The Anxious States of America: Our Journey in Search of Hope Reveals Surprises.
We embarked on a quest for hope.
In Hope.
From Maine to Alaska, we traveled to towns named Hope, exploring the state of a nation that seems deeply divided, filled with anger and anxiety about its future in the midst of a contentious election year. We encountered numerous challenges, both economic and existential.
According to the YSL News/Suffolk University Poll, a significant majority of Americans — more than two to one — believe the country is moving in the wrong direction. Only about half of probable voters, 49%, say they are voting primarily based on their hopes for what their chosen candidate can achieve if elected. In contrast, a notable 41% of voters admit their choice is more about their fears of what the opposing candidate might do if given the opportunity.
A sense of alarm appears to be the common feeling that unites us: the Anxious States of America.
Nevertheless, in many ways, Americans still hold a strong belief in the country’s resilience and maintain an optimistic outlook for the future. A remarkable 81% to 13% majority expresses “hope for the future of the country,” spanning various demographics including gender, race, and political affiliation.
This poll involved 1,000 likely voters and was conducted through landline and mobile phones from August 25 to 28, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
What instills hope in us? Leading the list is “the American spirit,” an abstract notion, and the U.S. Constitution, a tangible document that has stood for 237 years.
Conversely, there is widespread consensus on what contributes to feelings of hopelessness. Topping the list is “politicians,” a sentiment shared by Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike. Hot on their heels are concerns about “growing polarization and a lack of respect for differing opinions.”
“The divisiveness is a disaster,” says Kim Larson, 54, an accountant from Hyde Park, Utah, who participated in the survey. “People are unable to engage in conversations anymore. Friendships are breaking apart, and the negativity on social media is escalating — it’s making the country worse.”
Official population: 113. Is it time for a fact check?
In Hope, Alaska, issues like climate change and warming coastal waters are jeopardizing salmon fishing areas. Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, Hope, Maine, is witnessing tensions between long-term residents and the influx of newcomers who have come during the pandemic. Michigan is home to two Hope Townships, caught in the crossfire of campaign tactics that have strained some family relationships. Finally, Hope, New Mexico, struggles to maintain its small size, with an official population count of 113 — a number residents believe may be inflated.
“We’re pretty much a family here,” stated 85-year-old mayor Bill Fletcher. “We may not be related, but we operate like a family. When one of us is hurt, we all feel it.”
Hope, Arkansas, is working hard to rejuvenate its downtown area while facing challenges like dwindling population and low voter participation. The town enjoyed a moment of fame when its native son Bill Clinton highlighted his hometown during his presidential run, referencing “a place called Hope,” though he also criticized George H.W. Bush during his campaign.
This occurred in 1992, over three decades ago. In 2008, Barack Obama’s successful campaign emphasized “hope and change,” even while he ran negative ads against John McCain. His famous campaign poster prominently featured the word: “HOPE.”
However, that positive tone has not been the prevailing message in this election cycle. Republican nominee Donald Trump has warned that a loss for him could lead to catastrophic consequences, including economic collapse and a new world war, with issues like violent crime and unchecked illegal immigration posing threats to public safety and the nation’s survival.
“The only thing standing in the way of you and destruction is me,” the former president has stated.
Democratic nominee Kamala Harris has taken a more optimistic tone compared to her predecessor, President Joe Biden, who stepped back from the race. During his time, he cautioned that Trump’s election posed a threat to democracy. Her rhetoric tends to be less severe, but she firmly labels Trump as a potential authoritarian who would erode reproductive rights and other freedoms if he wins.
Interestingly, voters for Harris are slightly more inclined to be motivated by the fear of Trump than by hope for her candidacy, with 47% to 45%. This trend of fear being a stronger motivating factor is particularly visible among Biden supporters; in a YSL News survey from June, only 27% supported him out of hope, while a significant 66% did so out of fear of Trump.
In an August survey, 33% of Trump supporters indicated their backing was driven by fear of Kamala Harris, while 58% expressed hope in Trump.
