Published: October 07, 2008 11:33 pm            

Undecided on nation’s next leader

Economy main concern for local voters

Editor’s note: The Kokomo Tribune, as part of a nationwide project by Newspaper Holdings Inc., is tracking five undecided voters before the Nov. 4 election. NHI newspapers are asking the same questions in several other states where voters could swing either way. We will do follow up with five local voters through the remainder of the campaign.

With Election Day less than a month away, several voters in Howard County remain sitting on the fence when it comes to either voting for Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama.

For the first time in almost four decades, Indiana is considered a swing state in the presidential race. Traditionally, the state supports the GOP candidate for president.

“We were both decided on Obama, but after hearing some things about his stand on abortion and gay rights, it kinda make us think,” was the response from Travis and Hayley Stevens, both 21 years old.

Local business owner Sandy Quarles, 72, said neither candidate has convinced him about the situation in this country.

“[President] Bush wanted the bailout package so he could help the economy go,” Quarles said. “I think Democrats wanted it so they could get some votes. Let’s stop playing politics. Let’s get our heart and soul into this thing.”

First time voter Tyler Keck, a senior at Taylor High School, said he remains undecided because both candidates have had positive and negative views on decisions that will impact his future.

“It is difficult to decide on which candidates I should follow,” he said.

Harold Hjelmeland, 74, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, said he is undecided because both candidates are promising change.

“I don’t expect to make up my mind until I have the ballot in my hand,” he said. “I am not leaning toward one ticket at this juncture. I vote for the man, his values, goals, stands on the issues and never a given party.”

Renae Aeschliman, 26, a manager with Harris Bank, said right now she is in the middle between Obama and McCain.

“I do expect to make up my mind before the actual Election Day, however I just haven’t done it,” she said.

All five Howard County residents listed the national economy as their biggest concern, with the war in Iraq and foreign policy matters at the bottom of the list.

They all agreed that the candidates have not addressed those issues to their satisfaction.

“No, they haven’t,” Quarles said. “I listened to them [during the first debate], and I think they both did a lousy job. Stop saying things just to get a vote. This is too critical to ‘just get a vote.’ Just to be saying things just to say it ... we’re not solving the problem.”

Keck said they have addressed the issues that concern him but not to his satisfaction.

“They have promised to fulfill all the things they mention in their speeches,” he said, “but you know how that goes.”

The Stevens want to know what the candidates will do to bring American troops home from Iraq.

Only Keck and Travis and Hayley Stevens said the two remaining presidential debates will have an impact on their final decision.

“We will hear what the candidates actually have to say,” Keck commented. “There are no pre-planned speeches, no public relations to correct what the president has said, so we will receive a real feel for what the candidates truly believe.”

The Stevens said because of all the campaign commercials they don’t really know which way to go.

“With the debates, all the issues are out in the open,” they said.

Hjelmeland said the debates won’t impact his decision because he believes the two candidates throw stones at each other and play the blame game and talk about new or expanded entitlement programs.

“Somebody failed to tell them that this country is in trouble and is broke,” he said.

Quarles will watch the debates but added if they become boring he will switch to something else.

Aeschliman said she won’t watch the debates but will try to read or watch reviews on comments made by the candidates.

        

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