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Danbury resident Ronni Backer, who voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton, said she has been depressed since learning of Republican Donald Trump's victory. "I feel horrified, disappointed and scared," she said.
She feels the public did not realize the strong support for Trump and blames the media for this. "The media should be doing a better job of getting a sense of what the everyday people are thinking and feeling and what's happening with them," she said.
She is doubtful that Trump will be able to unite the country.
"I think it's really hard to know what will happen next because he hasn't put forth many policies and over the years he has had different positions on issues," she said. "Obviously he was very entertaining to watch on TV."
Backer said she had much more confidence in Clinton.
"She is a seasoned politician. I believe she did a good job as senator and secretary of state and understands how government works. I feel she could be trusted to treat people diplomatically," Backer said.
Like Backer, Danbury resident Matt Corso also expressed doubts about Trump's potential. "I'm not sure what will happen next. Trump has a court date on Nov. 28 about Trump University and fraud.
"I don't know if he's the one to bring us together," Corso said.
However, Corso said he plans to keep an open mind about Trump. "He won the election, so I'll give him credit for that and wait and see. I did think his victory speech was a good start.
"There are a lot of people in this country who are worried that the American dream is unattainable for them and that Trump, not being a politician, might be the answer," Corso said. "He seems to know how to connect to those people."
Danbury resident Richard Matzinger, who voted for Trump, said the public was dissatisfied with Clinton.
"They are very turned off by the scandals Clinton and the Democratic campaign are facing.
"The email scandal for me was a strong indicator that she was not very forthcoming," Matzinger said. "She also lied to the families of the four individuals who died in Benghazi in 2012 and blamed the attack on a 'video.'"
Matzinger said he believes Trump will be able to unite the country. "We will all come together to support the new president. ... I believe Trump has the ability to compromise for the sake of our country," he said.
Brookfield resident Glenn McCabe, who is an Independent, said Trump won because people want change and are dissatisfied with the current administration.
"For example, you can't find one person who received the average $2,500 savings promised by pushing through the Affordable Care Act," he said. "In fact, we go quite the opposite if you've opened your mail this month.
"You can't blatantly lie to an entire populace and expect there not to be consequences. And that's just one example. [Clinton] was going to be more of the same, and had nothing new to offer except doubling down," he said.
McCabe said Trump will make a good attempt to unite the country. "You've seen how he went from his scorched-earth approach during the debates, and then start reaching out to some of his opponents after.
"He has the ability," McCabe said. "Once people realize he's not the boogeyman, he has a chance to get some things done."
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