The Undecided Voter Project

If you are interested in learning more about Obama, need not be afraid.
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
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Plan a meeting to talk with local people.

I envy those voters who have already made their decisions for this
year's presidential election. I spoke to a friend today who said she'd
mailed in her absentee ballot, even though she'll be in town on Nov.
4, because she didn't see any reason to wait. It's not like she was
going to change her mind. Heck, I've changed mine twice since I talked
to her this afternoon.

On Morning Edition, a political analyst said that undecided voters
tend to be female (check), young (not so much in reality, although
still in my mind), and uninformed. My problem is the exact opposite. I
watched all four debates, have had countless conversations with people
I respect (and even those I don't), regularly read two news weeklies
and two daily newspapers, and I listen to NPR so much, I don't even
tune out during fund drives. But the more information I get, the more
difficult my decision. Should I vote for McCain, like I did 8 years
ago when I wrote his name in even though he'd already pulled out of
the Pennsylvania primary? The reasons I liked him then are still true
today: he does what he thinks is right and works with others to make
it happen... and he seems just unbalanced enough that I can imagine
him taking immediate action if he thought it necessary -- that seems
like a good terrorist deterrent.

Or do I vote for the candidate of change who seems focused on making
things better and giving people optimism? Barack Obama has surrounded
himself with really smart people and run an extremely organized,
disciplined campaign. I felt strongly enough during the primary to put
his signs in my yard and welcome the conversations it attracted.

With my husband and I registered in different political parties, our
household has been getting a lot of political phone calls lately. I've
welcomed that dialogue from both parties, as much because I'm
intrigued by the sense of conviction of the volunteers, rather than
seeking their guidance. How can they be so sure they're right? Why
don't they share the seed of doubt at the heart of my decision? I'd
like to think I caused some of them to pause and reflect after our
conversations.

I don't typically have trouble making decisions. My husband and I
started talking marriage within a week of our first date. I told the
realtor I could imagine growing old with my grandchildren in my home--
while we were still on the front porch, during our first visit...
before we'd even toured the inside. The presidential decision is more
difficult for me personally, because I don't control the future, but
know the decision will be instrumental in what comes next for our
country. I tend to analyze the potential outcomes through the
experiences of my children. Which candidate is more likely to end war
-- for good? Who will be better able to get the economy back on track,
so we'll be able to afford to send our kids to college and still
retire; so that my children will have good employment opportunities
wherever they want to live? Which vice presidential candidate would I
more want to see in the White House, if that became necessary? And
since the last 7 years have been filled with things I never imagined
America would experience, who is better able to handle whatever
unknowns are no doubt around the corner?

My dream team? A McCain-Obama or Obama-McCain ticket. Experience
combined with hope; bipartisanship; maverick plus wonk. Regardless of how I feel
now, I will make a choice and I will ultimately use my voice in the
voting booth. My children will be right there with me, as they have
been in every other election in their lives, learning that this is
what it means to be an American.

I hope this helps you to understand how even now, some of us can still
be undecided. Thanks for the part you and NPR play in helping us make
these important decisions.

Natalie Gillespie
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I become a citizen of the United States only last month, and will vote for first time this year. I have followed American politics and this presidential race closely.

During the primaries I was a supporter of Mr. Obama, and thought I would support him in the general elections. That is no longer the case.

I definitely ruled out voting for Mr. McCain; his domestic policies, hegemonic-type foreign policy intentions, temperament, and pandering to the intolerant fringes of the conservatives are among the reasons.

However, the racism and bigotry coming out of both campaigns against Arabs and Muslims is the reason I will not be voting for either. Many McCain supporters have used the words "Arab" and "Muslim" as some sort of dirty words to smear Obama, while it is granted he is neither, his response was off-putting. He denied the accusation like it was a dirty word, further playing into the bigoted sentiment that an Arab or a Muslim is unqualified to be a president, untrustworthy, or un-American. His behavior brought to memory the fact that his campaign did not allow two Hijab-wearing women to stand in the background during a speech he gave in Michigan during the primaries, among other incidents in which he distanced him self from anything "Arab" or "Muslim".

Until Mr. Obama comes out forcefully against such bigotry, I am planning to write-in McKinney or Nader on my Pennsylvania ballot.


Fayyad Sbaihat

Pittsburgh, PA

I am undecided in Ohio for the reasons listed below. I’ve provided the reasons not to vote for each candidate in alphabetical order…



Why not McCain?

Iraq always was and still is a debacle and he supported it. $10 billion dollars a month in expenses is a complete waste with absolutely no hope of return on the investment. If Iraq is not the worst decision ever, it is the penultimate (no, it is the worst). The McCain rhetoric on Iran scares me as hawkish and is leading to a complete repeat of Iraq. Not only can our economy not support another war (how many countries are there in the Middle East? Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, etc…), but over four thousand Americans will never return home. Does anything justify this loss of life?



I don’t think Sarah Palin is qualified to be president and McCain is the oldest president to be elected. I’ll leave it at that.



Why not Obama?

How well does the federal government manage Medicare and Social Security? And Obama thinks that nationalizing health care is a good idea? (please read that question with sarcasm) Our federal government’s budget is on track to have every tax dollar collected pay only for two programs: Medicare and Social Security; no national defense, no infrastructure, no interior. Obviously, entitlement programs are necessary to a certain degree, but guaranteeing health care to everyone is not fiscally possible in the long term. Nothing will bankrupt our country as fast as more entitlements.



I run a small business with 10 employees and many subcontractors: I provide jobs in this economy. However, under the Obama tax plan, my business doesn’t qualify as a “small business”. The last thing I need right now is more taxes. I could hire more people if there were a tax break to true small businesses, not just those with less than an incredibly small earnings number.



Overall

Our country is $10,000,000,000,000 in debt…those zeroes took a while to type. It is absolutely necessary that we need a fiscally responsible president to avoid bankruptcy as a country. Fiscal concerns aside, our country cannot survive another hawk.



Thanks for reading. I hope the best for America in these tough times.



Sean Spittle

1. Neither candidate had the courage (or, perhaps more disturbingly, the
knowledge) to stand up against the hastily written and poorly conceived
$750 billion bailout package even as major economists and investors such
as Warren Buffet and George Soros were protesting, loudly, that the
package was severely flawed. Neither candidate even raised the spectre
that this President, who never shirked from using crises as a means of
railroading his idealogically driven policies through the legislature,
was doing this once again. Obama and McCain, who have both discussed the
failed policies of the last 8 years (more so, Obama) did not, even once,
suggest that the most significant and costly of these packages might
represent the culmination of 8 years of failure by being the most
collossal failure of them all. To not even question this showed a lack
of leadership and a willingness to pander to public perception.

2. Neither candidate has proposed the kind of sweeping changes to US
transportation policies which will be needed to reduce our dependency
upon foreign oil until such time as we can mass produce more affordable
efficient automobiles. Such policies would limiting suburban sprawl by
limiting tax incentives for developers, creation of stragetic enterprise
zones, greater funding for public transportation, gasoline and
transportation tax revenue sharing with other transportation modalities
(e.g. light rail, railroads, bikeways).

3. Neither candidate has advocated an increased emphasis on the use of
alternative energy and energy efficiency aimed at the consumer through
reasonable tax credits for the use of these technologies. Most
significant financial incentives have been aimed at producers rather
than consumers which doesn't, necessarily, result in changes in
consumption. Biofuels, for example, are more expensive that dinofuels
which is a significant impediment to their use by consumers.

4. Neither candidate has recognized that principle among the reasons for
the collapse of the financial markets was that, for the first time in
history, the growth of the economy was not through the growth of fixed
assets, such as infrastructure, and that the ultimate solution to the
problem of growing our economy is the kind of investment in
infrastructure that resulted in the explosive growth in American output
in the last century.

5. Neither candidate has acknowledged that the cost of health care is
rising at such a pace that it threatens our long term prosperity and
that simple tweaks to the existing system in the form of incentives and
disincentives will do nothing to decrease costs.

