Sanders and Trump — for all the criticism they face about being unrealistic in their promises — lean toward aspirational rhetoric, assuring voters they have solutions to the country’s myriad problems that Washington has been unable or unwilling to fix. They project confidence in a political moment when voters yearn for leaders who can do away with the deep sense of economic malaise engulfing the country.

But how do fans of both candidates reconcile their ideological differences?

“It’s about the person,” said Beal.

“I just mainly go by the debates and how they handle themselves during conflict. It’s the person; how they handle it when it comes down,” said Pam Carroll, 51.“I think we need someone in here like Trump who can take control. To be a bully; I’m sorry but I’m being honest. To take control of China and Mexico. We need to take our country back.”