A focus group of 10 Michigan voters criticized Democrats for their impeachment efforts, denouncing it as a waste of time and as a drain on time spent passing policies for American citizens.
“The focus is in the wrong direction… not working on policies that will help the people,” said one man in the group, which was conducted by the communications firm Engagious on December 9.
The House of Representatives passed the articles of impeachment on December 18.
The focus group consisted of 10 Michigan voters — six women and four men — who voted for President Barack Obama in 2012 and then for President Trump in 2016. The group was asked about a range of political topics, including the U.S.-Mexico border wall, news consumption, their top concerns for 2020, and their opinions on several Democratic presidential primary candidates.
Engagious published footage of the focus group’s answers, divided by topic, as part of its Swing Voter Project.
Others agreed that political focus was misplaced, with one woman asking why Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had “wasted this much time and money” on trying to impeach Trump.
“Why is the focus continually on trying to get rid of Trump?…Put the focus away from trying to get rid of Trump — from the day one, since he’s been elected, it’s been that,” said another woman. “I want to hear what’s going on with the country. What are you doing? What are you doing for us?”
The group was also asked how much money they thought had been spent on the impeachment inquiry and articles. Responses varied from $100 million to close to $1 billion.
Another woman said Pelosi’s push for impeachment seems “like a personal thing.”
“She’s making her personal problem with Trump America’s problem,” she said. “and it’s not America’s problem to the degree of what’s going on with her personal [problem.]”
See more clips from the Swing Voter Project here.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter for The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
Photo “Swing Voters” by Engagious.
