In the aftermath of the recent debate, signs are emerging from both polls and focus groups that point to key battlegrounds in the upcoming election. One such state is Michigan, where the race is heating up between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While Harris appears to have a solid chance in Michigan and Wisconsin, the competition remains tight. In fact, a recent local poll has shown Trump edging ahead in Michigan.
Major Garrett, a CBS reporter, recently visited Michigan to gauge the mood of voters, and what he found surprised him. Speaking to voters across Saginaw, Dearborn, and other cities, Garrett noted that none of the people he interviewed were undecided—a rare occurrence in swing states. Many voters he encountered showed strong, unwavering support for Trump.
Major Garrett: “I talked to 20 voters. Not one of them was undecided… Support for President Trump is real and resilient. I encountered that everywhere I went.” pic.twitter.com/0dFVgNNstd
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 11, 2024
In Saginaw, Garrett spoke with a server who had previously voted for Hillary Clinton but had since become a staunch supporter of Trump, convinced by his actions while in office. Similarly, a small business owner echoed support for Trump, stating he was “absolutely” better off during Trump’s tenure.
The economic struggles currently facing many voters were another dominant theme. One retiree in Dearborn, who had once believed she had saved enough to live comfortably, now feared she might need to return to work part-time due to economic conditions. She expressed deep concern about the possibility of Trump losing the election, reflecting the economic anxieties that are gripping many voters in Michigan.
She voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 — but is voting for President Trump now pic.twitter.com/xK3cvZlxqf
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 11, 2024
Garrett also found that illegal immigration and economic uncertainty were significant concerns for voters, particularly as they compared Harris’s positions to what they had seen under President Biden’s administration. Additionally, in the Arab-American community, Garrett noted that many had become “one-issue voters” over the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some even indicated they might sit out the election entirely—something that could tip the scales in favor of Trump if large portions of this voting bloc abstain.
Garrett’s conversations highlight a key takeaway: support for Trump in Michigan is not only solid but resilient. With a potential shift in the Arab-American vote and growing economic concerns, Harris faces an uphill battle in what could be one of the most critical swing states of the election. The latest Insider Poll for Michigan reflects this dynamic, showing Trump leading Harris by a razor-thin margin of 49% to 48%.
Major Garrett: “How will you feel if Trump doesn’t win?”
Michigan voter: “Petrified.” pic.twitter.com/cV3szvVpzR
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 11, 2024
