The vast majority of New York City was clear about what it expected from these midterm elections. What was generally palpable was a spirit of revenge towards his least appreciated neighbor, President Donald Trump, in a call with many more people than usual in this type of election.
“These midterm elections are not mobilizing more because they are essential to change the political climate,” said Joan Firestone, an older woman who was accompanied by a son, outside a school on 85th Street, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
This woman, who walked with the help of a cane, became active when talking about the possible outcome. "This is much more than a legislative election. This is a referendum on the president because we have a despot in control of the government and that is why we must seek control of Congress," he stressed.
According to his estimate, beyond the inflation or corruption that is attributed to this White House, the main problem is something else, “what worries me most is that the individual voices of people are lost in a democracy.”
There was another issue that would also make him happy in the event that the Democrats flipped both chambers if the blue wave announced by the polls was confirmed. The speaker or president of the House of Representatives (House) and the head of the majority in the Senate would both be from New York, Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, respectively, unless the Democrats decided to relieve them.
"It's the right time for them to take over. They've both done a very good job and they deserve it," Firestone said. Another voter, who overheard the conversation, intervened. “That would be like taking control of Washington DC and bringing some sanity and common sense,” he said.
Don't forget that New York is a liberal bastion, and specifically the Upper West, which for the most part does not hide its hatred towards Trump. The most relevant vote on this occasion is for the position of governor, where polls gave a clear advantage to the current governor, Democrat Kathy Hochul, over Republican Bruce Blakeman, who has played at being a Trump replicant, placing emphasis on citizen insecurity and focusing on attracting voters from outside the metropolis, in territories such as Long Island or the north of the state, which are more conservative.
However, the conversation before the polling stations quickly turned to the possibility that the Democrats would capture Congress and the big change would occur. "I voted Democrat and I hope we win Congress but we have already been through this same situation so many times. The polls show that the Democrats are ahead and, in the end, the Republicans end up winning. Let's cross our fingers, but let's not forget what the Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris polls said," responded Graciana Lapetina, a psychiatrist.
But the conditions were favorable. "People are very upset by the cost of living and how much it has increased, by the price of gasoline and food, by a level of corruption that is higher than ever, and they are not at all happy with the war in Iran and the horrible things that ICE (border agents) are doing. There are many things to make people angry and encourage the blue wave," he added.
"There is a lot of tension in the political environment right now. Change in Congress would be good because I would like more checks and balances in the government," said Oliver Barrett, a 36-year-old music teacher and native of Texas living in the Big Apple.
He alluded to inflation, the war in the Middle East and, in addition, added the lack of professionalism and leadership in Washington. "The White House is dedicated to publishing memes, is that what it spends its time on? We have many important issues to resolve, things from our daily lives and the president closes the campaign talking about his reflecting pool. It was something totally disconnected from reality, ridiculous," he added.
There was no way to find someone who openly acknowledged that they voted Republican. Adam Wattstein assured that he is a pivotal voter, he supports some as well as others. This time he was fuming against Trump. “It's out of control,” he stressed.
"He is taking advantage of being in the White House, he is making more money than he had ever made in his life when he was a horrible real estate businessman. His two sons do the same and no president or his family should earn billions governing the country. Let's put an end to billionaires controlling elections," he proclaimed.
"And there are many who live in the red (Republican) states that are burning with this corruption, they do not want a president to make profits while they can barely pay for health insurance, rent, food or gasoline. This is not a great economy for them, they live day to day. Trump does not understand economics because he is not intelligent, he is simply causing harm to people," lamented this retiree from the insurance sector and former restaurant owner.
