National Convention, delegates said Tester’s liberal voting record is not right for the state.
Susan Reneau, Montana Voter:
Tim Sheehy is a real veteran. He is a combat hero. He is a Navy SEAL.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Control of the U.S. House of Representatives could also potentially flip — moving from Republican-control to the Democrats. All 435 house seats are up for re-election this year.
The United States was famously founded as a nation free of government interference into or advocacy of any specific religion. Today, however, there some U.S. voters believe one religion should guide the nation’s laws.
Here again, Senion Wasington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Two rallies. Two different views. This is the “Rally for Democracy,’ supporting all religions.
This one, is the ReAwaken America Tour.
Unidentifed:
Jesus is my savior; Donald Trump is my president.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Now in its third year, the tour supports Christian nationalism, the idea that the United States is a Christian country and should have laws reflecting that.
Diane Bollinger, Rally Attendee:
I will gladly be a Christian nationalist. Because what can you say against Christianity? And they talk about ‘I’m following the God of love, I’m following my life after Jesus, and I love my country.’ MAGA: Make America Great Again. What is wrong with that?
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Nothing, says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Nominee:
Together we are warriors in a righteous crusade to stop the arsonists, the atheists, globalists and the Marxists, and that is what they are. And we will restore a republic as one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
Patty Kinsinger, Rally Attendee:
Our country was built on Christian and Judeo values and principles. That’s how they wrote the Constitution.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
America’s Constitution does not mention Christianity. Instead, it grants freedom of religion. The Declaration of Independence says rights are provided by a creator and mentions “Nature’s God.”
Still, ministers at The ReAwaken America Tour take an oath to preach voting for godly candidates.
Democrats say that’s a violation of the constitutional separation between church and state.
Mary Jo O’Rourke, Montana Democrat:
The ministers really need to look and talk to their congregations about what it means to have liberty and justice for all.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Others at the Rally for Democracy agree and some call for a debate on the teachings of Jesus.
Rev. Jim Wallis, Georgetown University:
What did he say? What did he do? Because this kind of message that wants to attack immigrants and cause most suffering to the poor and vulnerable is literally a movement that is anti-Christ.
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
Add to that the abortion debate….
Kamala Harris, Democratic Presidential Nominee:
And let us all agree: one does not have to abandon their faith or deeply held beliefs to agree that government should not be telling her what to do.'
Unidentified:
USA! USA! USA!
CAROLYN PRESUTTI:
A Pew Research survey found nearly half of all Americans think the Bible should have an influence on U.S. laws. But the same survey found few think Christianity should be named the nation’s official religion.
Carolyn Presutti, VOA News.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Scattered across the country, approximately 14 million voters are members of labor unions. While this is a relatively small portion of the electorate, presidential candidates actively seek their endorsements. Recently, I traveled to Nevada, a state where unions could wield significant influence in this year's presidential election, to gain insight into how union members plan to vote.
At a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris…excitement among union workers for her plan to end taxes on tips or gratuities that workers receive.
Kanie Kastroll, Casino Workers Union Representative:
I know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a plan — a clear plan — to end federal taxes on tips for us service workers here in Nevada. That's right, that's right. And that Donald Trump pretending he is the tipped worker savior is a dangerous lie.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump has also visited this city that relies on the service industry to promote his plan of no taxes on tips for casino dealers, waitresses and housekeepers.
Didi Lima, Nevada Trump Voter:
That is going to be adored by the employees, by all of the employees, particularly that don't have salaries, and (who) work on tips. That's going to be loved by them.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Trump has also earned the support of the Las Vegas Police Department.
Steve Grammas, Las Vegas Police Protective Association:
The majority of our citizens trust law enforcement. And so, if law enforcement says, ‘Hey, we believe this person has our best interests at heart, that they're going to keep you safe, that they're going to try and make our economy thrive,’ then people trust what we say.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Grammas has spoken about Trump’s support for law enforcement at numerous rallies.
Steve Grammas, Las Vegas Police Protective Association:
A man like Donald Trump and his campaign has always stood by us and said, ‘No, I'm not going to bend to the winds of politics.’
KATHERINE GYPSON:
The endorsement of the tens of thousands of union workers employed in Nevada is eagerly sought by presidential candidates.
Harris also earned the endorsement of the local Teamsters union, but the national organization of freight drivers and warehouse workers declined to endorse either presidential candidate.
Some voters here in Nevada see that as an important sign.
Edward Kammer, Nevada Trump Voter:
They [[the Teamsters]] always, always went Democratic. So now, if they're not doing Democratic, that means they must be leaning towards who? Trump.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
But the Culinary Workers Union in Las Vegas did endorse Harris.
Ted Pappageorge, Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union:
Working class voters are smart, they're not dumb, and they are a little skeptical. But the problem with President Trump is that he lies, and he lies a lot. ... However, Vice President Harris — this is part of an overall program to tackle the cost of living.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
And they’re knocking on doors to let voters know…
Unidentified:
We're just canvassing for Kamala Harris.
OK. We're all voting for her.
Claudia Monreal, Culinary Workers Union:
Big corporations (are) coming in and price gouging us on food, gas, rent. So having the right candidate in office, you know, telling them the correct information, what I know as facts, that Kamala is going to be there for us, the middle class, the union members.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Union members here in Nevada - one of just a handful of swing states that decide the presidential election - could end up casting the deciding vote.
Another powerhouse group at the polls: first-time voters. These young Americans are ready to make their mark, with millions having turned 18 since 2020. Known as Gen Z, they are eager to dive into the voting process and play a role in shaping their future. Here’s VOA’s Laurel Bowman with more.
LAUREL BOWMAN, VOA Correspondent:
Student leaders at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, recently set up a mock polling booth, with sample ballots, and invited election officials to conduct voter education.
