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MANASSAS, Va. — The eyes of the British press on are on Manassas today.
A London-based team of reporters from Sky News are asking city residents, those who live in Prince William County, as well as visitors to the city who they do not plan to vote for in Tuesday’s Presidential Election.
The Sky News team brought with them cardboard cutouts of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and are standing the respective cutout next to a voter who plans to vote for the opposite candidate.
Trivett Austin, 37, an African-American and self-identified Republican, plans to vote for Trump. He’s dissatisfied with Obamacare, and while he respects President Obama for being the first black U.S. President, he’s said he’s disappointed in him for not doing more to support the black community.
Trump, says Austin, already has money and power and seeks office to work to improve the economy, fix healthcare, and provide a better future for citizens.
“If he sticks by what he says, I’m with him all the way,” said Austin. “Healthcare is ridiculous. Last year, I was charged $700 for not having healthcare. This year, it’s $1,200.”
Austin stood next to a cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton and was happy to be interviewed by the British TV reporter. So did Manassas lawyer Sheyna Burt, who stood next to a cutout of Trump.
“I imagine him being dumbfounded by what he has taken on,” Burt said when asked how Trump would react if elected. “I imagine him going into the Oval Office and pushing the wrong button, or saying something to ruin international relations… he’s just not qualified for the job.”
Burt said she voted for Hillary Clinton in a Primary Election when she ran against Obama in 2008.
“Sorry, I love [Obama] but I’ve always been on team Hillary,” she added.
The excitement in 2008, and again in 2012 for voting for Barack Obama just isn’t there this year, said 21-year-old Shakora Sykes, of Dumfries.
She voted for Obama in 2012 but is not excited about going to the polls this year.
“I don’t want to vote, but I guess I will go vote for Hillary,” said Sykes.
Sky News traveled to Manassas to talk to voters in and around Prince William County, largely known as bellwether county that can, historically, help decide the turnout of Tuesday’s election.
The Sky News team will broadcast their nightly show “America Decides” from Jirani Coffeehouse in Downtown Manassas beginning at 8 p.m. The show can be viewed on Youtube and on AppleTV.
