Seeing Both Sides
Debate analysis by opposing voters
Bridget Streeter
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After the final Presidential Debates on Oct. 15, two voters were interviewed on their reaction to the candidates' presentations. There interviews are as follows:
I SUPPORT OBAMA:
What is your name, age, and occupation?
Maurene Streeter, 47, teacher.
Where were you born?
Bridgeport, CT.
Are you registered to one particular political party?
No.
Yes or no, what made you make this decision?
I prefer leaving myself flexible to vote for either party.
Did you watch any of the presidential debates, if so how many, which ones?
All of them.
What was your general reaction to both candidates?
Senator Obama was posed and collected and Senator McCain was reactive.
During the debates did you feel confused at all while listening to the two opponents talk?
No.
What candidate do you feel did best and why?
Senator Obama surpassed Senator McCain with not only his diplomatic poise but was also able to answer questions more specifically as opposed to using reaction time as attach time, which Senator McCain seemed to do more of.
What would you consider the general theme of each candidates answers..what issues were most important to them?
Obama- Health care, the economy, energy & education. McCain: The war and experience
Did you feel the candidates were answering the questions directly at all times or talking around them?
They seemed to talk around the questions but at times they answered directly. Obama was more successful at this.
What do you think was strong about both candidates presentation?
Obama was clam well spoken and aware of the vast majorities needs. McCain is a strong individual who has survived the longevity of time, he is a more patriotic figure head.
How would you describe both candidates demeanor during the debates?
Obama calm and poised. McCain reactive and on the attack.
Do you feel one candidate over the other was attacking their opponent more?
Yes, McCain.
Who are you voting for?
Senator Obama.
Did watching the debates influence your vote?
A bit but doing objective research on each candidate’s biographies gave me more information.
Did it just confirm your former point of view…if so what was it?
No at times the media hype of it confused me.
Do you think the candidates represent their parties well?
Obama yes, McCain No.
Which candidate do you feel better reflects the needs of the people and why?
Obama, because he represents both the middle class and the future of our young in education.
Have you voted in past elections?
Yes
If so how did you vote before…democratic, republican, independent?
Individual / Kerry in 2004.
I SUPPORT MCCAIN:
What is your name, age, and occupation?
John Streeter, 48, engineer.
Where were you born?
Ilion, New York, USA
Are you registered to one particular political party?
Yes, Republican.
Do you always vote for that party?
No.
Yes or no, what made you make this decision?
My belief in the position of the individual candidates.
Did you watch any of the presidential debates, if so how many, which ones?
Yes, all three and the VP debate.
What was your general reaction to both candidates?
McCain is a true American hero who’s made choices and performed tasks to better America and not himself. The debates did not sway my beliefs of the candidates. Though Obama, in some cases, seemed to be a better orator his message of taxing, redistribution of wealth, big government and entitlements was still clear to me. McCain clearly reinforced his position to cut the waist out of government, that he will make decisions that are best for the country and not himself or the powerful few, that he wants to get to the root of our economic problems and not just through money at it. Over all I thought both candidates did well, they both stuck to the themes of their platforms and stayed away from being degrading to each other.
During the debates did you feel confused at all while listening to the two opponents talk?
No, though the candidates (both of them) didn’t give very good answers to the questions and spun off to the theme of their platform this was not confusing to me. Due to the complexity of each issue they can not answer in great detail and are forced to fall back to the general position of their platforms. However on the issue of cutting government spending in light of our current economic situation Obama would not say what programs or departments he would make cuts in, McCain gave three (3) examples and I believe this is an indication of the level of understanding or experience with our government and McCain’s ability and resolve to make the hard decisions and stand by them.
What candidate do you feel did best and why?
McCain because he supports tactics to move this country forward that are most closely aligned with mine.
What would you consider the general theme of each candidates answers..what issues were most important to them?
Obama- Increased taxes, big government, entitlements, redistribution of wealth, rolling over to terrorists. McCain – Country first! Doing what’s best for the country. Reduce tax burden, increase energy independence and creating jobs, a strong and secure America, free trade, equality for women (equal pay for equal work), reducing government inefficiencies and waste.
How did they emphasize them?
Obama showed that he was for big government and big taxes by promising all kinds of government spending and not saying where government could or should be cut. McCain showed he was for limited government and for a strong republic by emphasizing that he would and could find places to cut government waist, that he would veto bills full of pork, that he would strengthen America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil and work towards free trade, that he would ‘work across the isle’ or do what ever was needed (popular or not) to do what’s best for America, that he would keep a strong America and not roll over to any threat to our nation.
Did you feel the candidates were answering the questions directly at all times or talking around them?
Though both talked around them, as I discussed above, I believe McCain was brave enough to give more specifics on helping the economy by creating jobs working towards energy independence and reducing government spending by sighting places he would cut, that he would look at all government agencies to reduce waist, he would veto bills filled with pork, he would be able to make the unselfish choices that would be best for America.
What do you think was strong about both candidates presentation?
Obama – young, smart. McCain – experienced, strong, relentless, down to earth, patriotic, stands for the country.
How would you describe both candidates demeanor during the debates?
Cordial and forceful of their points of view.
Do you feel one candidate over the other was attacking their opponent more?
No.
Who are you voting for?
McCain – Palin.
Did watching the debates influence your vote?
Yes, it made me more resolved that McCain is our best choice.
Do you think the candidates represent their parties well?
Yes.
Which candidate do you feel better reflects the needs of the people and why?
McCain! We already have redistribution of wealth. The riches 5% of the population pay 60% of the taxes. 50% of the population is classified as having 0 (zero) income. We need a strong leader in this hostile economic, political and territorial landscape, I believe John McCain is such a leader. We need energy independence and we need to use every type of resource we have including nuclear. Our nation must stand strong with our allies, foster free trade and eliminate terrorism and I believe John McCain will better be able to do this. We need a leader that will reduce government waist and stand firm against pork barrel spending. We need a leader that won’t bow to special interest groups and will make the selfless decisions that are best for our country. I believe John McCain is such a leader.
Have you voted in past elections?
Yes.
If so how did you vote before…democratic, republican, independent?
Mostly Republican, 2004 Republican.
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