It’s an effort to get students ready to vote in the November U.S. presidential election.
Britney Green, Mock Polling Organizer:
Today’s event was all about voter education and letting people see the polls, see what they were going to experience at the polls …
LAUREL BOWMAN:
Participants like Akhyan Damang seem appreciative.
Akhyan Damang, Mock Polling Participant:
I just wanted to see how it feels like voting the first time. This is my first time voting for the presidential election, and I wanted to see the procedure.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
These young voters care about a range of issues.
Nnamdi Ifejuka, Mock Polling Participant:
Financial issues with the debt of the country. I don't really understand much of it, but if I look at it, it looks like a big number. I don’t understand why it’s that high.
Libby McClayton, Mock Polling Organizer:
I would say climate change is important, reproductive rights.
Mhambi Musonda, Student Political Organizer:
I think for many people, America’s role in the world is a very important issue particularly for young voters.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
In the U.S. presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris, most of the students we interviewed would not reveal who they’ll be voting for.
But the U.S. state of Maryland, a stronghold for Democrats, is expected to go for Harris.
So we asked the head of the Georgia Young Republicans, Jacquelyn Harn, what issues matter to her Republican peers. For many, she said, it’s about the economy.
Jacquelyn Harn, Georgia Young Republicans Chairwoman:
Between housing, between inflation with grocery prices and gas prices ever increasing, it’s unaffordable to live and have a family right now.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
And how should campaigns go about reaching young voters?
Jacquelyn Harn, Georgia Young Republicans Chairwoman:
You are not going to reach a Gen Z voter with a phone bank or phone calling because they probably have a spam blocker on their phone or they are just not going to answer a number they don’t know. We are a social media generation. Everything that we look at is on social media. We get our news from social media.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
Democratic social media influencer Harry Sisson agrees.
Harry Sisson, Social Media Influencer:
I would say primarily the main news app for young people is probably TikTok. That’s my main platform. I think it’s mostly because it’s digestible. A lot of these news segments you see on TikTok are 30 to 60 seconds.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
Meantime, in Herndon, Virginia, Kamala Harris supporter Camila Alfonzo Meza goes house to house trying to encourage people to vote for her candidate. They don’t always open the door, but she keeps at it.
Unidentified:
Hi! Definitely Harris Supporters.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
She says that Harris replacing President Joe Biden in the presidential race was invigorating for young Democrats.
Camila Alfonzo Meza, Fairfax Young Democrats Co-president:
I have seen a big shift in energy and enthusiasm since the vice president became the nominee.
LAUREL BOWMAN:
Alfonzo Meza thinks the Gen Z voting block of over 40 million young people could make a real difference in the presidential election.
Laurel Bowman, VOA News.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
Now- we turn to our regular segment on Press Freedom. With threats and attacks on journalists in the U.S. on the rise and the election now just days away, media associations look to train journalists on how to stay safe. From VOA’s Press Freedom Team, Liam Scott and Cristina Caicedo Smit have the story. Smit narrates.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT, VOA Press Freedom Correspondent:
In an office building in Rosslyn, Virginia, these journalists are preparing to cover the U.S. election.
But their training is not in swing states or polling …
It is focused instead on keeping safe: physically, digitally and emotionally.
The workshops are part of an initiative by the International Women’s Media Foundation, or IWMF. Trainers say the idea is to be prepared.
They teach journalists how to avoid being a target, how to read a crowd at a protest, and how to keep their digital profiles secure.
Elisa Lees Muñoz, IWMF Executive Director:
The IWMF started the new Safety Across America initiative because we have the experience of the last election, and we knew that the incidents would continue in this election and probably potentially be even more severe.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT:
Hostility directed at reporters during the January 6 insurrection, and a rise in assaults on media, drove the IWMF to take its workshop on the road. It has reached 600 journalists in 11 states.
The training is timely. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker is seeing a rise in assaults, arrests and attacks on media in 2024, says managing editor Kirstin McCudden.
Kirstin McCudden, US Press Freedom Tracker:
We've seen a large number of journalists assaulted this year, 68, nearly 70 journalists assaulted.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT:
Earlier this year the Press Freedom Tracker reported that the number of journalists detained has doubled in comparison to last year. These incidents have occurred while reporters are covering the Israel-Hamas protests in the United States.
Kirstin McCudden, US Press Freedom Tracker:
But what we know, it's a tense time in the U.S., across all the cities. And it really, you know, it harkens back a little bit to 2020, where we saw an unprecedented amount of journalists assaulted, more than 640, (and) nearly 150 journalists arrested that year.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT:
Those events prompted a more proactive approach by newsrooms in the U.S., where the common thread was that reporters needed to be ready.
Jennifer Thomas, Howard University Associate Media Professor:
This training is a wonderful opportunity for us as journalists to learn some of those tools and some of those intangibles we may not know or may need refreshers on, as it pertains to this upcoming election season or the season that we're in.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT:
And it is not just coverage of elections and protests that poses a danger. The IWMF has found risks to media can appear anywhere.
Elisa Lees Muñoz, IWMF Executive Director:
Every beat in America has become a polarizing beat, and therefore has become a dangerous beat.
CRISTINA CAICEDO SMIT:
With hostility to media on the rise, safety training workshops are one way to help keep journalists safe.
With Liam Scott, Cristina Caicedo Smit, VOA News.
KATHERINE GYPSON:
That’s all for now. Thanks for watching.
For the latest news you can log on to VOA news dot com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at VOA News.
For more VOA content, follow me on X at XXX. Also, you can catch up on past episodes of The Inside Story at our free streaming service, VOA Plus.
I’m Katherine Gypson in Washington. We will see you next week, for The Inside Story.
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