Listening to Voters in Kentucky
In 'My Journey Deep in the Heart of Trump Country' (Opinion guest essay, June 15), Arlie Russell Hochschild introduces readers to Kentucky's Pike County, where citizens are worried about losing the 'best and brightest.'
As a university professor in Chicago, I have met the best and the brightest from places like Pike County, who decided to stay in Chicago after graduation. They appreciate the racial and ethnic diversity, and the job opportunities that rely on the talents they have acquired, not only those inherited from their families.
They stay because they believe they will have fewer barriers to selecting their future partners and encounter more varied people and opportunities than if they stayed home. It has been a pleasure to see the enthusiasm, open-mindedness and entrepreneurial vigor of the young adults of the Pike Counties of the U.S., and I wish them every happiness, no matter where their lives lead them.
Clara OrbanChicago
To the Editor:
After visiting Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, the nation's whitest and third poorest, Arlie Russell Hochschild concludes that 'Mr. Trump's support isn't fading.' Ms. Hochschild also notes that according to a March poll, only 27 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Democrats.
This dire picture needs to be tempered by a dose of reality. Nationwide, 48 percent of voters cast ballots for Kamala Harris, who had become the Democratic candidate only a few months before, while Donald Trump had been campaigning since 2020. Even in this deeply red district, nearly one in five voters favored Ms. Harris in 2024.
The poll showing 27 percent support for Democrats also needs to be squared with the election results from November. One possibility is that many do not approve of the Democrats because they are not doing enough to stand up to President Trump and the Republicans.
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