6. Both parties have relied on celebrity to triumph over experience and
demonstrated ability. The Democrats, in chosing Obama as a front runner,
have chosen an educated, intelligent and glib spokesperson, over his far
more qualified choice for Vice President, Joe Biden. The Republicans
have responded with the telegenic and folksy Palin who has lost no time
in demonstrating how thoroughly unprepared she is for the role of Vice
President. This is the fault of the voters, themselves, rather than the
candidates, who are so fed up with things as they are that they would
vote for the promise of change rather than a demonstrated ability to
effect change, but the media has been complicit in this in their
allowing the entertainment value of the campaign to trump the
newsworthiness of the candidates, their platforms and their positions.

7. Both candidates are promising way more than they can deliver. After
all of the criticism of President Bush for not asking American's to
sacrifice, why is it that neither candidate has come forth and said what
everyone knows but does not want to hear, namely, that we are headed for
hard times which means that we are going to have to make sacrifices and
that the government's principle role in this process is to guarantee
that these sacrifices will be equitably distributed across the
population so that no individual or group will be asked to make a
disproportionate sacrifice.

8. In short, neither candidate has demonstrated an ability and
willingness to lead. Leadership is not telling people what they want to
hear. Leadership is telling them the truth and demonstrating that you
have a plan to deal with it.

Sean McLinden, MD

I am undecided voter in Ohio that regularly listens to Marketplace and other shows on my commute to and from work. It was mentioned that you were looking for comments by undecided voters in Ohio. Here are my two cents:

>Two options simply are not enough. I am torn in this election, more than in any other, by the lackluster of Presidential candidates. On the left hand, we have a well-spoken, charismatic man who believes that he can bring real change to America. On the right hand, we have a well-versed, hard-nosed, dedicated man who believes that he can bring real change to America. Neither is a good solution. Neither are above the fray of disrespect, dishonor or incivility. Neither have conducted themselves in the manner of a truly admirable person. The ads they run, they language they use and the sound bites they speak are an insult to every American. We Americans deserve a straight answer to every question posed. We deserve clear plans, well thought-out strategies and decisive insights into how the candidates intend to conduct themselves as President of this fine country. If current action is a proxy for future behavior, this country is in for another long and treacherous four to eight years.

Democrat or Republican, each party has a significant ownership in the current state of American affairs. Iraq was not invaded by only one party; Iraq is not occupied by only one party; and The deficit was not created by only one party. All of the failures in government today were willed by the hands of both the Republicans and Democrats. Each party tags earmarks to bills; Each party listens more to lobbyists than to their own constituents; and Each party has lost sight of the fundamentals of this great country.

In the middle of both of these party’s candidates are other Presidential hopefuls that the media has forgotten about. Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Charles Baldwin and Robert Barr are but a few of the other candidates that are raising poignant questions to difficult issues while finding real solutions. I agree with each of these candidates on several of their stances. However, none of these candidates offer the ideal platform to me. Each candidate has holes in their platform, shortcomings in their experience and small means to voice their messages. Most importantly, each candidate has the ‘wasted vote’ ruse casting a shadow on their legitimacy.

My vote is undecided because neither of the big party candidates take responsibility for their party’s actions, their own shortcomings or speak with honesty and respect in every word that they utter. None of the candidates are people that I would want my child to emulate. None of them are honest, trustworthy, common sensical folk that I would want to call friend. This is a grave disappointment and embarrassment. It is evident to me that the Republican and Democratic parties are either short of qualified candidates or are short of dignity because their elected choices for Presidential candidates are an embarrassment to the people of this country.

John Q. Adams once said "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." I may, yet again, vote for neither of the two big parties, so that I may later spare myself the anguish of asking the question, as so many Americans should now ask themselves: What good have I done by voting for the lesser of two ills?

Chris Moody

I have voted Republican every presidential election since 1992. However, this year I find myself truly undecided. There is a side of me that feels a change in direction is absoultely necessary and that such a change may only occur with a change in the party controlling the White House. On the other hand, I do find Sen. Obama to be a bit liberal for my political taste. I am an anti-abortion Catholic considering voting for a pro-choice presidential candidate and that is typical of the core of my indecision...do I vote my pocket book and optimism for a better future or for those things on the moral front that are as equally important for me.

John

Yes even after the endless campaign, I am still an undecided voter. Even after watching all the debates so far and last night’s Frontline presentation on the candidates. I think if one of the candidates would confront the reality of the country’s financial situation and say (what everybody knows but won’t admit) that all the programs proposed (by either candidate) aren’t possible under today’s reality. Some spending cuts, some prioritization of plans (meaning some programs will not happen immediately and maybe not at all) and most of all, some directness to the American people that cutting back and conserving is a national priority (government spending to energy).



Sam Runyon

(Registered Independent, Pittsburgh, PA)

I have been voting since 1968, and I have not voted for a major-party candidate for many years. I don't trust them -- they tend to defend the interests of multi-national corporations more than they defend the interests of the majority of the American people. RecentIy have voted for Green Party candidates such as Ralph Nader.



I have in the past thought more highly of McCain -- as a principled person -- than I do now. But I have always felt that he is far more conservative than I am, far more privileged and wealthy, and far more aligned with corporate interest than his pro-working people rhetoric suggests. I would not consider voting for him.



But I do not support either candidate in this election either, because I don't trust them. I like much of Obama's rhetoric -- but I believe he will be aligned with the corporations when push comes to shove. I am thinking of voting for Nader, since he is on the ballot in Pennsylvania and more closely reflects my own views and values than either McCain or Obama.



However, I hate the bigotry and racism that is just below the surface in all-too-much of the support for McCain and Palin. I want to vote against that --and this may cause me to pull the Obama lever in order to push against those poisonous sentiments.



But I remain undecided. I'm still thinking about it.



-Paul Le Blanc

I am a 50-year old registered Democrat, an union member, a while male and a communications professional living in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania..

Yes, I am undecided.

I am a deficit hawk and I feel neither candidate has seriously addressed the issue. I believe the only way that the deficit can be managed is by both raising taxes and cutting federal programs. Neither Senator Obama nor Senator McCain will admit that.



On an emotional level, I also have some problems. I wish Senator Obama was 10 years older and had 10 more years of experience, either in the private sector or in government service. I wonder if his inexperience will mirror the problems of Presidents Carter and Clinton. I also worry that Senator Obama will be unable to say "no!" to members of his party when it comes to government spending.



On the other hand, Senator McCain seems to be too hot-headed at times. Other times, he seems clueless. During the recent economic situation in this country, Senator McCain had the "deer in the headlights" look



When it comes to the courts, I worry about the appointments that either man could make. I wonder if Senator Obama's appointments will be too far to the left and Senator McCain's too far to the right.

Sincerely,

Stephen M. Karlinchak

I have long felt that anyone that wanted to become president of the US
probably shouldn't be, but, of course, only people that want it will
actually run. I've also thought that we would do well with someone that
was new to the process and not "tainted" by the system. Obama is closer
to
fitting this description, but at the same time, John McCain does have a
track record of fighting the establishment from within.

I feel that John McCain is better qualified to get us out of Iraq
without
duplicating past mistakes. The US has a bad habit of supporting people
in
other countries and removing that support only to have them become major
enemies (Ho Chi Minh for example). I don't want to see the same thing
happen again out of Iraq or Afghanistan.

I wanted John McCain in 2000, so I was very excited to have him run
again
in the Primaries this year.

I now work in the nuclear industry, so that favors McCain as well. I
emphatically believe that we should start to reprocess our spent nuclear
fuel.

Until recently, Obama hadn't shown me anything to convince me he would
be
better than McCain, but the recent economic troubles have thrown a
wrench
in the works for me. I can see both solutions - Give relief to
businesses
which can keep people employed and even afford to hire more people
(McCain)
or give relief to middle class people who can improve the economy by
buying
products and creating business demand (Obama). I wish the government
had
decided to simply spend $700B on buying up houses (I have one for sale
in
New Jersey I'd have liked them to buy). They could even lease them
right
back to the people living there! But no one asked me...



