State of Democra-Z: Young Republicans react to attempted assassination ahead of RNC

CATHY WURZER: This is Minnesota Now on MPR News. I'm Cathy Wurzer. Thanks for being with us. The Republican National Convention is our lead story. It starts today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, less than 48 hours after a gunman attempted to kill former President Trump on the stage of a political rally in Pennsylvania.

Many delegates and others attending the convention say they're experiencing a mix of feelings in Saturday's shootings. Their main focus will be to nominate the former president and whomever his running mate will be to be the party's standard bearers in the November election.

For our latest in our series we're calling the State of Democra-Z, we're checking in with two young conservative voters about this moment in the campaign. Addie Raum is an incoming junior at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Cory Hallada is an incoming senior, also at St. Olaf. Addie and Cory, it's good to hear your voices again. Thanks for taking the time.

CORY HALLADA: Thank you.

ADDIE RAUM: Yeah, no problem. Good to be here.

CATHY WURZER: See, Cory, I'm curious. What were your initial thoughts over the weekend?

CORY HALLADA: I would say a lot of shock. I don't think I would expect to be shocked, especially given kind of how heated things had gotten in this country. But it was, yeah, initially, just very, very surprised at what happened.

CATHY WURZER: And Addie, what about you?

ADDIE RAUM: I mean, just so sad I think that this is where we've gotten to, and that anyone would think that this was a good solution to get out of it. But also echoing Cory's shock, just super sad, too.

CATHY WURZER: The former president obviously survived this attempt on his life. His followers are calling him a hero. Do you think this event changes the complexion of the campaign, Cory?

CORY HALLADA: I think, to some degree, it does. I think surviving an assassination attempt is very, very good, as far as campaign goes. You obviously don't want attempts taken on your life, but I see a possibility for a lot more people to come around Trump, and he's already doing very well prior to this event. And I think that this certainly helps push the direction more in his favor as far as his campaign goes.

CATHY WURZER: And Addie, what do you think?

ADDIE RAUM: I think that it's definitely going to help his campaign, more than anything. I've already been seeing images circulating online, especially with the Gen Z kids. I mean, that picture of him with his fist in the air, blood on his ear, is incredible. It's going to be in history books. It's been circulating all over social media. And it really is an inspiring picture. I mean, it's going to really help his campaign for sure.

CATHY WURZER: You know, you both know that each side is talking about toning down the political rhetoric in the wake of this assassination attempt. And Cory, you mentioned that it's just been so heated up to this point. Do you think it's possible to ratchet down this heat?

CORY HALLADA: I'd like to think so, but it is, of course, very difficult. And I think especially, you know, for a lot of people are starting to, you know, blame some people on the left for some of the things they said about Trump.

But it's hard to also tell people who genuinely believe a lot of things about Trump to tone down the rhetoric if they think that's the truth. I do think we're at a point in this country where we're so far apart that it's hard for me to see the rhetoric being toned down because I think a lot of people genuinely believe the very strong statements that they're expressing.

CATHY WURZER: Addie, what do you want to hear from leaders on both sides?

ADDIE RAUM: I mean, from both sides, it would be really good if we would really get back to a civil place. I would really-- I mean, Biden, I think, did a really admirable thing and publicly calling Trump and wishing him well and saying that he hoped that he was safe and that his family was well. But I would like to see that reciprocated with the conservative side and wishing Biden well in his obviously ailing health. And so we could have it on both sides, some more civil actions and civil-mindedness being brought into the conversation.

CATHY WURZER: So I remember talking to you both actually prior to the debate. So now we've had that much talked-about debate. Prior, we were talking about how young folks like you are just kind of not real fired up about either candidate. I think, gosh, Addie, when we talked before, you were a big supporter of Nikki Haley, but I think you said you would vote for Biden if she lost the Republican primary. So, where are you right now?

ADDIE RAUM: Yeah, it's been kind of up and down travels with me and trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I'm still a lover of Nikki Haley. I wish that things had turned out differently.

But that debate was something else. And seeing Biden stare off into space as if he didn't know where he was just made me worry not about the next four years, but about who's leading the country right now. I mean, who's in charge? I don't think it's that man. And that makes me worry and makes me think that I can't vote for Biden. It makes me know I can't vote for Biden.

And Trump's actions this weekend, seeing him with his fist in the air and blood on his face and being so patriotic, re-instilled a little bit of hope in me that he was someone who would really fight for America, which was something that I thought he wasn't going to do.

So, right now, I'm kind of unsure. But I mean, the actions over the past two weeks, why Donald Trump has put him more in favor for me-- and I can't speak for other people who are Nikki Haley supporters, but that's where I am currently.

CATHY WURZER: When it comes to running mates, we really don't know who Mr. Trump is thinking about at this point. We're going to find out shortly. But I'm curious as to who you'd like to see take the number two spot, Addie.

ADDIE RAUM: Yeah, I mean, as a proud North Dakotan, I'm going to have to say Doug Burgum. I mean, it would be great to see my governor up there, but I also think Tim Scott would be a wonderful choice for the vice president. I think Tim Scott shows a lot of really great experience. He has a very level head.

And I think this is one of the cases where the vice president really does matter, and the choice would really influence a lot of voters. But he has some good choices there. But I think that Tim Scott would be a very good choice.

CATHY WURZER: And Cory, who are looking for?

CORY HALLADA: I'd like to second Tim Scott. I think that he is a very good choice. I know he's often accused of being boring, but I think that's actually very good for Trump. As much as I love him in many different ways, he certainly can be inflammatory. So I think a pick like Tim Scott, someone who really can keep a very level head and kind of present a very calm figure, I think he is, in my opinion, the best choice for Trump.

CATHY WURZER: Getting back to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, obviously, delegates are going to talk about the party platform. I want to ask you both about Project 2025, that vision created by the Heritage Foundation for another Trump term. It goes much farther than the Republican Party line. Cory, what's your initial reaction of that?

CORY HALLADA: Yeah, I have mixed thoughts about Project 2025. There are some things in there that I like, but I also like to mention that Trump did come out in a statement saying that he didn't really associate with them. So I don't think too much about Project 2025, at least if I'm going to take Trump for his word. I don't know how much of that is really going to make its way into his policy if he's elected.

CATHY WURZER: What other things are we going to be watching for here in the next couple of weeks? I'm curious here, Addie.

ADDIE RAUM: I'm really curious about-- well, of course, who Trump's running mate is going to be will be fascinating to me. But I'm also really curious what Biden is going to do. It seems to me that there's a lot of pressure on him to drop out. It's my personal opinion that he won't end up dropping out.

But if he does drop out, the entire game is going to change. And I'm really interested in watching his administration right now and all of the pressure that is on his administration and on him specifically to make the right choice. And I find that to be really interesting. And how Trump reacts to that, too, is something that I'm watching currently.

CATHY WURZER: Cory, would you agree with that?

CORY HALLADA: Yeah, I agree with a lot of that. I think I'm very particularly interested in kind of how Trump and his campaign respond to the assassination attempt. I'm curious it if it can be something unifying, or what I hope doesn't happen is that it's weaponized to kind of blame people other than the shooter for the events that took place. So I'm kind of curious how the campaign uses the assassination attempt in the next few weeks.

CATHY WURZER: All right. I know you both are busy. It's been a pleasure talking to you again. Thank you so much. Take care of yourselves.

CORY HALLADA: Thank you for having us.

ADDIE RAUM: Yeah, thank you.

CATHY WURZER: Cory Hallada is an incoming senior at St. Olaf College in Northfield. Addie Raum is an incoming junior also at St. Olaf.