WEBVTT 00:02.033 --> 00:04.466 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: The countdown clock is winding down, with less than two weeks until the midterm 00:04.466 --> 00:06.500 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% elections. 00:06.500 --> 00:10.433 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Both parties are making their final pushes to rally their bases in these final days. 00:10.433 --> 00:15.433 align:left position:10%,start line:71% size:80% More and more, it appears control of Congress could rest on one key segment of the population: 00:16.700 --> 00:18.766 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% suburban women. 00:18.766 --> 00:22.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% That seems to be particularly true in New Jersey, where Lisa Desjardins sat down this 00:22.633 --> 00:27.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% week with a group of women who want their voices heard and their votes to matter. 00:29.700 --> 00:32.633 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: I am here in the iconic Tick Tock Diner in Clifton, New Jersey, just outside 00:34.633 --> 00:38.900 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% of New York City, with four women who plan to vote in this year's midterm elections. 00:40.200 --> 00:41.633 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% Michele Rogers is a stay-at-home mom with three sons. 00:41.633 --> 00:43.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% She lives in Randolph, New Jersey. 00:43.700 --> 00:48.366 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Uyen Khuong is also a stay-at-home mom of three in Madison, New Jersey. 00:50.300 --> 00:53.233 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Marylyn McLaughlin is a travel agent in Morristown, New Jersey, and a mom of four. 00:53.233 --> 00:56.566 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% Karen Arakelian lives in Montville, New Jersey, and has two children. 00:56.566 --> 01:01.400 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% She is the owner of several furniture and design stores around the state. 01:01.400 --> 01:05.100 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% One reason we brought you all together is because, you know, this year, there has been 01:05.100 --> 01:10.100 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% so much talk about women, and you are seen, suburban women in particular, as a key force 01:11.666 --> 01:12.900 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% in this election. 01:12.900 --> 01:14.400 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% Do you feel like powerful people? 01:14.400 --> 01:16.233 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Do you feel like the key force in this election? 01:16.233 --> 01:18.633 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% You're shaking your head no. 01:18.633 --> 01:21.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% What is most important to you right now, as you try and decide how to vote? 01:21.700 --> 01:26.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MARYLYN MCLAUGHLIN, New Jersey Voter: The economy, and it's New Jersey's economy, which, 01:27.433 --> 01:28.366 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% it's unaffordable. 01:28.366 --> 01:30.233 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% It's unaffordable for us. 01:30.233 --> 01:33.133 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And people would say, OK, you're upper-middle-class. 01:33.133 --> 01:35.600 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% It's unaffordable for our poor. 01:35.600 --> 01:37.700 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% It's just unaffordable on all levels. 01:37.700 --> 01:42.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% I just -- I feel like we need to get to the bottom of it and find out how to alleviate 01:43.600 --> 01:46.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% our tax issues, our tax problem. 01:46.900 --> 01:47.900 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: You're a business owner. 01:47.900 --> 01:49.166 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% What do you think? 01:49.166 --> 01:51.200 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% KAREN ARAKELIAN, New Jersey Voter: Yes. 01:51.200 --> 01:53.966 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% I think that the Republican tax plan that was just started is causing a lot of good 01:53.966 --> 01:56.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% things to happen in the country and in the state. 01:56.400 --> 02:00.100 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I mean, we have a very mixed population in New Jersey. 02:00.100 --> 02:05.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% We have people who make under $40,000, and we have people that make over $4 million. 02:06.600 --> 02:09.700 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% So the people making over $4 million will be paying more taxes. 02:09.700 --> 02:14.700 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% People like my -- some of my family, they're going to be saving a lot of tax dollars this 02:15.200 --> 02:16.433 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% year. 02:16.433 --> 02:18.800 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So I'm seeing the money being saved and spent. 02:18.800 --> 02:19.800 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% And I think it's good. 02:19.800 --> 02:21.733 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I think it's a good thing. 