"Then comes a surprise: Hickman says he worries McCain may involve the country in another war. In the follow-up discussion, it turns out that six others share that view. Most are inclined to see Obama in a favorable light"
And yet the MSM is telling us McCain is leading in New Hampshire!!
That's why I think Ron Paul got jobbed; I drove though New Hampshire quiet a bit, and Dr. Paul far and away won the lawn sign vote!!!
"In N.H., voters feel 'shaky' about the country" by Scot Lehigh | September 19, 2008
BEDFORD, N.H.
THEY'RE 12 anxious men and women, this group gathered like a political jury in a New Hampshire conference room on Wednesday night, after a day that saw the stock market take another precipitous drop.
That unease comes to the fore as soon as pollster Peter Hart, who's conducting this focus group for the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, asks for a word or phrase describing how things are going in the country.
"Worrisome," says Kathy Eddings, 60, a Democrat from Derry.
"Shaky," volunteers Jane Descoteau, 58, a Merrimack Republican.
"Fear," offers Ryan Melendy, 26, a Manchester Republican.
"Off the rails," adds Tom Hickman, 40, a Hollis independent.
"Catastrophic," judges Joan Rondeau, 66, of Manchester, another independent.
When Hart probes this group of eight independents, two Republicans, and two Democrats about what issues they consider most important, it's the economy, hands down.
That's hardly surprising given the news of the last few days. But this is: Only two mention Iraq. The consensus is that things are going to wind down there no matter who wins the White House.
Almost everyone thinks this will be a momentous election, but there's an acute frustration at the trivial nature of the dialogue. This campaign has been "nasty," "petty," "embarrassing," "vicious," "shameful," "like listening to children fight." Sick of the daily rancor and recrimination, the focus group participants wish the candidates would spend more time explaining their own plans and less time attacking their opponent - and that the media would focus on the issues and not the daily bickering. They themselves hardly pay any attention to it, or so they claim.
This group has had it with the incumbent. George W. Bush is "incompetent," "unqualified," "scary," "dogmatic," and, in an oft-repeated adjective, "embarrassing." But neither would Bill Clinton be pleased to be sitting behind the one-way mirror observing the discussion. He's "a dirty old man," "sick," "an embarrassment," "a cheater," and "a scam artist." Only four have even vaguely positive things to say about the former president.
Yes, America HATES the BUSH/CLINTON CRIME SYNDICATE!!!!
As for GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, she's considered feisty, friendly, family-oriented, and informal. And yet, some of the bloom has come off the rose since her convention speech. Several say she seemed scripted and poorly informed in her interviews with ABC's Charlie Gibson. One recurring worry is that with John McCain 72 years old, and the times tumultuous, it would be risky having someone so lightly experienced as vice president.
That said, among undecideds, there are also qualms about whether Barack Obama is ready. The GOP ticket has experience at the top and inexperience at the VP slot, while the Democratic ticket is the opposite, notes Shannon Foose, 36, a Londonderry independent, who says it leaves him "really at a loss."
When it comes to the choice between McCain and Obama, the crosscurrents are strong. Some speak well of McCain's character or service or independence. But several feel he's not the straight talker of 2000, while others see him as too close to Bush, worry about his age, or find him dull.
Then comes a surprise: Hickman says he worries McCain may involve the country in another war. In the follow-up discussion, it turns out that six others share that view.
Most are inclined to see Obama in a favorable light, describing him as honest, charismatic, persuasive, and smart, and likely to do better on the economy. And yet, from some of the comments, you sense that a complete comfort level is lacking.
In a guarded discussion of race, most say electing the first president of African-American heritage will be good for the country. One person, however, worries it will mean an expansion of affirmative action.
After watching the focus group discussion in this small battleground state, I came away thinking Obama has a better opportunity with voters like these. But he still needs to convince them he's up for the job and that he has a serious plan for the economy. That's just one more reason why, in this campaign, the presidential debates loom huge.
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