-John Weglian

I'm a registered Democrat who votes Democratic in local elections but has voted Republican the last few national elections. I've had a great deal of difficulty trusting the nominees the past few elections and have typically found myself voting for whom I've considered the lesser of two evils. While I find myself trusting Obama slightly more so far this election, I know that both sides have misrepresented themselves as well as each other at almost every turn. I try to educate myself on each person's spin and counterspin, but it is difficult to keep track of what is true and what is false. I also find that the proposed solutions to major issues , which are supposed to be the entire basis of our vote, are cloudy and murky on both sides. Each candidate seems to instead focus on felt needs and on demonizing the other. I wish there were more than two options available.

I am a hospice chaplain living outside Pittsburgh, 36, white middle-class with two kids. Major concerns are the economy, spending, fair taxation, health care.

Samuel

I am a 38-year old professional engineer in the construction industry. I swear every other day I change my mind on who to vote for, or for that matter, whether to even mark a selection at the top of ticket. Why? The country and pundits can way what they like, but Michigan has been in a slow economy for years – I’ve been busting my butt to keep my existing clients happy and to develop new contacts. I feel like a hamster on a wheel that has gotten larger and larger, all the while spinning faster and faster. I hate the war, I don’t think we need to deficit spend, I don’t think any more Americans need to lose their lives. However, I also don’t want us to leave with our tails between our legs. With regards to deficit spending, I don’t think we need to expand welfare services, at least not without putting a lot of restrictions on the services able bodied people are receiving now. I disagree with several aspects of the financial crisis buyout, but at the same time, I’ve also watched as my 401K has dropped in value 40 percent of the past few weeks. In the past two weeks, I’ve had 2 projects go on hold, and at least 1 night a week I wake up panicking what if-what if-what if. My husband and I are educated. We’re responsible with our debt – no credit cards, midway through a conventional 15-year mortgage, and 1 year left on the car payment for my van. I’m still freaking out, and I still haven’t hear either client clearly state what their economic recovery plans are in any detail. Maybe it’s the engineer in me, but I’m not buying the glad-handing generalities. Give me details, or at least give me a detailed outline on how you plan to go about resolving this mess. Also, while I like both candidates equally, I dislike or distrust the Veeps equally. As a former Yooper who grew up hunting, at least I like one of the VP candidates, even if I do disagree with about half of her stands – I’d still rather see her in the White House than Joe Biden – I can’t think of a less likeable character than that guy! I know we need to make a drastic change from the way we do things now, but I think you need some experience to be able to bring about change, which Obama doesn’t have. I want to see details – don’t tell me neither of these guys have thought about who they want in their cabinets – let me know. What type of people are you planning on surrounding yourself with?

Laurel

For the first time in my 40 years of voting I am faced with the prospect of entering the election booth on November 4th and voting down ticket, but not for the President of the United States.

My first vote was for Richard Nixon and for every Republican thereafter.

But on a warm August day in 1992, I was crossing Public Square in Cleveland and stopped to watch and listen to Governor Bill Clinton, Senator Al Gore and their wives speak to a throng of people in front of their bus.

I was smitten and have voted Democratic ever since.

This year, the person I think should be president, Hillary Rodham Clinton, is just a footnote in this race. While I once liked John McCain, I now view him as too old and stodgy. I don't want any of the Republican crony days to exist after this year ends.

And, I was one of the first people to tell others about the exciting speech Barack Obama made at the Democratic National Convention way back when.

But, try as I might, I can find no compelling reason to vote for Obama. What does he stand for? How will be any better or any different than what we've had so far.

No, I sit here and think that there will be no reason to pull either lever this this year.

I like many of Obama’s ideas and I think he would be a good president. However, he is talking about increasing taxes on people that make over 250,000 dollars. I guess people in this income bracket are perceived as being rich. My husband and I make over 250,000 now. I’m a veterinary specialist who just finished a graduate program. I have over 100,000 dollars worth of student loan debt. I’m not allowed to deduct student loan interest because of my income. Even though I make a good salary it doesn’t go as far as it would seem because of the student loan debt that I have. My student loan payment is more than what some people would pay for a mortgage. The student loans are what enabled me to get the education to make a good salary. I feel like if you work hard and sacrifice to make a good living you get punished. Others who don’t seem to work as hard and are not doing well get rewarded. This is my main problem with voting for Obama. I’m not sure what I will do on election day.

Having switched parties in order to vote Hillary out, I'm still unsure of the most educated choice. The candidates are great a telling me things stink, but they don't give me any solutions. I'm not convinced Obamha is the guy thou he appears very intelligent but has views on abortion and health care that I don't agree with. But McCain picks a woman whose main claim to fame is as a "Hockey Mom". That is a slap in the face. They don't seem to be clear so far on the issues they hope to implement.

Barbara

Being a very political person, an activist in many ways, I am surprised to say that I am undecided in this election at this point. I am not undecided between the two major party candidates, though. I am a Green Party leader in Ohio, one of the big “battleground states”, and I have been telling friends & groups that I am still not sure if I will be voting for Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party candidate, or Barack Obama.

While I am quite sure that McKinney does not have a chance to win, I am not sure she doesn’t deserve my vote this fall, as she has been a champion in congress for many of the issues I believe in. The way the two major parties and much of the media have ignored 3rd party candidates (and Independent Ralph Nader) has really disappointed me. In the past I cast votes for Ralph Nader twice (1996 and 2000), and I’ve voted mostly democrat, even including John Kerry in 2004. Then I look at how much better Obama is than Kerry was, and how exciting and historic it would be to elect Obama. Many of my green friends think I’m naturally going to vote for McKinney, and most of my friends in other political areas such as the peace movement assume I am voting for Obama. I have just told people that I’ve been supporting the McKinney campaign, and I’ve been on Obama’s list for many months and I may end up voting for him (which has evoked some real surprised looks from some people).

I thought I was going to vote absentee this year, so that I’d be available to work at the polls, as I usually do. I haven’t even requested an absentee ballot, since I’m not sure how I will vote.

So, how will I decide? I’m not yet sure. Obama still wants to make the majority of voters more comfortable by saying that troops should go to Afghanistan instead of Iraq, and his Healthcare plan is not as good as a single-payer plan that gets the Insurance industry out of medical decisions - both are not the positions I support. Then he caters to gun-owners and my fellow Jews by emphasizing his undying support for the 2nd amendment and for Israel, without any qualifiers for rights to automatic weapons or for Palestinian human rights. These are just some examples that make me wonder, waver, question... In Ohio, we still have the option of voting early at the Board of Elections - which I will do if I can make up my mind before election day. When I think about how corrupt the two major parties have become, and how the Commission on Presidential Debates won’t even let other candidates in the debates, I lean towards voting for McKinney. When I think about how the future “Green-ness” of the world will be better off with an Obama versus a McCain administration, I lean towards Obama. I will have three yard signs in my front yard soon: “McKinney: Power to the People”, Support Our Troops; End the War, and Ohio for Obama. Go figure...

David

I normally vote about 75% of the time for the Democrats and 25% for the Republicans, but probably neither this time.

I have voted in every election since I was 18, in 1976, and I pride myself on this fact and take it very seriously.

This time however I will probably either skip the presidential choice or write in someone else.

With the condition the Bush administration (and the Republicans) have put this country in the Democrats should be ahead by 30 points in the poles. If I were the Democrats I would be asking myself why things are so close, they apparently don't care.

As for the Republicans, their candidate is a rubber stamp for the Bush policies, which is unacceptable to me.

I find Obama to have a history of being far too unreasonable on many issues but mostly on illegal immigration and the second amendment. He may say he has changed but I have seen nothing to indicate any such moderation.

MaCain is so stubborn that he won’t even suggest that the Iraq war was entered into with lies and deception from the Bush administration. If he wants to continue to back a lying President, and be buddy-buddy with him, then he will loose my support.

