CNN spoke to five conservative male voters in their early 20s about what they expect from President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in tonight’s historic debate.
Michael Vaden: “I really just want a civil debate,” said the 21-year-old Atlanta resident and Georgia Tech student, who identifies as a moderate voter with conservative leanings.
Vaden said he’s “not really” satisfied with the 2024 presidential candidates, and hopes “there will be another great option, someone who is dignified, well-spoken, not rude – an Abraham Lincoln type of guy.”
Jake Kennedy: “People have been expecting this for a while,” said the 22-year-old Georgia Tech student from Winder, Georgia. “Tonight’s debate is going to change a lot of voters’ minds, so this debate is going to have a big impact and it’s going to sway a significant number of voters.”
He described himself as “a little to the right” and expressed frustration with Biden on foreign policy, his biggest concern.
Donovan Dykstra: Dykstra, 21, from Augusta, Georgia, is a Trump supporter and says he likes the former president’s way of speaking. “He’s also a good businessman,” the Georgia Tech student said. Tonight, he said he wants to “hear some civil conversation” and hear both candidates speak. He also wants to see if Biden has a “good response” to Trump. “What if he can come up with something intelligent to say? I’d be pretty shocked, to be honest,” Dykstra said of Biden.
Noah Sells: The 22-year-old Carl, Georgia, resident is not attending college and said he is looking for candidates who can help him easily buy property in the United States.
Dhruva Kothari: The Georgia Tech student from Annapolis, Maryland, considers himself “a lot less conservative than my generation,” but still leans to the right. “Someone who can prove they can lead the country for the next four years and be healthy, and who can represent the common man. I think a lot of times, one group gets isolated and the common man gets left behind.”
