Miriam Laing (50), a Democrat from Lake Worth, FL, has spent most of her career working for nonprofit Jewish organizations. An activist since childhood, she is very involved with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and lives just 32 miles from Parkland, Florida. She believes it is important that her children “understand what it means to be involved in your community and to give back and take responsibility.”
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.
Do you believe the candidate(s) you support are honest?
Yes, as honest as is possible for any public figure. A certain degree of dishonesty is inevitable in part because candidates are human beings. They want to put their best foot forward and show people only what they want them to see. I think it’s very difficult for anyone to say publicly, “I made a mistake and I’m sorry and here’s what I’ve done since to fix it.” It leaves them open to criticism from voters and the media. So it would not surprise me that some dishonesty, even if it’s lying by omission, happens in any campaign.
You previously indicated that Kamala Harris was your top choice. How do you feel about her dropping out?
I am so disappointed. News reports intimate that her campaign was in some disarray, but I think being a black woman worked against her, combined with having to raise crazy amounts of money. I don’t think we can underestimate the impact of billionaires jumping into the race. I also believe we have to reckon with the inherent misogyny and racism that is baked into our system. I will continue to support my other two favorites: Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker.
Do the impeachment proceedings hurt or improve Trump’s chances for re-election?
I’m not at all sure any of the testimony, no matter how compelling to me, will hurt Trump’s chances with those who want to believe him. I have heard a few anecdotes from people who have met Trump voters who now feel guilty for their votes and are stepping up to volunteer for causes they believe were hurt by this administration. But in my personal circle, among the very few who support Trump, I’ve not seen any significant change.
Do you think it’s possible for Democrats and Republicans to ever agree on the facts around the president’s actions?
No. I don’t think that Democrats and Republicans will ever agree to the facts publicly. They may agree behind closed doors, but for some reason, Republicans in Congress have come to a decision that the Constitution and the constituents who elected them are irrelevant as compared to Trump’s ego. It’s sad and frightening. It’s embarrassing and shameful to watch Republican congresspeople kowtow to Trump and propagate Russian lies.