If I had to identify my political stance I would call myself a pro-gun moderate with Democratic leanings. As such I can find no one on the ballot that I can support.

Tony

I still don't know what to do. I identify myself as an independent, but here in Ohio we have to pick a party each time if we want a voice in the primaries.

I think we have 2 candidates that are both superior to anything I've seen since before 2000, but I still have reservations about each. Also, I haven't ruled out writing in a 3rd party candidate as a protest against our party-driven government.

I very much supported John McCain in 2000. I appreciate his stance against corruption and for smaller government, but I wonder how beholden he is now to his party to have gotten as far as he has. I can't know for sure, but I question whether he is still the "maverick" he was 8 years ago. I also hope he remains very healthy, not only to be nice but also because it seems to me that Sarah Palin would be a trainwreck as president. She has none of the gravitas that the spokesperson for our nation needs when representing us to the world, and the VP debate showcased her ability to dodge questions.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, is an excellent speaker, which we sorely need. I like his stated tax policy and his willingness to interact with foreign powers, even if they are our enemies. Also on the plus side is that any Supreme Court justices he might nominate would serve to keep the court balanced, whereas McCain (or certainly Palin) would weigh the court toward decisions that would support more interference with the freedoms of everyday Americans. On the other hand, the way he has handled such personal issues such as his relationships with Rev. Wright and Bill Ayres or his decision to go back on his commitment to accept public financing.

As far as Iraq goes, I don't see too many critical differences in their withdrawal plans. They are just coated with different rhetoric to cater to their respective parties.

I'll be catching the debate to see if one of them screws up...

Thanks,

Joe

McCain is 4 more years of Bush economic and social policies. He will continue our crash into the wall on the right

Obama is a knee jerk reaction to Bush and, in addition to his lack of experience and knowledge of foreign and economic policy, he will crash us into the wall on the left

Our country is badly wounded and needs somebody who will help it heal - not more agendas.

George

I remain undecided for several reasons:

1. Neither candidate has put forth an energy plan that they understand. They both say, “We have to reduce our dependency on foreign oil,” and then in the same breath both talk about nuclear, solar, wind, and tide. Tell me, where are the nuclear cars? The cars that run on wind? America burns oil to fuel transportation, not to create energy (OK, maybe 3% tops). There is no link between electrical energy production and oil, foreign or otherwise. A link may appear if plug-in hybrid technology becomes very popular, but that won’t happen for another 5 to 10 years.

2. The debate about health care should be about whether we need to have socialized medicine, or do away completely with health insurance other than major medical; not on getting everyone insured. All that does is create a never-ending spiral of insurance and medical costs. They don’t seem to want to change the system.

There are lots of other issues, too detailed to mention here.

Best regards,

Brian

I heard that you wanted to hear from undecided voters while I was listening to the radio this afternoon, so here it is.

My name is Jacob, I am 20 years old, I am a full time Oakland University student(4 classes), and I work 50-55 hours a week.

One of my biggest issues is fuel. Both candidates talk about putting a large sum of money into alternative fuels, which is a very good idea. But what if none of the alternate fuel sources turn out to be any better, or less expensive then gas/diesel fuel? John McCain talks about domestic drilling, and Barack Obama talks about short term relief as a way to lower the effects of higher prices, but which idea is better if alternate fuels do not work out?

My second biggest issue is education. Obama's plan for the tax credit states that in order to obtain it, a person must perform 100 hours of community service. What about for people like me though? I work 7 days a week and take 16 credit hours, I have barely anytime to divide up between by family and friends. So, I would not even be eligible for this tax benefit. On the other hand all McCain talks about is simplifying tax benefits and federal aid, and also fixing student loans. So I am at a loss here as well.

Those are my two major issues with the candidates, and I have no idea what could help me make up my mind, except that I know it will not be the people around me who are voting for someone because it's trendy for our age group.

In the 2004 election, I couldn't bring myself to vote for either Kerry or
Bush; but in 2008, I can see myself perhaps voting for either. That is part
of my dilemma.

Currently I have four major OBJECTIONS to Obama and two OBJECTIONS to
McCain.

Obama: 1) lack of experience (He's only a first term senator)

2) strongly pro abortion

3) likely to want to increase government give away programs (I think government should INVEST in people through training programs, and not just provide cash benefits.)

4) I don¹t understand where all his record setting campaign contributions are coming from. In September alone he raised $150 million. Who is giving this money, how did he make all these connections and what do the contributors expect in return?

On the plus side, I do like Obama¹s program for investing in
developing alternative energy sources. I think this makes a lot of sense and
will likely yield tremendous profits, both financially and environmentally,
in the future.

McCain: 1) a strong supporter of the Iraq war, which I think is the worst mistake this country has made during my lifetime.

2) Palin is even less experienced than Obama (only 18 months as governor of Alaska)

Carnegie Melon Student

I used to be an Obama supporter but ever since he gained the nomination he has done everything wrong (in my Opinion) His choice of Biden as a running mate seams to be strictly a political move and goes far away from his early rhetoric of change. He can't decide about offshore drilling which might be good but is totally bad at the same time. Right or wrong (but a lot more wrong) McCain follows his own path and speaks his mind and if you don't like it Oh Well.

Personally I don't feel that either will survive the first term of the office. McCain's age and health will likely kill him when he hits all the stressful situations he will face and This world has too many nut cases and many will be gunning for Obama if elected.

If the worst does happen I am not so impressed with the vice-presidential candidates either. I disliked Biden in the primaries and Palin represents the one thing I have always questioned about Obama, the lack of experience. I was able to support Obama in the early days but now that weighs heavy in my mind.

I fear it will once again come down to selecting which is the lessor of two evils instead of looking forward to a bright new future. God I wish some one would run that I felt good about!!

Chris

I am undecided because the issue of life and death is very important to me. I would become a Democrat if only the party would stop pandering to hollywood and abortionist doctors.

Thomas

While I could never vote for a moron like John McCain, I find it hard to vote for Obama just the same.

When he started out Obama made some good points calling the Imperialist military adventures of the Bush administration a blatant waste of money.

Now however, he sounds just like Nixon did in 1968.

He says he has a "plan" to end the Iraq occupation but sounds like he has had a taste of the military industrial complex opiates.

I don't think he cares that the military is sick and tired of pointless occupations.

He doesn't seem to care one bit about white collar crime either.

Even Nixon at least paid lip service to law and order.

So Barrack Obama is just another poltician who secretly hates America.

Very truly yours,

Tim

If McCain and Obama were my only two options I would choose Obama. However, I know there is more candidates I just haven't heard about them yet. For obvious reason's the media, public radio, I listen to seems to pay very little attention to these other candidates. In the past I have been very pleased to cast my vote for Dennis Kucinich, a candidate who is not 'the lesser of two evils' in my opinion, but actually represented my beliefs very well. I don't expect a third party to win anytime soon, but I would be thrilled to see it happen! Every candidate has traits I like and dislike, but one thing I always dislike is the republican and democratic parties. If Obama was running independent of the Democratic party I think he would win my vote.

I hope to hear about the third party candidates soon. If not, I'll just go online and do my own research.