02:21.733 --> 02:24.233 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: Another economic issue that we hear about this year is health care. 02:24.233 --> 02:27.800 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% Do you all have health care concerns in your own lives, the cost of health care? 02:27.800 --> 02:29.466 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% Michele? 02:29.466 --> 02:31.000 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS, New Jersey Voter: I think it definitely is an issue. 02:31.000 --> 02:34.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% They're saying they want to repeal Affordable Care Act. 02:34.566 --> 02:36.566 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And yet there wasn't an adequate replacement. 02:36.566 --> 02:38.233 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: Karen? 02:38.233 --> 02:42.966 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% KAREN ARAKELIAN: I have a company where I employ over 25 people. 02:42.966 --> 02:45.033 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And most of them are on our health care. 02:45.033 --> 02:49.266 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I saw the premiums skyrocket after Obamacare came in. 02:49.266 --> 02:53.766 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% I don't really see what Obamacare has done for the people of this area. 02:53.766 --> 02:57.800 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I right now have to fund the deductibles on all of my people. 02:57.800 --> 03:02.233 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% My company pays the deductibles, so that we can even afford to have health care. 03:02.233 --> 03:03.233 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% That's not a plan. 03:03.233 --> 03:04.766 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% It's not a plan. 03:04.766 --> 03:06.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% MICHELE ROGERS: Well, I think that -- but what is the plan? 03:06.233 --> 03:08.133 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% KAREN ARAKELIAN: I don't know. 03:08.133 --> 03:10.133 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 03:10.133 --> 03:13.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MICHELE ROGERS: Before you eliminate the Affordable Care Act, maybe try to fix it? 03:13.733 --> 03:16.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Why throw the baby out with the bathwater? 03:16.000 --> 03:17.033 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% Make efforts to fix it. 03:17.033 --> 03:19.100 align:left position:30%,start line:83% size:60% KAREN ARAKELIAN: I totally agree. 03:19.100 --> 03:22.566 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And the problem with that is, the Democrats don't want to hear anything that President 03:22.566 --> 03:23.566 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% Trump wants to do. 03:23.566 --> 03:24.766 align:left position:40%,start line:89% size:50% It's... 03:24.766 --> 03:25.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS: I don't think that is true. 03:25.933 --> 03:27.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% KAREN ARAKELIAN: Well, but it's a fact. 03:27.166 --> 03:27.833 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% I'm not -- it's not a suggestion. 03:27.833 --> 03:29.733 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% It's a fact. 03:29.733 --> 03:33.733 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% They have to not be so staunch on if President Trump suggests it, we say no. 03:35.200 --> 03:36.966 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And they did that with Kavanaugh. 03:36.966 --> 03:40.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% They turned down the candidate before he was even announced. 03:40.233 --> 03:44.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: What, if any impact did the Brett Kavanaugh hearings have on you? 03:44.000 --> 03:46.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% KAREN ARAKELIAN: Scared me, really scared me, because... 03:46.533 --> 03:47.833 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% MICHELE ROGERS: In what way? 03:47.833 --> 03:49.100 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% KAREN ARAKELIAN: In what way? 03:49.100 --> 03:51.100 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% It could be my son. 03:51.100 --> 03:55.333 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% It could be any person of power that out of the blue an accusation can come out and ruin 03:57.566 --> 03:59.666 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% their life. 03:59.666 --> 04:01.866 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MARYLYN MCLAUGHLIN: I'm with you because I - - with that whole thing, too, I have -- I 04:01.866 --> 04:03.900 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% have four sons. 04:03.900 --> 04:07.333 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And one of them even said to me, you know, mom, in high school, there are (INAUDIBLE) 04:07.333 --> 04:09.866 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% moments for everybody in high school. 04:09.866 --> 04:14.700 align:left position:10%,start line:71% size:80% And anybody in that room that was interrogating him probably had something in their high school 04:14.700 --> 04:18.233 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% career or time that they weren't very happy about. 04:18.233 --> 04:20.066 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So some of the questions were ridiculous. 