The intensity of these emotions, which includes disbelief that anyone could support the opposing side, can hinder finding middle ground or even acknowledging its existence.
“I feel terrified and disgusted at the thought of what will happen if the other candidate wins,” shared Melissa Bennett, 54, an office manager from Pasco, Washington, who participated in the poll. A Republican, she is in favor of Trump. “My greatest concern revolves around our nation’s security with her as commander in chief.”
Shandee Gordon, 45, an elementary school principal in Morrilton, Arkansas, identifies as an independent and supports Harris.
“I’m optimistic she will deliver on her promises,” she stated. “As for him, he’s just an awful person who engages in criminal acts. I simply don’t understand why anyone would vote for him. I really don’t get it.”
Sources of Inspiration: Obama for Democrats, Reagan for Republicans
Given recent events, it’s not irrational for Americans to be apprehensive about the future.
We’ve faced the deadliest pandemic in a century, which has taken over a million lives in the U.S., the most violent attempt to disrupt a presidential election in history with the January 6 Capitol assault, and the most significant invasion in Europe since World War II, with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“Global events influence people’s anxieties about various issues,” noted Shana Kushner Gadarian, a political scientist at Syracuse University and co-author of “Anxious Politics: Democratic Citizenship in a Threatening World.”
“However, politicians often emphasize specific issues through ads and speeches,” she added, “because they believe, based on polling, that stirring anxiety benefits their political party.”
While fear is a formidable influence in politics, research shows that hope is actually a more effective motivator in winning votes.
Throughout American history, the most revered presidents have centered their messages around hope during dire times. Abraham Lincoln urged citizens to appeal to “the better angels of our nature” in his first inaugural speech as the Civil War approached. Franklin D. Roosevelt, amidst the Great Depression, reassured the nation, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Almost 90% of Americans believe they have lived during a presidency that inspired them.
Here, the responses reveal a definite partisan divide. Nearly half of Republicans, 48%, mention Ronald Reagan, while only 3% of Democrats feel the same. In the GOP, Trump is the second most mentioned figure at 18%.
For Democrats, over half, 56%, point to Barack Obama compared to just 4% of Republicans. Among Democrats, John F. Kennedy ranks second at 17%. (JFK was assassinated in 1963, so those who experienced his presidency would currently be at least 60.)
The previous poll conducted among 1,000 registered voters via landline and cellphone from June 28-30 has a margin of error of 3.1 points.
In their personal lives, Americans report that their family, faith, and friends provide them hope. They also cite young people, after the “American spirit” and the Constitution, as a source of national strength. When discussing feelings of hopelessness, they often point to today’s political climate and global events.
Campaigns and candidates have a significant impact on the levels of hope and hopelessness felt by Americans.
The poll taken right before Independence Day, when Biden was viewed as the presumptive Democratic nominee, showed 84% of Democrats were optimistic about the future — a figure that increased by nine points to 93% when asked again two months later, after Harris was confirmed as the nominee.
Conversely, the sentiment among Republicans saw a decline. In late June, 82% expressed optimism for the future, but this dropped significantly by late August, down to 72%. This period included the recent assassination attempt on Trump, alongside a growing belief that his election campaign will face a tougher challenge against Harris than it would have against Biden.
“I recognize that the country and the world have issues,” said Jane Crosson, 67, a retired pediatric cardiologist from Durham, North Carolina, who supports Harris. “Yet I believe these problems are manageable. There are many positive developments happening, and I think we can progress if we move past this chaos.”
Hope holds a special allure, reflected by Jeannine Jabaay, 47, from Hope, Alaska, the last stop on the continental U.S. highway. Her family owns and runs both the Dirty Skillet Restaurant and Bear Creek Lodge Cabins there.
“Hope has a mysterious way of captivating people,” she remarked. “No one finds themselves in Hope without intention.”
Contributing: Trevor Hughes, Lauren Villagran