I am a christian who has voted overwhelmingly Republican going back to my first presidential vote cast in '76. My conservative values: individual opportunity/responsibility/accountability, the sanctity of human life, small government, unregulation of religious practice, crime-free streets, stewardship (not ownership) of the earth's resources, and that government should stay out of people's way and only provide a safety net for only those who legitimately cannot make their way in the world, all these mean a lot to me. However, events beginning with 9/11, through to today's economic crisis, and how the present Republican administration has managed the affairs of state, have left me seriously considering a vote for Obama, which would be my very first ever for a Democrat. I am embarrassed and somewhat ashamed of how President Bush's people have squandered and sometimes trashed the goodwill and unity that occurred in this country after the 9/11 attacks. I was shocked by the politically motivated firings of the US Attorneys in the Justice Dept. I was dismayed that the administration seemed to turn up its nose to the opinions of the world community, both before and after the 9/11 attacks. On paper, McCain seems to be the perfect candidate for me, an independent conservative, committed to reducing corruption and waste in the Federal government, taking the fight to the murderous enemies of Freedom overseas, and standing up for the rights of the unborn. Yet his demeanor as shown in the debates, the terrible negativity of the campaign he has allowed to be fought on his behalf, and the seemingly knee-jerk selection of a sharp but world-naive Sarah Palin as his running mate have caused me to question his temperament and judgement in terms of leading this great country out of the grave economic, political, and security challenges that it faces. Even though McCain has been very independent in his Senate career, if he's elected, after he's sworn in, can he thumb his nose at the very entrenched right-wing Republican apparatus that elected him while attempting to get something done in Washington? I think not. He will end up being beholden to the very lobbyists he has railed against the last 20 years. On the other hand, how can I cast a vote for Obama? This is a man that, for all his erudition, charm, sincerity and intellect, still is arguably one of the most liberal Senators ever, one who believes that Government should be more involved in people's lives, and one who may further damage the rights of the unborn, as if they weren't tenuous enough. If I end up becoming a true Obamacon, it will be because sometime within the next two weeks, I will have become convinced that Obama has the capacity to bring a greater measure of unity to this country than the election of his opponent, and that this potential for unity in the electorate more than balances out the moral hazards that would be expected by electing a Democratic president. It will be because, with an eye toward getting this country on a road out of our present economic and international struggles, I dare to hope that moving toward a greater measure unity in our country will do more to heal it than insisting on the implementation of the conservative values I have always espoused. Does this sound like I am selling out and abandoning those values? Maybe to many it will. But I see it more as a realization that these values that I hold so dear cannot (despite the Pat Robertsons of the world) be forced upon the electorate through political activity and elections. People have to win other people over to these values by the way they live their lives. And in this divisively poisoned political climate, that is very hard to do . If we can get people in this country talking to one another again in a respectful and genial manner, instead of shouting at eachother in knee-jerk reaction to our fears about the other's percieved beliefs, I think that the free and fair exchange of ideas will ultimately favor conservative and libertarian values.

Decided but not confident. Although my democratic registration status has not wavered I cannot say that I am overly confident in the Obama Biden campaign. There are a lot of unknowns at this stage and unfortunately you see the transition from honest, intelligent candidate to "I have to play the political thing" role which is disconcerting at best. However absolutely NOT to the McCain Palin ticket. I may consider relocation to another country first!

I have been a supporter of Barack Obama since his 2004 Democratic Convention speech. How can anyone watch him side by side with John McCain at the 3 debates and believe that we would be better off under the guidance of McCain? Is this just one more instance of America's fear of intellectuals??

I find it amazing that people place me in the category of "undecided" because I do not plan to vote for either Obama or McCain. I find it even more amazing that so many people are uninformed as to the other candidates, just because our media and government have skewed what we are able to view on television (ie. the debates), what we hear about on the news, what we read about, etc, so that most people believe they are limited to choosing either Obama or McCain. There are serveral other great candidates running, and no one seems to be paying attention, or to even know.

I live in Champaign , Illinois . I'm 46 years old, a husband, a father, a small business owner, a veteran, and a homeowner. I don't consider myself to be either conservative or liberal, and I vote for the person, not Republican or Democrat. I don't believe there are "two Americas " but that every person in this country can be whomever and whatever they want to be if they'll just work to get there and nowhere else on earth can they find such opportunities. I believe our government should help those who are legitimately downtrodden, and should always put the interests of America first.

The purpose of this message is that I'm concerned about the future of this great nation. I'm worried that the silent majority of honest, hard-working, tax-paying people in this country have been passive for too long. Most folks I know choose not to involve themselves in politics. They go about their daily lives, paying their bills, raising their kids, and doing what they can to maintain the good life. They vote and consider doing so to be a sacred trust. They shake their heads at the political pundits and so-called "news", thinking that what they hear is always spun by whomever is reporting it. They can't understand how elected officials can regularly violate the public trust with pork barrel spending. They don't want government handouts. They want the government to protect them, not raise their taxes for more government programs.

We are in the unique position in = this country of electing our leaders. It's a privilege to do so. I've never found a candidate in any election with whom I agreed on everything. I'll wager that most of us don't even agree with our families or spouses 100% of the time. So when I step into that voting booth, I always try to look at the big picture and cast my vote for the man or woman who is best qualified for the job. I've hired a lot of people in my lifetime, and essentially that's what an election is - a hiring process. Who has the credentials? Whom do I want working for me? Whom can I trust to do the job right?

I'm concerned that a growing number of voters in this country simply don't get it. They are caught up in a fervor they can't explain, and calling it "change".

"Change what?", I ask.

"Well, we're going to change America ", they say.

"In what way?", I query.

"We want someone new and fresh in the White House", they exclaim.

"So, someone who's not a politician?", I say.

"Uh, well, no, we just want a lot of stuff changed, so we're voting for Obama", they state.

"So the current system, the system of freedom and democracy that has enabled a man to grow up in this great country, get a fine education, raise incredible amounts of money and dominate the news, and win his party's nomination for the White House that system's all wrong?"

"No, no, that part of the system's okay we just need a lot of change."

And so it goes. "Change we can believe in."

Quite frankly, I don't believe that vague proclamations of change hold any promise for me. In recent months, I've been asking virtually everyone I encounter how they're voting. I live in Illinois , so most folks tell me they're voting for Barack Obama. But no one can really tell me why only that he's going to change a lot of stuff "Change, change, change." I have yet to find one single person who can tell me distinctly and convincingly why this man is qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful nation on earth other than the fact that he claims he's going to implement a lot of change.

We've all seen the emails about Obama's genealogy, his upbringing, his Muslim background, and his church affiliations. Let's ignore this for a moment. Put it all aside. Then ask yourself, "What qualifies this man to be my president? That he's a brilliant orator and talks about change?"

CHANGE WHAT?

Friends, I'll be forthright with you I believe the American voters who are supporting Barack Obama don't have a clue what they're doing, as evidenced by the fact that not one of them - NOT ONE of them I've spoken to can spell out his qualifications. Not even the most liberal media can explain why he should be elected. Political experience? Negligible. Foreign relations? Non-existent. Achievements? Name one. Someone who wants to unite the country? If you haven't read his wife's thesis from Princeton , look it up on the web. This is who's lining up to be our next First Lady? The only thing I can glean from Obama's constant harping about change is that we're in for a lot of new taxes.

For me, the choice is clear. I've looked carefully at the two leading applicants for the job, and I've made my choice.

Here's a question - "Where were you five and a half years ago? Around Christmas, 2002. You've had five or six birthdays in that time. My son has grown from a sixth grade child to a high school graduate. Five and a half years is a good chunk of time. About 2,000 days. 2,000 nights of sleep. 6,000 meals, give or take."

John McCain spent that amount of time, from 1967 to 1973, in a North Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp.

When offered early release, he refused it. He considered this offer to be a public relations stunt by his captors, and insisted that those held longer than he should be released first. Did you get that part? He was offered his freedom, and he turned it down. A regimen of beatings and torture began.

Do you possess such strength of character? Locked in a filthy cell in a foreign country, would you turn down your own freedom in favor of your fellow man? I submit that's a quality of character that is rarely found, and for me, this singular act defines John McCain.

Unlike several presidential candidates in recent years whose military service is questionable or non-existent, you will not find anyone to denigrate the integrity and moral courage of this man. A graduate of Annapolis, during his Naval service he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross. His own son is now serving in the Marine Corps in Iraq . Barack Obama is fond of saying "We honor John McCain's service...BUT...", which to me is condescending and offensive - because what I hear is, "Let's forget this man's sacrifice for his country, and his proven leadership abilities, and talk some more about change."

I don't agree with John McCain on everything - but I am utterly convinced that he is qualified to be our next President, and I trust him to do what's right. I know in my heart that he has the best interests of our country in mind. He doesn't simply want to be President - he wants to lead America , and there's a huge difference. Factually, there is simply no comparison between the two candidates. A man of questionable background and motives who prattles on about change, can't hold a candle to a man who has devoted his life in public service to this nation, retiring from the Navy in1981 and elected to the Senate in1982.

