SCRANTON, Pa. — Debra Gulvas voted for Hillary Clinton in 2008, hoping to see the United States elect its first female president.
But she left the Democratic Party last spring and now supports Donald Trump. Clinton’s recent remark that half of Trump’s supporters are a “basket of deplorables” only served to solidify Gulvas’ choice.
“She’s calling everyone a name,” said Gulvas, a retired Social Security supervisor from Plymouth, Pennsylvania. “She’s insulting all of America.”
For many, the comment reinforces the notion that Clinton is a wealthy elitist who can’t relate to the lower- and middle-class families who make up much of the electorate in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
Clinton made the comment Friday at a New York fundraiser, saying Trump’s base was split between people seeking a change and a group of racist, sexist, homophobic or xenophobic Americans.
She quickly said she regretted being “grossly generalistic” but that she would continue to speak out about bigotry and racist rhetoric during the campaign.
“I’m not racist. I’m not homophobic. I have an uncle who’s gay,” said Mike Santos, a Dunmore diesel mechanic and independent voter who is leaning toward Trump.
Republicans have spent days criticizing Clinton for words that they say insulted average American voters. Trump, who himself frequently insults large groups of the population, called the language from Clinton the “biggest mistake” of the campaign season.
“The disdain that Hillary Clinton expressed toward millions of Americans disqualifies her from public service,” Trump said this week. “You cannot run for president if you have such contempt in your heart for the American voter. You can’t lead this nation if you have such a low opinion of its citizens.”
Clinton’s remarks came two days before she abruptly departed a 9/11 ceremony in New York. She was caught on camera stumbling and struggling to walk as she was helped into a waiting vehicle.
She caused an uproar by ditching her press corps and waiting 90 minutes to offer a partial explanation of what had happened. It wasn’t until hours later that Clinton’s campaign announced she had been diagnosed with pneumonia two days earlier and released a statement from her doctor.
Voters here appeared less worried that Clinton was slow to respond to health questions and much more concerned about the “deplorable” comment. Independent voters said they were troubled by the remarks, and those already leaning toward Trump said they felt more strongly about their candidate.
“She segregates herself from everybody else,” said Gloria Gebert, a Canaan Township beauty salon owner who is a Republican. “She thinks other people are beneath her.”
Some Democrats praised Clinton for quickly saying she regretted the phrase while others said it could actually help her with those who might not be enthusiastic enough to get to the polls.
“In any campaign you’re going to say something that appears too sharp,” said P.J. Crowley, who was a State Department spokesman under Clinton.