Tennessee voters comment on the 2008 election ... join the discussion!
The Associated PressOriginally published: November 04. 2008 4:58PM
Last modified: November 04. 2008 5:05PM
The Associated Press interviewed voters from Tennessee today. Here is some of what they had to say about Election Day 2008:
"I think it's foreign policy more than anything else. He's (McCain) proven, Obama has no foreign experience." — Darrell Ozment, 47, of Nashville, who said he votes in every election and voted straight Republican.
"The biggest thing on my mind is health care. Older people, younger people. Everybody should have a shot at health care." — Anjanette Broadway, 39 of Memphis, who voted for Obama and said she's a Democrat.
"I don't know who Obama is and that scares me. It also scares me to have a completely Democratic Congress and a Democratic president, who from all news sources is very liberal." — Steve Herriman, 66, of Memphis, who said he voted for McCain, but would not be upset whoever wins.
"The top issues are the economy, the economy and the economy." — Erik Olson, 26, of Nashville, who said he voted for Obama and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Bob Tuke.
"It seems so much closer than it ever has been." — Amy Cannon, 39, of Nashville, who said she voted for McCain and U.S. Senate incumbent Lamar Alexander because she always votes Republican.
"I just think Lamar has a record of service — even if I don't agree with everything he has done or may do." — Jack Alexander, 49, of Nashville, who describes himself as an independent and supporter of U.S. Senate incumbent Lamar Alexander.
"It wasn't an easy decision. I basically just made the decision today. I just cannot imagine if something happened to McCain having Sarah Palin as president of the United States. ... I voted for Lamar Alexander (for U.S. Senate). I basically voted for the first name I recognized." — Amanda Shaw, a 20-year-old student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said she voted for Obama. She supports Obama's approach to dealing with the economy and ending the war in Iraq and has concerns about McCain's strong support for nuclear energy.
"It's hard for me to put anything else above life. I don't think he (McCain) is just another Bush. I think he is willing to reach across party lines." The economy is also a big issue "but what bothers me most is nobody is talking about our own personal responsibility" instead of what the government is going to do for us. — Scott Noll, 32, of Chattanooga, who voted for John McCain, mainly because of the abortion issue and his experience.
"I don't trust Republicans to do anything and I don't like George Bush. I don't like Sarah Palin at all. I think she is a disgrace for women. I was insulted that they thought they could get the women's vote after Hillary. She (Palin) is no Hillary, nor will she ever be." — Nora Ernst, 65, a retired college administrator in Chattanooga, said she voted for Obama because of his views on the economy, health care and education.
"It's really groundbreaking. It's going to either be a black man or woman as vice president." — Alex Ison, 24, of Nashville, said she voted for Obama because of the economy and family financial hardship.
"My grandparents were successful because of capitalism. We're entrepreneurs and private business owners, and feel like perpetuating that type of environment is so important to the integrity of our country that everybody's got a shot no matter what." — Abraham Doctor, 27, manages a restaurant in Franklin, said he voted for McCain because of his views on the economy and national security.
"I hope that what I will remember most about today is that it will be the first time I've voted for somebody who's actually won. Usually the people I vote for lose." — Ron Peckham, 24, of Martin said he voted for Obama and had voted for John Kerry in 2004 in his first presidential election.
"I think I will remember all of the 'nasty' ads that have been out, and I'm just glad that it's over." — Carol Bing, 61, of Martin said she voted for McCain and sees the economy as the most important issue.
"I'm a little afraid (for Obama) I don't know why, but there seem to be still so many evil-thinking people in the world even after all these years. I remember only being allowed to go to the Memphis Zoo on Wednesdays, or not being able to take my kids to the (Mid-South) Fair or even the colored and white drinking fountains in department stores. Once when I was little, I dipped my finger in the water stream from the white fountain to see if the water tasted different. So much has changed." — Margaret Thompson, 82, of Bartlett said as she waited in a van while her son voted for Obama.
"My son has been there for two rounds and I think if we pull out and lose Iraq, his being there was for nothing. (He is back now) It was very hard on him." — Arleen Erbele, 55, a shipping and receiving manager for a sewing supply store in Knoxville, voted for McCain because of her concerns on the war and the economy.
"I think right now people are more concerned about the economy and their jobs than anything. How is this going to affect me." — Dave Puncochar, 32, Knoxville church worker after losing his job in the pharmaceutical sales in April, voted for McCain.
Copyright 2008, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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