In the closely contested battleground state of Nevada, CBS reporter Adrianna Diaz discovered a notable disparity in voter enthusiasm during her recent visit. Despite the tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, Diaz found a stark imbalance in support for the two candidates while visiting three different restaurants in the state. Her findings were revealed on a segment of “CBS Mornings,” which aims to capture the pulse of pivotal states through firsthand accounts from local diners.
During her tour of eateries in Reno, North Las Vegas, and Pahrump, Diaz was taken aback by the overwhelming support for Trump compared to Harris. In her detailed exploration, Diaz was only able to identify three individuals who expressed support for Harris, while the majority of patrons were fervently backing Trump. This observation highlights the intensity of Trump’s appeal in the region.
“What was truly remarkable,” Diaz shared, “is that in every restaurant we visited, we could only locate one supporter of Harris in each place. Despite our best efforts to engage with every person present, we encountered a clear and enthusiastic backing for Trump.”
In Pahrump, Diaz met Leanne and Stephen Schaefer, a married couple who voiced their support for Trump with clear conviction. Leanne emphasized her desire for a strong leader who commands respect and effectively deals with international affairs. “I want someone who’s strong, who demands respect and gets the respect and can handle foreign leaders. I believe Trump is that person,” she stated.
Stephen Schaefer added, “I’ve never owned a gun before, but now I have four. My concern for the country has driven me to this.” The couple’s sentiments reflect a broader apprehension about national security and leadership.
Other diners expressed frustration with the current state of the economy, attributing rising costs to the Biden administration. One woman remarked, “Everything has gone up. We feel it at the grocery store and at the gas pumps. I blame that on Biden.” Another echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the administration’s approach to economic issues resembles ineffective repairs to an old house—sometimes, she argued, it’s better to start anew.
In contrast, Diaz did find a rare supporter of Harris—a first-time male voter in Pahrump who viewed Harris as a potential groundbreaking president. Despite Pahrump’s reputation as a conservative stronghold, Diaz observed similar sentiments in Reno and Las Vegas.
In Reno, Trump supporters voiced their concerns over immigration. Debra Canestrini, for instance, said, “Illegals. They’ve got to go.” When Diaz pointed out that many of these individuals were seeking asylum, Canestrini dismissed it, saying, “Baloney. They’re coming here for the freebies.” Tomoko Rogers, another Trump supporter, added, “People think we don’t want immigrants at all, but that’s not true. We’re just saying that those who’ve followed the rules and paid into the system should not be sidelined for those who haven’t.”
On the other hand, Ken Lasker, a Harris supporter in Reno, voiced concerns about the state of democracy. “Our democracy has lasted 250 years. It’s clearly being threatened now by Trump and the Republican Party,” he said.
In Las Vegas, the focus shifted to economic concerns. Joey Herbert, a Harris supporter, highlighted job growth as a positive outcome of the current administration. “For me, it’s been about the economy. I appreciate the job growth under this administration,” Herbert said. Conversely, Francisco Barres, a taco truck owner, lamented rising costs, noting, “Tacos used to be a dollar or a dollar fifty. Now they’re at least three fifty or four dollars because meat prices have gone up.”
Overall, Diaz’s report underscores a deep divide in voter sentiment, with a notable enthusiasm for Trump overshadowing the support for Harris in Nevada’s restaurants. This disparity reflects broader national trends and the ongoing uncertainty in this crucial swing state.
