During a walk through central Pennsylvania, Fox News Digital spoke with several voters in urban and rural areas to get their thoughts on, among other things, the impact of harsh political rhetoric.
In Wakefield, a rural town just north of the Maryland border, Marcia Peterson co-owns Peterson's Grocery Outlet with her husband.
Asked about the level of political rhetoric, Peterson said the left has spent years telling Americans that former President Trump is “dangerous and must be stopped.”
“Then I see people on social media laughing and saying they didn’t miss it. [shooting] “They want words to matter, but it's only the words of the right,” she said.
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Marsha Peterson of Peterson's Grocery Outlet in Lancaster County told FOX News Digital. (Charlie Crates/Fox News Digital)
Closer to home, Peterson said the affordability crisis is a big issue for both her and her customers.
“We run a small, family-owned grocery store, and even during COVID-19, we can clearly see the difference in price increases from administration to administration. [considerations]things have never been this high,” she said.
Outside a large flea market along US-222, Eric Beaser said the issues at hand motivated him to run for state council in Lancaster.
The Republican was originally scheduled to run against 34-year incumbent state Rep. Mike Starra, but Democratic officials said he abruptly withdrew from the race in August.
He said he hopes his top priorities of affordability, housing and keeping taxes low will resonate with voters in a strong Democratic base.
“The problems in Lancaster are the same as in most parts of this country,” Beaser said.
Sam and Kate Mylin, who live in Willow Street, Pennsylvania, spoke out during a visit to Quarryville, saying negativity in politics needs to stop.
“Especially the people and politicians are saying this.” [Trump] “It's a threat and we need to get rid of him, things like that,” said Sam, a former artist. That's completely wrong. That's not American. ”
Meanwhile, Kate Myrin questioned the veracity of claims that inflation is falling. She cited recent cost disparities.
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Sam and Kate Myrin of Willow Street, Pennsylvania, told Fox News Digital. (Charlie Crates/Fox News Digital)
“I'm low on gas. But 12 eggs for $5? Give me a break.”
Sam Millin added that he wanted to hear the truth from politicians about whether our armed forces were really not at war.
“We're in more wars now than ever before. Troops aren't supposed to be in combat zones, but I'm actually in combat zones. And it's all a lie, dude, it's true. That's all lies coming from the left, and that in itself is really dishonest,” he said.
“The other thing is, the affordability of people's housing is ridiculous. So something has to change,” he added, noting that he and his wife support Trump.
Tim Goschner and Michelle Williams, who live in rural Christiana, traveled west to East Dolemore Township to visit the Solanco fairgrounds.
Both believed that political rhetoric played a role in President Trump being targeted for assassination twice.
“They are inciting these people,” Goshnaul said. “Someone might be a little off to the beginning and that's what pushes them in that direction.”
Asked about the fairness of the election, Williams said the count was “as fair as it can be. The system is supposed to be fair.”
”The way laws are made is aimed at integrity. And that is the founding principle of our country, that the right and proper vote be cast. However, if this is not carried out, it will not be a fair election. ”
On the other side of Harrisburg Pike in the capital city of the same name, I was waiting for a bus by the Hilton Hotel downtown when a man who identified himself as “Minister Fifty” called out to me.
“Is that a rhetorical question?” Minister Fifty said when asked about political rhetoric inciting malicious acts.
Minister Fifty spoke to Fox News Digital in Harrisburg last week. (Fox News Digital)
“Common sense suggests that of course there is an impact. Unpleasant communication of any kind is never helpful,” he says.
“So when you rely on things other than the problem and get darkly absorbed in other people and things that aren’t the problem, things get cloudy, you get distracted, and you lose sight of what your real goals are. Masu.”
“We also have an opportunity to show the world and others that America is built on common sense…” Minister Fifty retorted.
He said the state structure was “too big to fail” and added that he believed the elections would be fair.
Lisa, who lives in Harrisburg, said she is a proud “black woman” for Donald J. Trump, and that she “stays blessed” and “remembers the golden rule” when it comes to political rhetoric. He said it was important. Do unto others as they would do unto you. ”
“Both sides can really be more tolerant of the other side,” Lisa said. He declined to appear on camera, but agreed to have his comments audio recorded.
“I'm rooting for the strongest candidate to win,” she said.
Pam Hauer, a former Republican who was enjoying a sunset trip along the Susquehanna River, said she was frustrated by the Republicans' “insane rhetoric,” but both sides may have something to say about it. He added that he could not.
She said President Trump “hurt a lot of people” with his claim that immigrants were eating pets in Ohio, and as a person with a disability, President Trump mocked New York Times reporter in his first bid. He said that he felt frightened by the situation in which he was accused. He had a congenital skeletal disease.
However, President Trump denied this claim, saying he did not know about Serge Kovaleski's disability. It only affected his “flappy” attitude. In the situation he was describing.
Hower said disability issues and Medicare and Medicaid solvency will be key to the vote.
She went hunting with her family and grew up around legal firearms, but given the number of school shootings and mass shootings in public places in recent years, she is reluctant to acquire a semi-automatic rifle. He added that he disagreed.
“My daughter is a speech therapist at an elementary school. I'm scared for her, and I know it's affecting the way she thinks about going to school. And I don't want her to feel scared every time that day,'' she said.
“I don't have a problem with guns because I grew up with them. I have a problem with assault rifles. I have a problem with access to guns,” she said.
Asked about the housing crisis, Hower said one aspect of the housing crisis is being overlooked by the media and candidates. As a disabled person, she said only about 5% of new homes require wheelchair access.
“So we're at a critical point in this country where we have a housing shortage. It's really bad in Pennsylvania, but it's across the country for people with disabilities.” [as well]. ”
“I’m looking forward to Kamala, because I’m doing everything I can. [Trump] It’s very scary,” she said.
Rudolph, of Harrisburg, said the hateful political rhetoric is “typical.”
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“I think the antics are getting dirtier every year. So what are we fighting for? And I don't really understand that whole process, because everybody knows- – Smart people know this anyway – the popular vote doesn't decide the president, it's the Electoral College,'' he said.
Regarding some of the threats against Trump, Rudolph suggested that some aspects may have been “staged” because Republicans are “good marketers.”
But Rudolph also praised some of Trump's accomplishments during his first term.
“He brought us up against China, and he has some good ideas. But his rhetoric is causing division among people. And that's not a good thing, because , I have white friends, I have black friends, I have green friends, I mean,” he declared.
“No one will trust anyone,” he said.
“I'm going [with] Democratic ticket. It is the lesser of two evils. ”
Fox News Digital's Matteo Cina contributed to this report.
