23 April 2008
Kansas City Area Voters Ready for November Election
Democrats, Republicans keeping current on candidates, issues
Kansas City, Missouri -- Like their fellow citizens across the nation, Kansas City area voters differ in their political party affiliations and their preferred presidential candidates, but they share worries about the U.S. engagement in Iraq and the state of the American economy.
Gene Kennedy, who identifies himself as a lifelong Democrat, say he "strongly" supports Barak Obama for president, citing the candidate’s youth and commitment to change.
Kennedy said he is not comfortable with Hilary Clinton, terming her "too hard." But, he said, in the U.S. presidential election he will support the Democratic nominee, whoever he or she is. Shirley Kennedy, his wife and a strong Clinton supporter, also plans to support whomever the Democratic Party nominates.
Ron Aggus, Kennedy’s friend since school days and another lifelong Democrat, said he has no candidate preference and will vote Democratic in November. Ron’s wife, Mary, shares both Ron’s ambivalence on the candidates and his commitment to vote Democratic in November.
The Kennedys and Agguses talked with America.gov April 17 about national politics in Overland Park, Kansas, a suburb of the Kansas City, Missouri, in America’s heartland.
The Kennedy’s daughter Karen, a property manager, has stronger views. She supports Obama and was inspired to abandon years of backing Clinton by the Illinois senator’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Karen is so enthused about the 2008 election that she braved the area’s heaviest snowstorm of the winter in February to participate in her first caucus. The turnout for the top eight Democratic candidates was "unbelievable" as approximately 2,000 people crowded into a community facility meant to accommodate 400. (See “Early Primaries and Caucuses Shape Presidential Hopefuls’ Odds.”)
Mother and daughter disagree on one issue that recently surfaced in the campaign -- controversy about statements made by Obama’s former pastor, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, in a speech to a college audience broadcast on the Internet’s YouTube.
Wright made what some called disparaging remarks about race relations in America. Shirley termed Wright’s remarks nonpatriotic, but Karen said the remarks differed little from many peoples’ views that U.S. leaders historically have made some poor decisions on this issue. (See “Debate Continues About Presidential Candidate’s Speech on Race.”)
The main issue for both the Kennedys and Agguses in the upcoming election is the war in Iraq, and all favor a U.S military withdrawal from Iraq as soon as possible.
"We never should have gotten in there in the first place," Ron said.
Economic issues also loom large for both families. "The dollar is sinking. We had a budget surplus under a Democratic administration,” Gene said.
He added he also worries that the Social Security system that has worked for his generation will not be funded sufficiently to support his children when they retire. "And the cost of health care has gotten unreasonable," he said.
His wife expressed concern about the ongoing rise in gasoline prices. "The oil companies are getting rich while it’s the poor people who are getting hurt most," she said.
REPUBLICAN POINTS OF VIEW
A few miles south in Belton, Missouri, farmers Mick and Tom Effertz and their office manager Judy Meyers, told America.gov why they -- and most of their neighbors -- support Republican John McCain for president.
McCain is the presumed Republican nominee for president, having secured a clear majority of votes of national convention delegates.
As with the Kennedys and Agguses, Iraq tops the Effertzes’ list of election issues. "We have to get the job done in Iraq," Mick said.
The Effertzes also said the failure of any candidate to address farm issues worries them.
Judy Meyers said that even though her employers are pleased that prices for wheat, soybeans and maize have risen recently, "as a consumer we pay more at the grocery store."
Health care is another major concern. Effertz Farms is "paying too much" for employee health insurance, she said.
The Effertzes said they’d like to see McCain select Mitt Romney as his vice presidential running mate.
"He knows what he’s talking about. He knows how to turn a business around and make money," Tom said.
