NBC News Senior National Politics Reporter Jon Allen concluded a six-day reporting trip across eight competitive congressional districts, speaking with voters in five states about national politics and growing social divisions, according to a broadcast on NBC’s Meet the Press NOW.
The reporting series, titled “Drive to Decision Day,” traced an Interstate 80 corridor from Washington, D.C., through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Iowa before ending in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
The Omaha-area race features Democrat Denise Powell facing Republican Brinker Harding to replace retiring Republican Rep. Don Bacon in an area both parties view as pivotal for control of the House of Representatives.
Speaking live with anchor Kristen Welker from Omaha, Allen reported that voters throughout the tour offered wide-ranging reactions when asked what direct message they would deliver to the president in a recurring segment called “Dear Donald.”
Reactions in the segment ranged from sharp criticism to open support. In New Jersey, voter Gloria Mendez said, “I would say f*ck ICE and get out of here and treat your people with respect because we’re all human beings like everybody, so you know, everybody should reserve dignity of our bright lives,” while another New Jersey resident expressed affection, saying, “I love you brother.”
In Ohio, voter Rich Sweebe called for resignation, stating, “Resign. You’re destroying the country.” A voter in Iowa echoed that sentiment, saying, “I truly believe that President Trump is completely unhinged and disqualified from serving as president. So, there’s not a great deal I have to say to him other than it would be time to resign.”
Other voters expressed backing for the administration. Iowa voter David Quakenbush referenced a naval motto, telling Allen, “When I was in the Navy, we had a captain come on board, and he brought a phrase, or I guess you could say a motto, for our ship and it was press on regardless. And that’s what I would say to Mr. Trump. Press on regardless. I think he’s doing a great job.”
Allen noted on air that several Republican voters he spoke with also expressed disappointment over perceived broken promises.
Beyond individual opinions of leadership, Allen reported that voters repeatedly described difficulties discussing politics with family, friends, and neighbors.
“I have a neighbor who I just love, but we can’t even broach the subject,” a Pennsylvania voter said. “I would love to be able to talk to a Republican who is reasonable and share and ask them why do you think this man is so wonderful, but it’s, I haven’t found that person yet and it’s hard to broach the subject.”
Sweebe described similar friction in Ohio, explaining that “the conversations I have with friends and relatives avoids politics because it becomes, you know, too heated and too much emotion generated from both sides. You know, you have, from my perspective, irreconcilable differences, and one side doesn’t understand the other. They see the world completely. They’re different realities.”
In Iowa, Dorothy Quakenbush noted the personal toll of political polarization, saying, “We’ve lost friends over them. You know they’re Democrat all the way no matter what.”
“People are angry at Washington. They’re angry at the establishment, but they’re also angry at each other,” Allen told Welker. “And I think a lot of them feel some sorrow over that.”
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