January 31, 2008

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Are you planning to vote in the Feb. 5 primary election? Do you know who and what you are voting for? Has all the whoopla from the past year turned you off? Are the candidates discussing the issues that are important to you? (Asked at the Sonoma chicken Coop, McAbee Road at Almaden Expwy.)

“Yes, there are many reasons but most important because it’s my civic duty. I also feel that if I don’t express my vote, I have no valid reason to complain. I’m still on the fence about who to vote for. I think all the whoopla has made me more [politically] aware. Yes they are.”

Nancy Crain
Willow Glen
Owner, Special Occasion Favors


“Yes, because it’s very important and strategic who we have in office; someone who is aware of terrorism and we need a strong man in office. I’m almost 90 percent sure but I’m still checking it out. Not it has not turned me off and yes they are discussing the issues I’m interested in.”

Arlene Meador, 72
Almaden
Retired/field rep for CBN


“I am because it’s important. We need a president that will do what the people need. I’m teetering. I’ve narrowed it down to one or two. The whoopla didn’t bother me but now it’s getting a little tense. Yes they are discussing the issues I’m interested in.”

Jacquelyn Dreher, 50
Almaden
Work in the Willow Glen Middle School office


“Yes, it’s definitely our responsibility as a citizen to vote. Yes, I’ve decided. I’m turned off by all the whoopla. It’s a lot of drama and I’d prefer to just hear about the issues and where the candidates stand. Yes, sometimes they are talking the issues and sometimes their records speak for them.”

Elise Wolf, 53
Almaden
Teacher/fabric artist


“No, I’ll be out of town and I’m too lazy.”

Annette Finsterbusch, 44
Los Gatos
Venture capitalist


“I’ve already voted, so yes I decided. I think the whoopla was all a little premature and it overloaded the sense a bit. Yes, they are speaking to my issues.”

Robert Old, 33
Almaden
Price accuracy coordinator for Macys


“Yes, I voted absentee so I’ve decided who to vote for. I think it’s a little too much sometimes, especially when I see them bickering more than addressing the issues they should be discussing.”

Lea Paradiso, 30
Almaden
Student at San Diego State


“Absolutely, there are so many reasons why I’ll be voting, because it’s my civic duty, it’s part of the democratic process. I haven’t missed an election since I turned 18. I’m narrowing down, it’s between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. No, I actually wish we had a longer primary season. I’m concerned that it’s not spread out enough with 23 states deciding on Tsunami Tuesday. I think it would be more helpful to have a longer process so we could get more dialog. There are too many sound bites and most issues require more discussion. ”

DeeDee O’Moore, 45
San Jose
Production and sales trainer


“Yes, the way I see it, I have no right to complain unless I participate. I’ve got it narrowed down but I’m still not sure. I think the more dialog we get the better. The longer we have, the more we can find out about the candidates and the better the process. If we all decide on Feb. 5, it’s pretty scary for the rest of the election. Yes they are.”

Mike Carter, 44
San Jose
Real estate appraiser