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So what are local voters thinking about the upcoming election?
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By MARLA TONCRAY, News Editor
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The first phases of the 2008 presidential election cycle are over with the completion of the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary and there appears to be no clear choice for which candidates will wind up securing their party's nomination for the White House.
In Iowa, Barrack Obama (D) and Mike Huckabee (R) were the winners, but within one week, voters in New Hampshire put Hillary Clinton (D) and John McCain (R) at the forefront of the race.
So what are local voters thinking about the upcoming election? A quick trip around town proved to be a study in politics by itself, with some people being more than happy to talk about their thoughts on the candidates and others not wanting to talk about politics at all.
• Jim Maher and Mike Childers, patrons of the Dairy Yum Yum in Aberdeen, both said they haven't decided on who they will vote for, but they both agree their vote is cast by the person, not by the political party.
"There's nobody telling me about what they can do or what they'd like to do," said Maher, who went on to say he's tired of all the negative campaigning.
When asked about the results of the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary, Maher said he wasn't really surprised by the results of Obama, Clinton, Huckabee and McCain winning, noting McCain's win was probably the biggest surprise, but he doesn't think he'll go on to win the nomination or even the election if nominated.
"I'm far from a liberal. I get taxed enough," said Maher when asked about whether or not he would vote for Hillary Clinton. "I'm not a fan of Hillary Clinton."
"I'm on the fence," Maher said about who he will vote for.
Childers also said he hasn't made a decision about which candidate he favors, but admits he wouldn't vote for either Clinton or Obama. He also said there isn't a Republican candidate he would vote for right now either.
"There are other people besides California and New York," Childers said about who the candidates should be trying to win over during their campaign.
"I don't see any one candidate standing out," Childers said.
• Sandy Mason was more than happy to share her thoughts on the election, having already made up her mind who she would vote for, or at least what party she votes for.
"Democrat all the way," Mason said with a big smile.
Mason's candidate of choice is John Edwards, but she doesn't think he'll garner enough support to win the Democrat nomination.
"It's too early to tell on him yet," she said.
So if Edwards gets bumped, her choice is Clinton and it's not because she's a woman.
"I think she is the one candidate above Obama who would help middle class people," Mason said.
With no interest in the Republican candidates at all, Mason said she sees the Democrat party nomination coming down to Clinton and Obama.
• Mark Funk voted in his first presidential election when Jimmy Carter ran for president in 1976. Funk said generally votes by the candidate rather than by party lines and likes evaluating the opposing points of view of all candidates.
"I've been watching this with interest because of the interesting horses in the race," Funk said. And why does he find the candidates so interesting? According to Funk it's because there is a woman, an African-American and a lot of variety in the field, which applies to the Democrats and Republicans.
Funk said Obama and Huckabee taking the Iowa Caucus surprised him, McCain's win in New Hampshire was a surprise, but Clinton's win in New Hampshire was "no surprise there."
"It's exciting to see no front runner at this time," Funk said, comparing the upcoming election to a basketball game with a close score, which keeps your interest down to the last minute.
• Nicole Miller is a registered voter, but she admits she hasn't kept up with the presidential campaign news or even who the candidates are.
But she was familiar enough with one candidate and said if she does vote in November, it will be for Hillary Clinton.
Her reasoning was simple and to the point, Miller said Clinton would get her vote because she is a woman and "if she is elected, she could run things better" then the men before her.
The 2008 Presidential election will take place Tuesday Nov. 4. If you are not a registered voter, or have moved since the last general election, you must contact your local county clerk's office before April 21, 2008 to be change your voter registration or to register for the first time to be eligible to vote in the November election.
To learn more about voter registration, visit the Kentucky Secretary of State Office Web site or www.sos.ky.gov or the Ohio Secretary of State Office Web site at http://www.sos.state.oh.us.
Contact Marla Toncray at marla.toncray@lee.net or 606-564-9091, ext. 275. |
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Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
Kymberly wrote on Jan 19, 2008 6:46 PM: " Interesting article Marla.
I always look forward to reading your work in the Ledger.
You do a fantastic job whether you are writing a feature story or covering and reporting the news. "
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