04:20.066 --> 04:21.600 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% They were political. 04:21.600 --> 04:23.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: Michele, you also are the mother of a son. 04:23.433 --> 04:24.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS: I am, three sons. 04:24.933 --> 04:25.933 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: Three sons. 04:25.933 --> 04:27.933 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS: Yes. 04:27.933 --> 04:31.933 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And my perspective on it would be -- and I actually know someone in our group, my -- our 04:34.033 --> 04:39.033 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% immediate friend group, who was -- their son was falsely accused. 04:39.933 --> 04:42.000 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% So I see what you're saying. 04:42.000 --> 04:46.933 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% But I think this is -- I'm not -- I'm not fearful for my sons, because I know -- I know 04:48.966 --> 04:51.966 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% that the statistics are that, when you look at the number of sexual assault accusations 04:53.933 --> 04:56.400 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% and how many are not reported because they're afraid that they won't be believed, and they 04:56.400 --> 05:00.133 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% don't report it, the number of false accusations is minuscule. 05:00.133 --> 05:03.933 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% It's, I think, less than 1 percent, or 1 percent. 05:03.933 --> 05:06.000 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% So I'm not worried about my sons. 05:06.000 --> 05:10.833 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% I'm not, because I feel that I'm more worried about, if I had a daughter, I would worry 05:12.233 --> 05:13.700 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% about my daughter. 05:13.700 --> 05:16.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I would worry about her being believed and being heard. 05:16.033 --> 05:17.533 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% That would be a larger concern. 05:17.533 --> 05:19.033 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: When you do have a daughter - - go ahead. 05:19.033 --> 05:20.500 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% UYEN KHUONG, New Jersey Voter: I have two sons and a daughter. 05:20.500 --> 05:23.000 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% But I want to get back to what Karen was saying. 05:23.000 --> 05:28.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And what I want to -- want us to, as people, to step away is, when a Trump Clinton or Trump 05:30.000 --> 05:34.666 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% nominee comes up, I don't want us to assume that the other side is already against it. 05:36.733 --> 05:40.266 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% I mean, there's enough -- there's -- there's enough open-mindedness to take a look at, 05:42.266 --> 05:45.333 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% because, for me, as -- I'm a registered Democratic now, but, for sure, with everything that I 05:47.133 --> 05:50.000 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% look at, I'm really wanting to solve -- because I love this country. 05:50.000 --> 05:54.533 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% For me, the way our country is -- and it starts with the leader at the top. 05:54.533 --> 05:59.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I feel that he is eroding the pillars of our democracy. 06:01.533 --> 06:04.800 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And that's why I feel like I have to do what I can you do in order to take back the House 06:04.800 --> 06:06.500 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% to provide checks and balances. 06:06.500 --> 06:07.500 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% That's what I want. 06:07.500 --> 06:09.566 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% I want checks and balances. 06:09.566 --> 06:11.833 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MICHELE ROGERS: I just wanted to say that I really loved what you were saying, because, 06:11.833 --> 06:13.800 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% for me, like, I totally agree. 06:13.800 --> 06:18.200 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% I don't -- I don't like that you're either with me or you're stupid, or you're with me 06:18.800 --> 06:20.466 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% or you're wrong. 06:20.466 --> 06:23.666 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% Because I think a lot of what we're taking us fact is opinions. 06:23.666 --> 06:25.766 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% It is opinion. 06:25.766 --> 06:29.833 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And I think it does start at the top, that that's my -- that's been my problem since 06:31.833 --> 06:35.333 align:left position:20%,start line:71% size:70% 2016, is that I feel like our leader -- when we have a fractured country, our leader has 06:37.633 --> 06:42.