Perhaps Obama's supporters are taking a stance between old and new. Maybe they don't care about McCain's service or his strength of character, or his unblemished qualifications to be President. Maybe "likeability" is a higher priority for them than "trust". Being a prisoner of war is not what qualifies John McCain to be President of the United States of America - but his demonstrated leadership certainly DOES.

Dear friends, it is time for us to stand. It is time for thinking Americans to say, "Enough." It is time for people of all parties to stop following the party line. It is time for anyone who wants to keep America first, who wants the right man leading their nation, to start a dialogue with all their friends and neighbors and ask who they're voting for, and why.

There's a lot of evil in this world. That should be readily apparent to all of us by now. And when faced with that evil as we are now, I want a man who knows the cost of war on his troops and on his citizens. I want a man who puts my family's interests before any foreign country.

I want a President who's qualified to lead.

I want my country back, and I'm voting for John McCain.

I'm a phone bank and canvass coordinator (volunteer) for Obama here in St. Paul, and I talk to dozens of undecided voters every week. What strikes me is their thoughtful approach; almost to a person they are anxious to look at the issues, the facts, and make the decision that's right for America. They want hope, healing, and bipartisan solutions. Despite the fact that I'm much more left-wing than they are (and than Obama is for that matter), I respect that they are taking this decision seriously, and that they realize the decision for America rests in their hands. I'm confident that when they have examined all the evidence, they'll make a choice that leads us into a bright new future of renewable energy, sensible right-size government, and an abandonment of the negative, divisive political approach we've had to endure the last 30 years.

People who are undecided at this point are exhibiting an inability to distinguish between two imperfect candidates. It's narcissistic to think that any candidate can mirror our positions exactly. I suppose a few people might be both anti-choice and pro-universal-health-care, but I suspect most undecideds are looking for the "perfect" candidate, and disappointed not to find it. Obama may not be perfect, but he's better enough than McCain to earn my vote.

Really hoping for some form of universal health care in the next few years. I wish Arlington would get some mass transit so I wouldn't have to drive to work everyday.

I am voting for Obama. He is a creative thinker. We have relied on tried methods for too long. They have gotten no where but in debt, in war and loosing health care with no education. I envision a country that my daughter can grow up with a good education, health care and the opportunity to do better than me.
I feel that Obama offers this idealism. There are too many people operating out of fear. To quote the great Eleanore Roosevelt "there is nothing to fear but fear itself"
Plus, Palin is atrocious to me. I do not want my daughter to look up to her, I do not want my daughter to think that Palin is a good example of a strong woman. Both McCain and Palin and fear mongers and they are feeding off of us, I say we should give them no more food!!!

I wish that the candidates would be less extreme. I'm not crazy about our military actions, but highly regulated and redistrubitve economic policies make me nervous. I want the overall size and cost of government to decrease. One the one hand I have a candidate that wants to vastly increase our military actions, and the other wants to dramatically increase the size and cost of social programs.

But the biggest folly of both is their proposals for health care plans. How about instead of jumping into a huge fiscal committment like national heath care, let's try out a bunch of different ideas in different states and pick the one that worked the best.

I was in the tank, so to speak, for Obama months ago. While I respect being undecided, I am puzzled by those who well-informed ability/desire to stay so given the disparity between what Obama and McCain stand for - even if you are underwhelmed by the choices. On the other hand, I have spoken to many undecideds and know for certain that many are fundamentally uninformed, or worse, misinformed. This goes to the point of the dirty campaigning... I have no problem with attacks on position and will tolerate a certain amount mischaracterizing the opponent's position. What is not acceptable in my book is deliberately trying to misinform the public about who a person is.

My other beef with much of the discussion of being undecided is the "pocketbook vs. morality" choice. The 1960s culture war paint a false state of affairs, with the issues being black and white. Our political discussion does not serve us well by ignoring nuance. If you want to talk life, you eventually have to talk economy, because people "choose" life in all sorts of ways when they can afford to, and "choose" death in all sorts of ways when they feel they have to.

I've really put a lot of thought and time into who I will vote for this year. I voted for Bush in 2004 and feel as though I was played. I'm immensely disappointed in the actions of this administration. Now that McCain is aligning himself as closely as possible to Bush and his policies, I don't see McCain the "maverick" at all. I see a nominee pressured into submission by a party desperate for the upper class and Evangelical vote, and willing to neglect other party members if it means securing those votes. I can't vote for someone when I don't know what he will do once in office. Will he return to his moderate ways or will he continue to defend the failed policies of the Bush administration? If we find out, it won't be because of me.

I am disappointed in the lack of fiscal conservatism from both candidates, although John McCain is slightly worse than Barack Obama. I'm also disappointed by the "politics-as-usual" exhibited by both candidates, although they both espouse a different philosophy. But I'm still voting for Obama this election because his foreign policy is more realistic and more nuanced than John McCain's. Not that my blue vote will matter in this red state.

I know this may seem very selfish, but I'm a gay male with who has recently become HIV positive. I feel like under McCain's health care options, I'll never be able to find any health insurance that will pay for my medicine. To me, that's him saying that he can't afford to let me live. I feel safer under Obama's health care plan, and that's mainly why he has my vote.

I am a democrat, and have been for as long as I can remember, and as such I will be voting for Obama. But until the start of this election cycle I used to say that if I had to vote for a republican it would be McCain, however, he has driven me away from ever supporting, or voting for him. This election race has proven one thing to me, and that’s McCain is far too erratic to lead. He jumps to conclusions, and makes rash decisions (like randomly suspending his campaign, to go focus on the economic crisis. What would he do in office, suspended being president so he can deal with the next crisis? Not the man I want holding a finger over “the button”).
Obama’s approach to a problem seems much more logical and focused to me. And the fact that he is will to consider talking to countries like Iran, and break from the standard issue mold of a Washington politician with actions considered taboo by most.
This is no longer the house Regan built, and we need to move beyond the stigmas of our past, and I like to believe Obama is the one who can do that.

I just can't wait until these final 2 weeks are over! I have been ready for a new presidency for what seems like an eternity. Barack Obama has the energy, enthusiasm and creative ideas to flip this country 180 degrees around: a desperately needed change of direction.

Go Obama!

This is the first year that I'm eligible to vote, and I intend to cast my ballot for Barack Obama. I believe he will be more fiscally responsible than a president McCain would be (I say this because it's politically easier for presidents to offer tax cuts than to cut expenditures), I believe he would better repair our national standing. I also believe that he has the willpower to make the necessary investments to bring us towards energy independence. And underneath it all, Obama inspires me to go out and be a better person. Growing up in my generation, I've heard the typical "Work hard, and you'll be successful" spiel. However we haven't had the same call to arms for the country that past generations of Americans have had. Obama's challenge to my generation and to the nation as a whole to give something back to the country is what originally got me excited about him as a candidate.

Obama isn't liberal enough for me. After lots of thought, I'm voting for Nader in hopes that it will help raise the issues for which he is an advocate, and which both Obama and McCain seem to ignore.

I am undecided because not only am I lazy I also like the attention others give me. I would also not like to commit to anything for fear I might be wrong. So, instead of rationally working through the issues and standing up for what I believe, I would rather make a snap decision or just not vote at all. Hopefully Dante is wrong and I won’t spend eternity chased by wasps and hornets.

Let's see, one candidate is Black the other is White, one is young the other is old. One candidate is against the war in Iraq the other is for it. One candidate has a plan for getting us out of the financial mess, the other socializes the industry while it is losing money and then turns it back to the private sector when it starts making money. I am so confused.

Am I a racist, warmongering idiot, or not. I just can't make up my mind.

I fugure Sarah will be the prez becuse I can't see Mccane making it through to the finish line. Sarah will get off Air Force one in China and before she's down the steps will put them china men in there places. Hello Zee Tong, you Godless Commies gonna toe the line or else. But shes gonna say it with a big smile an diarm all the china men so much they are ready to give her anything she tells em too.

