Felipe Goodman (52), a Democrat from Las Vegas, NV, is a Mexican immigrant. He was an assistant rabbi in Mexico City before joining Temple Beth Sholom in 1998. Named one of America’s most inspiring rabbis by The Forward in 2013, he participated in a series of White House meetings with President Barack Obama on relationships with the Jewish community and on Israel’s security. One reason he became a U.S. citizen 12 years ago was so he could vote.
We are providing the unfiltered opinions of voters interviewed for this project. Those views are based on their understanding and perception of facts and information from a range of sources. In some cases, that information may be misleading or incorrect.
Is it possible for Democrats and Republicans to ever agree on the facts around the president’s actions?
No, because this is not about facts. This is about politics, and it is being fought as a partisan issue. There is nothing that can be done. Republicans in the Senate will never declare Trump guilty even though they know the facts.
Do the impeachment proceedings hurt or improve Trump’s chances for re-election?
I think that is very much up in the air. The impeachment proceedings may embolden his followers and his base who see that he can do nothing wrong. However, maybe some people that were undecided or didn’t vote last time will not vote for him this time. I am not sure how this will impact the election.
Anything else you’d like to share on the topic of impeachment?
My biggest problem with the president is not what he did but how he lies about it. He thinks he can do and say whatever he wants and there are no consequences. That is a tremendous problem for me.
Which Democratic candidate(s) do you think will give Trump the greatest challenge for re-election?
Biden, because of his experience, or Pete Buttigieg, because he is young and Trump will have a hard time putting him in a box. I also think he is right on the issues and has demonstrated that his age is an asset and not a liability. I like his option for health care rather than Medicare for all, which I think will bankrupt our country.
Which Democratic candidate(s) do you think will give Trump the best chance for re-election?
Elizabeth Warren. She is extreme in her views and I have a feeling that Trump will be able to get her out of her wits.
Do you believe the candidate(s) you support are honest?
Yes, or at least 100 times more honest than Trump.