America in Focus, in Partnership with The New York Times

Focus Groups with the New York Times

10 VOTERS WHO BACKED TRUMP IN ‘16 AND ‘20 HAVE MOVED ON

In March 2024, we heard from 10 independents and Republicans who voted Trump in 2016 and 2020 but who aren’t supporting him this time around. Perceptions of “MAGA nation,” what it means to be anti-establishment, and whether one candidate's drawbacks lead to the other’s advantage are topics explored by these voters.

8 REPUBLICAN IOWANS PREPARE FOR CAUCUS DAY

In January 2024, we convened with voters in Iowa who were likely to participate in the Republican caucus. Led by Echelon Insights' Kristen Soltis Anderson, the group covered what they were considering and feeling in the lead up to caucus day.

HARVARD OR HAPPINESS? 11 HIGH SCHOOLERS DEBATE COLLEGE RANKINGS

In this January 2023 focus group, high school students discussed their views on the college admissions process and the purpose of higher education. Most participants assigned some weight to the prestige or ranking of schools when it comes to making a good living, but no one thought it would have an impact on how happy they are as a person.

SKEPTICAL ABOUT TRUMP 24’? THESE 12 REPUBLICAN WILL SET YOU STRAIGHT

In this follow-up focus group about Donald Trump, January 6, and democracy, Republican voters discussed the party and how the January 6 committee may have changed their views from a year prior when we last heard from them. For these participants, the coverage and proceedings on January 6 have not changed their positive feelings toward Trump.

THESE 12 ASIAN AMERICANS WONDER WHEN THE STEREOTYPES WILL FADE

In this February 2023 focus group, Asian Americans discussed what their identity means in American society. Most feel that they have things in common with other minority groups, and most did not believe the Supreme Court should get rid of affirmative action.

WHAT HAPPENED TO AMERICA? WE ASKED 12 PEOPLE IN THEIR 70s AND 80s

Echelon’s Kristen Soltis Anderson led a group of American seniors in March 2023 to hear reflections on the benefits and drawbacks of aging, when are the so-called “golden years” of their life, and whether politicians care about them.

WHY ARE LIBERAL WOMEN HURTING? WE ASKED 13 GEN Zers.

A group of liberal and progressive young women reflected on mental health trends within Gen Z in this April 2023 focus group. Many of the participants believe rates of anxiety and depression have likely always been as bad as they are now, but due to destigmatization people now feel comfortable discussing it openly.

HOW 11 SKEPTICAL BIDEN VOTERS FEEL ABOUT HIS RE-ELECTION BID

Echelon Insights talked Biden 2020 voters who are ambivalent about his performance in office to discuss their thoughts on the 2024 presidential election. The dominant feeling among those in this May 2023 focus group was that there are just no good choices.

WHAT 9 WOMEN IN KANSAS WISH PEOPLE REALIZED ABOUT ABORTION

One year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the issue of abortion back to the states, Echelon Insights spoke with women in Kansas about abortion for its June 2023 focus group. They shared divided, yet nuanced views about the divisive subject, also explaining how their outlook has changed since the decision.

11 EARLY PRIMARY REPUBLICANS DOUBT TRUMP COULD BE BEAT

GOP primary or caucus voters in IA, NH, NV and SC reflect on the upcoming primary season in this August 2023 focus group. Participants were split on increasing or decreasing support for Trump given his indictments, but tend to think he’s the man for the job, even if others have some positive qualities.

THESE 11 REPUBLICANS LIKE TRUMP, BUT ARE OPEN TO OTHERS

Republican primary voters in this October 2023 group generally like Trump, but are still open to some level of disruption by other candidates. They’d need a good reason to pass on Trump and aren’t sure there is one.

10 Latino Voters on the G.O.P.’s Appeal

In September, the New York Times and Echelon Insights convened a group of 10 Latino voters from Texas, Florida and Arizona, a collection of Democrats, Republicans and independents who planned to vote or were open to voting for Republican candidates in this year’s midterm elections.

These 13 Wyoming Voters Helped Decide Liz Cheney’s Fate

In the week before the 2022 Wyoming primary, the New York Times convened a focus group of people who planned to vote in it to talk about Wyoming, Liz Cheney, her Trump-backed opponent Harriet Hageman and the Republican Party — and to help us understand why Ms. Cheney was losing. Led by Echelon Insights' Kristen Soltis Anderson, the group covered how Cheney has represented Wyoming during some particularly divisive years in the Republican Party.

10 Americans on Putin’s War in Ukraine

Where are Americans on the subject of the Russia-Ukraine war? While no respondents in this focus group would identify the war as an issue of top concern, these voters demonstrated a strong motivation toward the U.S. getting involved in Ukraine, but not too involved. Throughout the focus group, respondents answered questions from Kristen Soltis Anderson about their views on Biden’s handling of the Ukraine situation, perceptions of Vladimir Putin, and the looming possibility of nuclear conflict.

10 Americans Debate Courage

In this focus group of Democrats, Republicans, and independent voters, respondents their opinions on political leadership in the U.S. In particular, these voters’ definition of what it means to be politically "courageous". In a conversation ranging from January 6, to the Russia-Ukraine war, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, we're offered a picture of how everyday Americans perceive politicians and their ability (or lack thereof) to step up and demonstrate leadership.

These 8 Conservative Men Are Making No Apologies

In this New York Times focus group moderated by Kristen Soltis Anderson, eight conservative men painted their picture of what American society is like today. To summarize, seven out of the eight respondents raised their hands when asked whether they agree with the statement, “I feel like a stranger in my own country.” In particular, they drew attention to feelings of safety—both in terms of physical security and in the security of their free expression.

What Surprised Us With Voters About Jan. 6

Exactly one year and one day after rioters stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, Echelon Insights moderated a NYT focus group of eight Republican voters about their views on the incident. While some Republicans believed the attack to be exaggerated and misrepresented by the media, others interestingly expressed fear in their association of the insurrection with Donald Trump.

These 12 Women Don’t Want It All. They Want Better.

Kristen Soltis Anderson interviewed eleven women and one voter who identified as nonbinary about some of the greatest changes and pressures they have noticed with respect to their gender. The respondents delved into their relationship with parenthood, the direction of societal gender roles, and how movements such as #MeToo have shaped or not affected their view of progress.

America in Focus