Same with Ivan. She's cute and sassy enough that forenors will be bolled over and wont even have there wits when she tells em how its gotta be.

So i'm prety sure that's who I gotta vote for. Obama .. whats he goninto do? He will try to act dimpumattic and everythin will get drawed out and there wont be proggress.

Sarah .... you go gilr .....

I believe in the reasons why the electoral college was established. The utilitarian in me knows that a person may be smart, but people are stupid. There does need to be some sort of provisions set to prevent an extremist from coming to office. Hence, our electorate.

However, I am disappointed with the state of our system. I am a young women, a college graduate, a middle school social studies teacher, qualified to make rational informed decision, yet I feel disenfranchised.

In Oklahoma, we are only allowed a two party system. Third parties are not allowed on the ballot. I am not registered to either party. I knowingly and willing took myself out of our process, because I cannot adhere to any specific political doctrine. I do lean toward Libertarian actually.

But why am I still undecided? I love Obama's message of change and hope. We as a nation are in dire need of both. However, I disagree with his platform on such a fundamental level that I can't bring myself to vote for him. Democrats sound more like Socialists than Democrats; while Republicans sound like Democrats. McCain on the other hand does not inspire confidence in anything. In his monologues into the camera in each of the debates, he does not come across as sincere. He appears too rehearsed, to scripted, and unnatural.

I guess I'm waiting on the October Surprise.

So many people from Massachusetts will vote for anyone that the Democratic party puts on the ticket that it really doesn't matter how an independent thinker votes in this state - the electors already counted for Obama.

I've decided to vote for Obama only because I really am terrified of Sarah Palin. I was leaning towards McCain, but this was way too much of a swing to the right for me.

I have always voted Third party becuase I think that it should be easier for candidates outside of these two parties to be out in front of the people raising issues that they are not... but I am torn this time. Ralph Nader, my chioce for the last two presidential elections, seems slower this time around and is possibly too old for the job, plus I find myself really excited about Obama. I don't know if I am just getting caught up in the hype or if I do really believe that this person is the best for the job. I actually drove to the polling booth today and was happy to see a long line. It gave me an excuse to go home and think and read about the third party options some more. (It was deeply disappointing to me that only the two party candidates were allowed to participate in the final "debates". We are shutting out other voices and that is not good for our country.) 

John McCain had a large field of competent, experienced candidates to select for his vice president, and he selected the only one who is less qualified than George W. Bush to be president. Not too many years ago, I believed that Democrats didn't represent me or my values. Now, the Republicans don't respresent me. I supported John McCain whole-heartedly in 1996. I can't vote for him now.

I couldn't agree more with your final caller. It's beyond me how people can still not have made up their minds. Personally I think it's that those people are uncomfortable voting for a black candidate, but are unwilling to admit to themselves how much race matters to them.

I have been a democrat all my life and this is the first election that I do not know who I am voting for. In the primaries I thought I would be happy with any of the candidates though my gal there was Hillary. But after listening to Obama in the primary, watching the kind of trash he used against a fellow democrat and finally seeing him backtrack on every democratic value I hold dear -an office of faith based initiatives?, voted yes on FISA, doesn't support public financing of campaigns, I can only conclude the man is no democrat. Now that Chris Buckley, Chris Hitchens and a number of prominent republicans endorse him I can only conclude I am right. The democratic party and progressives are dead. More importantly Obama has NEVER done anything in his life that did not involve winning an elected office for himself. Obama is just another GWB with a D after his name.

Just the stress of this important election is causing me to pause and reflect more completely on my decision.

I guess that's just the way this Aquarian copes.

Money, being the economy and the environment along with it, are my top concerns in this election. That would be why I am voting for Obama, because he sees beyond oil and doesn't have allegiance to multi-national corporations that take advantage over the regular folks, and the University kids (like myself) who have very little to begin with.
Vote Obama!

I typically lean Republican (don't tell my neighbors). But there's no point in voting for McCain in California. There's no point in voting for Obama either. He's going to win undoubtedly. I respect Colin Powell's opinions, and I think he's right about Obama but I can't make myself vote for someone so liberal with ideas about redistributing wealth. I think he will be a good president though. He will definitely make the rest of the world say, "America elected who? Really? Wow..." It will definitely keep the rest of the world on their toes and he's definitely not more of the same.

I'm not so much undecided as conflicted. I would prefer to vote for the Green Party candidates, Nader/Gonzales, or the Socialist Party candidates rather than McCaine OR Obama. However, I also recognize that the 3rd party movement in this country is so weak that none of them have a chance. So I'm stuck voting with the major party candidates. I prefer Obama to McCaine. What this election has demonstrated to me is the real need for Instant Run-off Voting as a necessary electoral reform -- so I could vote for who I want to vote for rather than "throwing my vote away" on a candidate that doesn't have a chance. I would even like to vote for myself. I announced my candidacy in May but popular support for my campaign failed to materialize. Learn more: www.votesilver.org

I am actively engaged in politics and consider myself a left-of-center Independent voter. Four years ago, I said to myself, "boy, if Obama ends up running against John McCain, then I don't know who I'll vote for!" I valued McCain's centrism and Obama's passion for hope and staggering intelligence. John McCain completely lost my vote because of his involvement with the RNC. They changed his "brand" and he allowed it to change him. While he was once a "maverick" of sorts in my eyes, he is now only a shadow of his former self. Obama on the other hand has run what I consider to be a clean campaign with respect and dignity. I know in my heart that Democrats and Republicans are all part of the same machine, so I want my leader to care more about showing he can lead rather than just get elected.

I just wish that Biden was running as P, and Obama as VP. :

Voting for Obama. Hoping to help swing this state blue-ward. Voting for social equality, and for the future.

As our economy slides into the trash, the next president is going to have to make some really tough decisions that are going to annoy a lot of people (if they're presented in the wrong way).

We currently spend more money on health care than most countries with socialized medicine so we really should just have socialized medicine and be done with it. It seems to be universally agreed that we need it, but no one is willing to stand up and annoy a lot of people to make a system that doesn't have too many compromises in it.

Also, we're suffering due to our silly measurement system. Unlike other countries, we have two ways of measuring things. Some things are metric (e.g. soda bottles) others are our customary system (e.g. gas). Fixing this insanity would significantly help our economy. It would also help all sorts of other issues as we wouldn't be wasting huge amounts of time on things like teaching a difficult to understand and unrelated set of measurements to our children (quick, which weighs more an ounce of gold or an ounce of lead? No, they're not the same) or having businesses have to develop separate product lines; one for the US, one for the rest of the world.

Given the debacle of the last attempt to fix our measurement system, will Obama be strong enough to actually finish the job this time?

Totally decided. Could not be more decided. Just can't stand the suspense. I wish it were all over with, however it's going to go!

I will be voting, but not for either Sen. McCain or Obama. We do need change in this country, these men do not represent that change. I will be voting for an independent, who I'm not sure. The only thing I am sure of, Ron Paul is the man this country needs, maybe in 4 years he'll get his chance.

I have decided to vote for an independent candidate, but I fear none will appear on the Texas ballot. The more I hear the two candidates speak the less I can discern between their platforms. From economic policies to health care to foreign policies the candidates' respective pledges will make little difference in our lives. My wife and I are employed, insured, and have manageable loans. Most likely people like us will carry the burden of the recent government bailouts backed by both candidates.

As for character, neither of the major party candidates measures up to the model of a strong, decisive, visionary leader we so urgently need. We do not need a leader who decides by consensus like Obama, or a man who will not do what he knows in his heart is right such as McCain.

I believe this year I will throw away my vote to put a check mark next to an independent, should one appear on the ballot. Then I will start to work on supporting an independent in 2012.

You see, I am an average undecided American voter. While I find both parties to be corrupt in some ways, that is basically just my excuse for not paying more attention to politics. I have time for College Football, NFL, and the World Series, but I am too busy when it comes to reading the newspaper. Who has time to study the issues when it's so much easier to repeat sound bites. Can you say "Drill, baby, drill?"

