Who are these mythical, mysterious beings known as "Trump voters"?

Have you ever seen a more maligned group? The pundits – many on the same big donor gravy trains as other candidates – usually end up speaking for them or insulting them. The media does a poor job of understanding rural voters, especially; in Wisconsin, those voters are trending Trump more than those in the Southeast.  

Sometimes in the past, talk radio has given them a voice, but Wisconsin talk radio is anti-Trump. And when’s the last time you saw a rural voter thoroughly interviewed on national TV instead of a beltway pol or consultant?

"I appreciate the chance to let people hear the opinions of some of us on the ‘outside,’" said one, Edward Meisegeier, 31, a paper mill worker and sheep farmer from northern Wisconsin. He recently decided to vote for Trump after considering Ted Cruz. "A lot of the people that I spend my days with are tired of both parties, and sick and tired of big government that doesn't know or have any realistic interest in what we need or want."

I had nuanced conversations with Trump voters/supporters that didn’t revolve around prejudging them. I found them to hold complex views. Immigration is not driving their support, nor race – at least not with those I interviewed. Meisegeier, for example, is drawn by Trump’s views against land regulation (disclosure: I’m related to him by marriage).

In some cases, they were new voters or people not aligned with a party. These folks aren’t supporting Trump because they’re OK with his insults. They’re supporting him despite them.

"I know he is a pompous ass, but we need things shook up and fixed," said Eric Brown, of Appleton.

Some voters are toying with Trump.

"I am a conservative that is considering a vote for Trump," Wisconsinite Jamie Miller said. "I do not agree with his approach and language in many circumstances – ok, most – although I do find it entertaining. The common sense, no nonsense, anti-Washington insider approach is something I find intriguing. I would like to see a business person tackle national debt, trade and our overall international position. Over the last few years, I have personally shifted my focus away from social issues that drive the Republican Party."

They share economic angst, dislike of governmental regulation and a belief that Trump is forthright.

I tried to pick Trump voters from different areas (they were all guys; I know a few female Trump supporters who didn’t want to talk). I also interviewed a Cruz supporter for whom Trump is second choice.

Maybe the GOP, in rhetoric and perhaps policy, has forgotten the worker, while focusing on "businesses and CEOs." Maybe the party should try to figure out why Trump voters are so upset by listening. You can’t fix what you don’t try to understand.

Usually, these folks are given mere soundbites. We can learn more from the nuance they are rarely granted. So here it is in their words:

The northern Wisconsin farmer

Meisegeier, 31, lives in Ladysmith, located in northwest Wisconsin, where he works in a paper mill and runs a sheep farm. He was torn between Trump and Cruz a few days ago, but now says, "Cruz seems to be falling apart a little bit. Scandals and whatnot."

Meiseigeier doesn’t affiliate with a political party.

"I don't really consider myself anything. I try to stick to common sense when possible."

Why Trump?

"Trump says some things I like, but he also says some pretty crazy stuff. I'm a little wary of things like walls around the country, and I'm concerned about his diplomatic abilities, but I like some of the things I've heard. I’ve also considered Ted Cruz."

He’s now settled on Trump.

"I'm not very political. I'm a bit of a single issue voter sometimes. Trump has recently said some things about the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) that has been on my mind. Also I'm huge on gun rights. I really like the fact that he is self-funded, that he isn’t being bought and paid for by anyone. I agree that he should calm down with the crazy stuff, but I really don't think he's going to build a wall or make Muslims wear name tags."

As for the BLM, he offered this link about Trump railing against federal land ownership, saying, "I think that the government needs to back off of farmers."

"I like how Trump isn't afraid to speak his mind, and his stance on the BLM and gun rights. Cruz, on the other hand is basically saying the same things, but he's slightly more compassionate. Maybe. Honestly, I like that Trump seems to be more forward about things."

He thinks building a wall is crazy, though.

"Walls are not economically sensible or realistic. I agree that we need to keep a better watch on our borders, but walls? Probably not. What do I like least about Cruz? He seems a bit vague, maybe a little like he knows what his demographic wants him to say."

Why not vote Democratic?