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% pep rallies where he's calling me basically an idiot, he's calling me evil. 06:45.633 --> 06:49.500 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% I think that bringing our country together will have to start at the grassroots, because 06:49.500 --> 06:50.633 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% we're not getting it from the top. 06:50.633 --> 06:51.633 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% UYEN KHUONG: Yes. 06:51.633 --> 06:53.733 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% That's where I am. 06:53.733 --> 06:56.066 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MICHELE ROGERS: And I think it needs to start at these tables and around the dinner tables 06:56.066 --> 07:01.066 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% and in our communities, because we're not getting that kumbaya from the top. 07:01.933 --> 07:03.433 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% We're getting the opposite. 07:03.433 --> 07:05.400 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: I want to ask you to talk about the president. 07:05.400 --> 07:08.200 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% MARYLYN MCLAUGHLIN: I thought our country needed to go in a different direction. 07:08.200 --> 07:11.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I thought that we were going in an entirely crazy direction. 07:11.533 --> 07:16.533 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And it was illegal immigration, national security, the economy. 07:17.500 --> 07:18.633 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% We weren't really growing. 07:18.633 --> 07:20.433 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% We were meandering along. 07:20.433 --> 07:25.433 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And I felt like a lot of voices weren't being heard. 07:26.833 --> 07:28.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% So I thought, OK, you talk about hope and change. 07:28.700 --> 07:31.466 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% He's not exactly the hope and change type personality you want, right? 07:31.466 --> 07:33.633 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% He's not my type of guy. 07:33.633 --> 07:38.633 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% But if we can look behind and see where we are a couple years later, I think we're heading 07:40.433 --> 07:41.900 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% in a -- in a better direction. 07:41.900 --> 07:44.333 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% I know there's a lot of divisiveness in the country. 07:44.333 --> 07:49.333 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% But I think a lot of it stems from this crazy anger that he actually won. 07:50.766 --> 07:53.633 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And I know he won, and I know a lot of people don't like him. 07:53.633 --> 07:55.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% And I know he says a lot of offensive things. 07:55.533 --> 07:57.066 align:left position:20%,start line:89% size:70% And I wish he didn't. 07:57.066 --> 07:59.566 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% And I wish sometimes he would be a little bit more presidential. 07:59.566 --> 08:01.400 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% But that's not who he is. 08:01.400 --> 08:03.400 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% But I do believe he loves the country. 08:03.400 --> 08:06.433 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: My last question for you all is, if you could each just name a few 08:06.433 --> 08:11.433 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% words of what values you want in leaders, what -- the words, what you want them to be? 08:12.533 --> 08:13.666 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS: Honesty, truthfulness. 08:13.666 --> 08:15.866 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% UYEN KHUONG: Moral, ethical. 08:15.866 --> 08:17.500 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% MARYLYN MCLAUGHLIN: Integrity. 08:17.500 --> 08:20.166 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% UYEN KHUONG: Kindness, respect for others. 08:20.166 --> 08:25.166 align:left position:10%,start line:71% size:80% KAREN ARAKELIAN: I want somebody smart, that sees the big picture, and that will work across 08:26.600 --> 08:28.600 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% party lines to get things done for the countries. 08:28.600 --> 08:31.033 align:left position:10%,start line:77% size:80% And I think that we have that, and a lot of people don't recognize it. 08:31.033 --> 08:33.533 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: You all almost agree. 08:33.533 --> 08:34.533 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 08:34.533 --> 08:36.033 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 08:36.033 --> 08:38.700 align:left position:10%,start line:83% size:80% LISA DESJARDINS: Certainly on what you're looking for. 08:38.700 --> 08:40.733 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% You certainly agree, I think, in general, on what you're looking for. 08:40.733 --> 08:42.833 align:left position:20%,start line:77% size:70% MICHELE ROGERS: Whether we have it or not, we probably don't agree. 08:42.833 --> 08:44.033 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% (LAUGHTER) 08:44.033 --> 08:45.333 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% LISA DESJARDINS: We can't thank you enough. 08:45.333 --> 08:46.466 align:left position:20%,start line:83% size:70% Thank you all very much for joining us. 08:46.466 --> 08:47.466 align:left position:30%,start line:89% size:60% (CROSSTALK) 08:47.466 --> 08:47.633 align:left position:10%,start line:89% size:80% UYEN KHUONG: Thank you so much.