27 Aug
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘Joe Biden Can Win if People Vote’

Ariana Mentzel (34), a Democrat from Beverly Hills, MI, leads college students in conversations about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse. Named one of Detroit Jewish News’ “36 under 36,” she serves as the vice president Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Mentzel also served as former Oakland County Chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. She runs a preschool Shabbat program at her temple. We are providing the unfiltered opinions of voters interviewed for this project. Those views are based on their understanding and perception of facts and information from a range of sources. In some cases, that information may be misleading or incorrect. Has Donald Trump’s presidency turned out the way you thought it would back in 2016 when he was first elected president? Is it better or worse...

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10 Jun
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘Trump Is an Agitator and Spokesman for Fascist Thinking and Brutality’

Ariana Mentzel (34), a Democrat from Beverly Hills, MI, leads college students in conversations about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse. Named one of Detroit Jewish News’ “36 under 36,” she serves as the vice president Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Mentzel also served as former Oakland County Chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. She runs a preschool Shabbat program at her temple. We are providing the unfiltered opinions of voters interviewed for this project. Those views are based on their understanding and perception of facts and information from a range of sources. In some cases, that information may be misleading or incorrect. What are your reactions to the protests occurring across the country? I completely understand the visceral need to be heard. Seeking justice for George Floyd,...

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20 Mar
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘The President’s Remarks Have Been Ridiculous’

Ariana Mentzel (34), a Democrat from Beverly Hills, MI, leads college students in conversations about anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the Detroit Center for Civil Discourse. Named one of Detroit Jewish News’ “36 under 36,” she serves as the vice president Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Mentzel also served as former Oakland County Chair of the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus. She runs a preschool Shabbat program at her temple. We are providing the unfiltered opinions of voters interviewed for this project. Those views are based on their understanding and perception of facts and information from a range of sources. In some cases, that information may be misleading or incorrect. What do you think about the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic? Overall, it’s had its pluses and minuses. The President's remarks have been ridiculous.  He...

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04 Mar
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘I Sometimes Feel Guilty for Having Children in this Cruel World’

There’s so much for the candidates to cover, and every issue is important. I’m not so self-centered as to think that all they need to talk about is anti-Semitism. I think most candidates have addressed it with a quick answer or correspondence with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League or American Jewish Committee. Bernie Sanders has fallen short on addressing leftist anti-Semitism or really understanding why some Jews feel that there is anti-Semitism on the left.

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03 Mar
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘Trump is Just One Lie, One Transgression, One Lawsuit After the Other’

“I think truth is so important because how do you know if you can trust someone if they’re a perpetual liar? There’s a difference between making a mistake or changing your mind as opposed to lying to deceive, confuse, or worse. Trump is just one lie, one transgression, one lawsuit after the other. It’s exhausting. I wouldn’t trust him. I wouldn’t leave him alone at my house with my children or with my husband. And I wouldn’t trust him to make a business deal. “

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01 Mar
Ariana Mentzel

Ariana Mentzel (MI): ‘I See Similarities Between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump’

“I don’t like anyone who reminds me of Donald Trump and has that cult mentality of a sort of populist candidate; someone who thinks they’re the best person and only they can do what needs to be done. I see similarities between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump and it bothers me. Bernie’s not on my radar for support. I want someone diplomatic, someone who will actually move the needle forward and knows there’s another side of the aisle to deal with. I don’t think he’s the person that would move the needle forward. I think, like Trump, he’s more of a divisive type. “

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