"I really don't like Hillary. The business about the emails and Benghazi. I really hate how she acts like that stuff doesn't matter. Like we should all just drop it because it's in the past. Bernie bothers me too; it seems that he panders to a group of young people that have limited interest in supporting themselves and want to rely on ‘the government will take care of me.’"

I asked him to explain his stance on "gun rights."

"I hate that the left and the media demonize gun owners and the lack of common sense surrounding guns. It's obvious that gun-related problems are the worst in places with the most gun related restrictions. The fact that this is ignored frustrates me. I've been around guns my whole life and have never seen them as the source of the problems attributed to them … I hunt of course, I also have a concealed carry license. Honestly, though, I mostly shoot recreationally. I feel about guns like some people feel about bowling. Or darts. Or any sport where sending a projectile to a target accurately is the goal. Also, I grew up with a strong love and respect for guns."

The man from Appleton

Eric Brown, 41, of Appleton, works in sales management in the recreation vehicle industry.

Why Trump?

"I like him actually as I liked Mitt Romney. I am sick of career politicians that argue about nothing but party lines. We need a business leader to get deficit spending in control; I mean we are almost to the point of no return. I like the fact that when fact checked he is, from what I’ve seen, more honest with his statements. He says it like it is. I know he is a pompous ass, but we need things shook up and fixed."

He doesn’t like the name calling.

"I don’t think this gets anywhere. A little rib here and there is fine; it helps people relate, but there is a limit. This being said, I feel that is what has kept him in the forefront of the race. It’s like the old days of shock jocks. You hate them, but you have to listen as to hear what will they say next."

When did he decide to vote for Trump and why?

"I actually started liking him after the last race ... The United States is a commodity! We need to charge for our services and goods instead of the negative trade that we have been doing. We need to get our labor force competitive with other countries, not by just cutting pay but by cutting out the reason that pay has gotten so expensive … We give billions in foreign aid, yet our debt is skyrocketing. We need common sense, not to be popular in the world. It seems to me that we have our hands in everything in the world and leave the stuff here at home untouched … He will take the unpopular method and make it happen for a positive turnout – in my opinion much like Walker did here."

He believes people unfairly paint Trump voters as "racist bigots, and that we are all mean and just want to call people names and not listen to other opinions."

"I have been a Republican all my life. I grew up in a small business household … I am a huge supporter of you earn and receive what you work hard for. Some I know are in areas where they aren’t afforded the same opportunities as others. I work my ass off. I am heavy in debt from being a small business owner for five years after the mortgage collapse of 2008. I didn’t file bankruptcy; I haven’t looked for handouts. I picked myself up, dusted off and got to work, adjusted spending habits. It is time that we as Americans look for smarter solutions, quit the handouts, get back to being what our Constitution asked for. I am not racist, or I don’t look down on anyone except those that aren’t willing to work as hard as I have for what I have."

He voted for Romney last election. 

"I am a Republican; my jobs success is based pretty much solely on good economic times. My decisions are based primarily on the economy. My second choice would be obviously Cruz. I like Cruz; I just think we need someone more dynamic."

What if delegates give the nomination to someone else?

"I will be very disappointed. I feel that the people have spoken. I cannot stand the whole, 'How do we stop Trump' comments. He is leading not by a little, but by a lot. We need to rally and show our support. We cannot handle four more years of Democratic rule, in my opinion, so let’s get behind the guy who’s there. Who the people are leaning to." 

The teenager just entering the process

Jordan Zielinki is 17 and lives in Washington County. With his father’s permission, he explained why he’s joined team Trump (although he's not old enough to vote yet; he’s a volunteer). What interested me about Jordan is that Trump has ignited his interest in politics.

Why Trump?

"He is self-funded so he can't be bought, unlike other politicians. He speaks his mind and speaks the truth when others are afraid to say those things. I also like the idea of building the wall to protect our border."

What about the name calling?

"Most of the time he doesn't start the name calling. I think that's part of politics ... it can be dirty."

Jordan has supported Trump since July.

"That's when I started researching all of the candidates. I believe we need a change, and he offers this country that chance to change more than any other candidate."

He doesn’t like stereotypes of Trump voters.

"People have the right to support whoever they want. The media often don't talk about the positives that Trump brings and the positive things about Trump supporters in general. I happen to be very accepting ... I'm not racist and not the type of person to bash others because of their race, religion, sexual preference, etc. I wasn't brought up that way. People think Trump supporters are white supremacists, haters and violent. That is so unfair."

