BALTIMORE — A sense of apathy and disinterest with November’s presidential election seems to have set in with Carroll County voters, as the political divide across the country grows stronger, according to Jordan Haegerich, co-chair of Central Maryland Braver Angels, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe place to talk politics.
“Although it is clear the political issues of our time are very important to locals, election fatigue has dampened our workshop attendance this year,” said Haegerich, who is registered with the No Labels Party.
Braver Angels’ popular workshops have been a gathering place for Republicans and Democrats in Carroll as well as surrounding counties to have constructive political discussions, by dialing down heated rhetoric.
“I think people enjoy the problem-solving without asking, ‘Who voted for who?’” said Haegerich, who co-chairs Braver Angels with Cindy Hirshberg. “When we get neighbors talking to neighbors you can have fruitful discussions.”
Hirshberg, a registered independent, said the meetings are not intended to change anyone’s mind about any one candidate.
“It’s the way [we used] to discuss things before politics became a violent sport,” she said.
In April, the former Carroll County Braver Angels transformed to Central Maryland Braver Angels, and now includes members from Frederick, Howard and Carroll counties.
The nonprofit, civic organization will hold its “Second Sunday Discussion Meeting” on July 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Brightview Westminster Ridge, 505 High Acre Drive in Westminster. The meeting is free and open to the public.
“Our monthly Second Sunday Discussion Meetings have provided a home for a small but dedicated group of individuals of different political stripes that have become friends and continue to discuss important topics of our day in a safe, respectful environment,” Haegerich said.
The July 14 topic, “Who Do Elected Officials Actually Work For?” will address whether voters’ voices matter, and if not, what can be done politically to change that.
“The [monthly topics] tend to be whatever is on the participants ‘minds,” Hirshberg said. “The purpose is not to change anybody’s mind.”
Meanwhile, like most Americans who watched the CNN presidential debate on June 27, Hirshberg and Haegerich differ in their opinions on how President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump performed.
“President Biden was much more frail than I realized,” Haegerich said. “Trump clearly won, but I was disappointed with the behavior on both sides.”
Hirshberg said she struggled with whether to watch the debate, but realized it was something she needed to do.
“I observed, when it was Trump’s turn, he ignored the questions from the moderators,” she said. “He would say something to distract and delay answering. What I observed is President Biden looking at the moderators and thinking, ‘OK, are you going to jump in?’”
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