June 1, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Is negative campaigning affecting how you will vote in the June 6 primary?
(Asked at Almaden Oaks Plaza)


“Yes it is. What bothers me is that they don't seem to be discussing the issues, they are just bad mouthing each other and that's not going to solve anything. There are so many more important issues.”

Jill Carroll, 52
Almaden
Homemaker


“Yes it is. I can't stand the negative comments. I want these people to say what they can do or just not say anything. I want the candidates to say what actions they can do for us if they are elected to that office. It's mostly the two [Democrats] running for governor, they're both starting out the gate ugly.”

Mona Aparicio, 60ish
Almaden
Retired


“No, I don't pay any attention to it; I just look at the candidates.”

George Owen
Almaden
Retired


“Absolutely, the people that have to resort to smear campaigns are not the same ones I would vote for. If they would just take a position, any position, I’d consider them. But, the ones who bad mouth the opposing candidate are not the type of person I want in office."

Glee Huenergardt, 61
Almaden
Owns Williams Cutlery


“I don't like negative campaigning. I think it's pretty tasteless, especially if it’s hateful or slanderous. I do think politicians are responsible for the advertisements they run.”

Lisa Clevenger, 40
Almaden
Homemaker


"Absolutely, I'm very tired of all the negativeness in politics. There's so much backstabbing now in politics that I don't know who you can trust. It definitely affects how I vote and how I feel about politicians."

Shirley Vieira, 65
Almaden
Retired


"I can't vote because I'm not a U.S. citizen. I find there's almost a destructive amount of negativity in the elections I've experienced in the United States. It tends to cloud the real issues for people on who and what they are voting for ... ”

Adolph Hunter
Almaden
Corporate communications


“I don't vote. I'm not into politics.”

Lee Vela, 47
Almaden
Mercedes technician