When I feel really guilty about not living up to my civic responsibilities, I watch Hannity and Colmes on Fox, which, by definition, is fair and balanced. From this extensive involvement in current events, I find that Obama is basically a secret muslim who belongs to an America-hating church and probably will hand over the American government to the Saudis should he win the election. Maybe I should start brushing up on my Saudi. Or whatever the heck they speak over there. I can never for the life of me figure out why they don't learn English over there. Heck, I had to when I was in school.

Another major issue for me is the sanctity of life. You see, I am strongly pro-life and believe that life begins at conception and therefore I cannot get myself to vote for Obama. Also, I am strongly pro-freedom, and want all those terrorists in Iraq dead. Dead, dead, dead. I don't care whether or not they had anything to do with 9/11; I just want all of them dead. And, going back to sanctity of life for a minute, how can these so-called pro-choice people support taking a human life?

Now, I don't want you to get the impression that I am simply anti-Obama. I am against McCain too. In fact, my union bosses tell me that that John McCain is going to destroy the labor movement and that really bothers me. If he is elected, they say the old man is going to destroy the country, but at least he is white.

Anyway, that's my dilemma. Even after extensive research, I still can't decide if I should vote for Obama or McCain.

God bless all the pro-America parts of America.

Rev. Ritchie Blackmore
Cincinnati, Ohio

Still not sure what i am going to do. I am leaning one way but everytime I go to fill out my ballot, I freeze, unable to make that final line and be responsible for the outcome of this election.

If undecided means that I am not supporting the Democratic or Republican parties then I would like to suggest that I am unrepresented not undecided. I considered myself a conservative, will someone please direct me to a conservative party.

Republicans are supposed to be conservative. They’re not. Democrats are supposed to be liberal. They’re not. My issue is the inability of the parties to stick to their socioeconomic philosophies. As far as I am concerned they are one party. And this party is competing against itself. No wonder this nation is so divided. Making a decision can be difficult when presented with one choice that is duplicated.

I live in a State whose population thinks Republicans represent their values better. I will say this much, neither party has a monopoly on values.

To point fingers at our current president for the war and the fiscal crisis is ludicrous. Every decision he has made has been with the support of our congress Democrat and Republican. My understanding is that Democrats even initiated the deregulation of mortgage loans. Didn’t Clinton say, after all, “everyone deserves to own their own home?” If we feel the need to blame then we should blame all of our elected officials Democrats and Republicans.
Bottom line, both parties try to please everyone and please no one.

I have decided to join the revolution. Voting is not about choosing the winning candidate but choosing the candidate that best reflects your opinions.

After listening to an interview with Ralph Nader on PRI-Radio West and watching “An Unreasonable Man,” I am quite impressed. Out of the current choices for the presidency I dare say he has made the most impact to this nation. For those who think he destroyed the Democratic hope of an elected candidate eight years ago, don’t worry, he’s “stealing” at least one “conservative” vote this time around.

Going for Obama without a doubt

John McCain needs to make his health records public. This guy is too old and his health is too unstable to lead a country.

Obama may not be the perfect candidate but he's has a better vision of what needs to happen.

A vote for McCain means 4 more years of broken Bush policy, regardless how many times he says he not like Bush. Watch there speeches side by side. They have said the same things over and over for years and years. Lies, lies, lies...

We need Obama.

Neither candidates will protect my civil liberties, neither candidate will fix

This is the first election that I can recall being still undecided this close to election day. I am registered Independent because I prefer to vote for the person rather than the party.

As a boomer who grew up on the "left coast" my social views lean toward Obama's (Separation of church and state with regard to moral rights of individuals to follow their own religious beliefs rather than those of the current office holder.).

As someone who has put in the time, money and hard work to get ahead in the world, I agree with McCain that Obama's Robin Hood liberal fiscal ideas will only lead to spiraling unemployment as those able to create jobs and grow the economy will be discouraged to even bother if more than half of what they earn will be confiscated. I'm not defending the greedy Wall Streeters and bankers but given the opportunity for a free ride there are few that wouldn't take it. Witness the State of Hawaii having to cancel their free health coverage for uninsured children as too many parents canceled their children's health insurance in order to get it for free.

I am a registered republican that only votes ala carte, and I do not pull levers of candidates that I know nothing about.

I admire both candidates, but I have reservations about both. Obama's rhetoric is indeed inspiring, and Biden's labor talk works (no pun intended) for me. Obama's run for the Oval office during his first term stinks of stepping-stone politics. That's a hard gripe for me to dismiss.

I have been an admirer of McCain for years. We share an alma mater (he was the keynote speaker at my graduation). His ability to see things differently than the party has always stood out positively to me. BUT his presidential platform is weak. He doesn't address the needs of everyday living with any degree of confidence or a great deal of competence.

I taking every day I can to consider my vote, but If today were the day to vote I'd pull Obama's lever. I reassess my choice every day, just as I will even after the election.

Germany is intensely Obama country. Our organization registered voters since June. We used various methods of finding Americans (civilians only, we were not allowed on the military bases) and got them registered to vote. Regardless of the party, McCain has little support over here. Among the locals, every one who talked with us supported Obama. Now we are working on getting the votes from Americans Abroad counted -- not so easy with the various state requirements and such, but we are doing our part.

Let's live peacefully.

I'm an American citizen and scientist living and working in England at the moment. The ignorance and general anti-science sentiment practiced by the Republican party at large and the current president and candidate specifically cause me to vote for Obama or really any Democrat. I'm quite happy with Obama and the thought of a McCain/Palin administration makes me shudder. If that happens, I won't be moving back to the United States anytime soon -- it's already difficult to get funding for scientific research in the USA as it is.

I'm considering voting for the library bond and nothing else!

I used to like McCain, mostly because he seemed so sensible and middle of the road, but I've become frustrated with him, and his choice of Sarah Palin really made me hesitate about voting for him. I believe strongly in equal rights for LGBT people, and I don't think either McCain or Palin will support that.

I like Obama, and I think it would be great for our country to have a black man for a president, but I'm worried about his tendencies towards big government. My husband works for the National Lab in Los Alamos, and I've seen firsthand the waste and inefficiencies that big government brings.

I just can't bring myself to vote for either one...

I used to vote democrat all the time but lately I have been very disappointed about their voting records on important issues such as family, parental rights and economy. I did research on all the candinates and there are good candinates out there besides Obama and McCain. Personally, I was really impressed with Palin record, but too bad she is not running as president and I do not trust McCain. I think lawyers and congressmen are not good candinates for presidents, I think to fix the economy we need people like public administrators or governors who already has a process of running and being leaders. So I do not know who I am going to vote, I might vote for an independent party but I would decided on that day...

I've already voted at the County Register-Recorders Office (8am to 8pm) 3rd floor.

After all this Joe the Plumber b.s., I can't wait for Nov 5th when we will turn on our televisions and hear .."Hello America, I'm Barack the President!"

Do the right thing and vote Obama/Biden

Obama stated four years ago that he would not apply for a job that he is not qualified for. 4 years later, he applied for the job of president of the U.S. That says a lot about how much he believes now in his qualifications. I've watched him in debates and interviews, examined his records, read favorable and unfavorable writings about the man, and believe firmly that he is ready to be president. McCain, on the other hand, while he has more experience than Obama, has selected Palin, who in my mind is not ready to be president, to the office that is a heartbeat away from the presidency. I happen to like Obama's proposals on energy, taxes, and healthcare. I feel he could unite the country on the race issue. What concerns me is his record on the pro-choice issue, especially his stance on partial birth abortion and the born-alive act. We in this country give more compassion to animals than to the unborn, and that bothers my conscience. While a brilliant constitutional lawyer, his broad interpretation of the Constitution concerns me.

What an exciting time in our history. I love how many people are involved in this election and the passion I see. For all those decided and undecided, I hope that they will accept the winner and move forward.