Lou Weiss (63), a Republican from Pittsburgh, PA, grew up a Reform Jew in a “McGovern liberal family” in Pittsburgh. His conservative political views took hold in a college freshman political science class. Today, he belongs to four synagogues. He was president of Congregation Or L’Simcha, the synagogue that merged in 2010 with the Tree of Life congregation. He occasionally writes op-eds for The Wall Street Journal.
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 than you expected?
Many of his policies have been great. His comportment is inexcusable.
Do you believe that Donald Trump has fulfilled his campaign promises and is this a good thing or a bad thing for the country?
Israel Policy, deregulation, more school choice, employment and economy (till COVID) all good and good for the country.
Has Joe Biden turned out to be the type of candidate you expected at the start of the primary elections? Please explain.
Yes–He has blown with the political winds in the past and continues to do so. My expectations were low and he has not exceeded them.
What does Donald Trump need to do to win the election in November? Do you think he has a chance?
He has a chance despite the polls because people that support him are afraid to say so.
What does Joe Biden need to do to win the election in November? Do you think he has a chance?
Yes—He will be totally shielded by the left-wing media. As long as they keep pitching softballs, he will be ok.
If elected, what should Donald Trump do to bring the country together?
Resign in favor of whoever is his VP.
If elected, what do you think Joe Biden should focus on for his first 100 days in office?
Move to the center.
Do you have any concerns about the general election in November, and if yes, what are your concerns?
I used to have a general and free-floating anxiety at the quality of both candidates.
Should in-person voting be required in November? Why or why not?
Yes. Hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots and waiting days for final results are a recipe for disaster.
Do you think Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests will affect voter choice? Please explain.
Nonviolent protests were moving and warranted. Rioting is a disaster and will only help Trump.
Do you think COVID-19 will affect voter turnout? If yes, how?
Assume a lower turnout. I know of folks that will crawl across broken glass to vote against or for Trump.
Do you think the closure of voting locations across the country due to COVID-19 will affect elections in your state in November? Please explain.
Most of the long lines and voter confusion seem to be in big cities almost all of which are run by Democrats both as elected officials and election supervisors. This is almost never explained in the media.
At this point, what is your preferred method of voting in November? Why?
In-person. Reduces fraud.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the pandemic in your state and across the country?
Really a mess. Trump has been terrible and the medical policy establishment has been horrible as well. When the science/political/media establishment is inconsistent about where and when it condemns public gatherings, it invites skepticism and cynicism.
What are your thoughts on the reopening of schools across the country?
The pediatric leadership is in favor of school. The national number of deaths (CDC website) from the beginning of COVID-19 for children under 14 last week stood at about 40. In that same time period, about 300 kids under that age died of unintentional drowning. Kids under 14 rarely die of the virus. In fact, the numbers under age 45 are pretty low. Teachers over 65 or with comorbidities should stay away from school. There are costs and benefits that need to be accessed at every step. If I had kids that age—based on the numbers and the science—I would send them to school.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
As I mentioned earlier, I was despondent about our presidential choices. I have decided to turn my frown upside down. While I will probably make my second consecutive Presidential write-in for my wife, the whole election has become win-win for me. If Biden wins, we will no longer be subjected to the depredations of Donald Trump. If Trump wins the radical left which holds the Democrat party in its thrall will be denied the same access to the levers of executive power that it has so ruinously abused in almost every other aspect of American life.