Survey results are in. Here’s what local Republicans, Democrats are saying ahead of 2020 presidential election – Gainesville Times

What Republicansare saying

Jim Brown,57, of Gainesville,cites religious liberty as one of his top issues. Jim Brown

Im a Christian,and I think its obviously important to worship as I choose, he said.

Replacinglate Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburgties into his ideals.Im conservative, and I like to make sure my views are adhered to on the Supreme Court, Brown said.

The economy is important for me, being a small business owner, he said.The Democrats are going to tax me to death. Ive lived through both (parties in control), and I know what happens there. Itend toside with the Republican because they tax less.

He said he favors Trump because he is a conservative and hes the one on the Republican ticket. Is he perfect? No, hes not perfect, but as far as the options we have available, hes a much better option than Joe Biden.

Brown said he cant see from the Democratic perspective how conservative thinking is flawed, because I dont know what their thought process is.

Warren Daubenspeck,69, of Gainesville, said he sees balancing the budget and the countrys national debt are key issues for him. Warren Daubenspeck

I dont think our country should be in debt and,at somepointin time, its going to have to be paid, he said.

Daubenspeck said one of the main reasons he voted for Trump in 2016 was the potential to replace several Supreme Court justiceswith ones holding aliteralreading of the U.S. Constitution.

And he was able to do that in fact, threeofthem, or 2 so far, he saidbefore the U.S. Senates confirmation ofAmy Coney BarrettonMonday, Oct. 26.

As far as his support for Trump, I look at the alternative, and I think the alternative vote would be for a more socialistic type ofgovernment and more federal government involved in our lives, Daubenspeck said.

He believes the Democrats live in a bubble who dont know what the common person is thinking about.

What were thinking about is making sure we have worked hard our whole lives and its OK to beprosperousand we shouldnt have to pay the government abnormal taxes, Daubenspeck said. Its OK to be that way.

ForJennifer Marlow, 61, ofGillsville, public safety is a main concern for her and at the heart of keyissues,including immigration. Jennifer Marlow

Alot of the things that go on(locally)involvesdrugs andmaybe some(people) over here illegally-- somewhohave been deported and come back,she said. Im really glad police around here are up on this and stopping a lot of the drugs, which is a big concern to me.

Marlowsaid President Trump sometimes says things he shouldnt say, but he willsay what he means, and you know where he stands. I feel like he is fighting for us. I think he is trying to make it safe here for us and doing what he can.

She said she believes Biden, by contrast, wont be a strong leader, if elected.

I feel like he wont be the one making decisions. I think they got him in there justto getpeopletovote on that side, and somebody else is going to be taking over for him, probably.

Jennifer Schade, 43,of Gainesville,who identified as moderate on the survey, said the Second Amendment may be a major political issue these days, but dont overlook the First Amendment.

If we lose (both), we lose our fabric, she said.

The First Amendment isactually alarger issue for Schade, particularly blocks on freedom of speech or press. Even ifit's a bad idea, Im better off hearing the bad idea, rather than being told you cant hear it because its a bad idea, Schade said.

Immigration is important to me because, while I have wonderful friends who are immigrants, they have come here legally, Schade said. Theyve done the process. It is a safety concern for me because I want to be able to know who my neighbors are--people who are vetted.

As for Trumps appeal, I appreciate the fact that he is real, regardless of how hes portrayed, she said. If you look at what heactually doesversus what the media says about him, hes been fair, hes been overgenerous to underprivileged communities.

Schade conceded he has a terrible mouth, but that does not make him a terrible human. Maybe hes like me you cant always articulate what we want to say, but we know what were going to say and do.

She believes Democrats and more liberal thinkers thinkincorrectly thatthose who are more conservative dont care about poverty, dont care about race. We all have the exact same problems. We just disagree on what the proper solution is.

Gary Vogel, 66, of Gainesville,said hes never seen an election where theres so much distinction between the two parties. Youve got one party thats for a lot ofthings Im in favorofand one party thats really against things Im in favor of.

I almost tell people Im not voting for Donald Trump. Im voting for the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Supreme Court candidates, all conservative issues.

Vogel added: I thought (Trump) was an egotistical, arrogant crazy man for years. I dont think that so much anymore, but hes still certainly a lightning rod for controversy based on some of his tweets and the way he belittles people. I think he could be more presidential.

If he had to pick out a top issue, its the Supreme Court makeup.

Thats going to decide so many issues for the next 30 years, he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic is not as biganissue to Vogel and many Republicans in the survey.

Youve got to respect that its out there, but I think weve gone totally overboard, Vogel said. To shut down the entire economy of the United Statesforsixmonths is, in my mind, is insane.

As a hardware store owner in South Hall, if I had to be shut down for three months, I wouldnotbe coming back, he said.

I dont understand people who would even vote for a party that is pro-abortion, that wants to defund the police,that has supported riots in the streets of United Statescities that have refused outside help to quell those riots.

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Survey results are in. Here's what local Republicans, Democrats are saying ahead of 2020 presidential election - Gainesville Times