What of violence at Trump rallies?

"The media is looking for viewers and are motivated by dollars. Trump doesn't want or encourage violence. The media highlights this, and it’s only the actions of very few people. One of the keys to a Trump victory is his vice president selection."

If not Trump, he’d back Rubio.

"I've always been a conservative, and as a 17-year-old, I look forward to voting in the future."

He will be disappointed if there’s an open convention, and someone else was picked.

"That would be the death of the Republican Party. In the summer, the GOP was begging Trump not to go third party and made him sign a document. I would never support the ‘old’ Republican Party if this happened, and I think you'd see a new party grow out of this. I could never support or vote for Hillary."

The Milwaukeean

Joey Berzati, 44, is a delivery driver in Milwaukee.

Why Trump?

"Because of his passion to make the United States great again, to make us strong again, and his strong support of our military veterans and active members serving now."

The name calling bothers him too.

"He is running to become our president, and if elected will be representing a great nation, and I don’t want him to be known as someone that does childish stuff like that."

He’s still voting Trump, though.

"When did I decide to vote for him? I’d say after watching a few of his speeches and seeing how he truly cares about our country and how he truly cares about our military and our vets and how he wants to bring jobs back to the United States, how he wants to keep America safe."

He thinks coverage of violence at rallies is unfair.

"I really think they (media) need to stop stirring the pot. If anything, they are the ones that are making matters worse. I’m sure there is violence at other candidates’ rallies, but they won’t report that. They only focus on Trump because he isn’t afraid to speak openly about anything. He’s very upfront, and as far as him not being able to beat Hillary, that’s far from the truth – he is gaining support daily."

Ron Paul would be his second choice.

"I lean more towards the Republican side. I didn’t vote last time because I didn’t care for either of them running at the time."

What if the GOP gives the nomination to someone else?

"I will still support him (Trump) until he decides to give up."

A few days later, though, (Tuesday), Berzati said he was now waffling on his Trump support. "He isn't being very professional like hanging up on Vicki McKenna; if you're trying to be our world leader, act like it," he said.

He's referring to when Trump, at the end of a lengthy interview with conservative talk show host McKenna on Monday, ended the call after saying, "Best of luck to you, Vicki." As a result, Berzati has moved from "sure" to "revisiting," and is contemplating voting for Cruz or Bernie Sanders instead, but isn't sure. This shows the fluidity of the race and public opinion.

The concerned Cruz voter

This guy, 30, lives in Waukesha County. He’s supporting Cruz, with Trump as second choice. He gave me his name but didn’t want it printed or it could hurt business. He’s troubled by the National Enquirer report on Cruz; if there’s proof offered, it could change his vote. For now, he’s with Cruz.

"He comes off as genuine to me. He appears to live his life to defend the things that he truly believes in … He has defended the Constitution in front of the Supreme Court. He’s laid out plans to shrink government, reduce regulation, reduce the debt and reform taxes. I also believe he has minimal influence from special interest groups and donors."

He doesn’t like it when Trump calls people names, putting Trump second.

"I admire his stance on not being politically correct, but I do not view Trump as ‘presidential’ based on the way he talks on Twitter and in the national media. Talking about candidates’ physical features and calling people idiots are not examples I want the world to see of someone representing America."

Still, he thinks stereotypes of Trump voters are unfair.

"Trump supporters are portrayed as old white guys, racists and hillbillies in the media. Minus his attitude ... I like many of his ideas. I’m educated, I have a nice job, I make very good money, I invest and I care about the country. I am not crazy or any of those things that the media portrays. I think many Trump supporters are afraid to admit it publicly."

He tends to identify with Republicans.

"I’m willing to ignore his (Trump’s) attitude because I do think an outsider in the White House would create an opportunity for change. I do not support democratic socialism, and I absolutely would never vote for Hillary Clinton. I voted for Mitt Romney in 2012."

He’d be upset by an open convention.

"I think it would absolutely wake America up that we are not being listened to. Many of us feel let down by the way Washington D.C. has been running for the past eight years. Government officials aren’t doing what they say they will do. As a result of that, the people are speaking through their vote."