Here are some thoughts from local residents about the presidential election:
Here are some thoughts from local residents about the presidential election:
"I think [Howard] Dean has a good chance to defeat [President] Bush. The economy and how the Iraq conflict will pan out over the next six months or so will determine who will win."
Connie Prejs, Youngstown, Democrat
"I think President Bush has a very good chance of winning this election. President Bush has done a good job as far as I am concerned. It's not as easy as people think it is to run a country. Many of the Democrats think it is, but what would they have done differently?"
Donna McConnell, East Palestine, Republican
"I do not think that any of the Democratic candidates can beat George Bush in an election today. The anti-Bush rhetoric does not present a positive attitude for solving our long list of issues."
James Battafarano, Liberty, Democrat
"I am very pleased with the president, and I believe that he's doing everything he can to improve our country. There are some things that I would change or try to do, but I can't even begin to comprehend all that is on his plate. Can anyone out there really do it all and please everyone in the process?"
Lisa Tisone, McDonald, independent
"It is my opinion that John Kerry has the best chance of any Democrat to become the next president. He comes across as the most 'genuine' of the contenders. I feel that Kerry has a very good chance to defeat Bush. If the economy/employment situations don't improve between now and election time, I feel that two or three of the Democratic hopefuls could win the election."
Donald Ronyak, Youngstown, Democrat
"No Democrats can defeat President Bush in November. The Democrats are good at criticizing, but offer no solutions. Only the same old tripe and stale politics that didn't work in the past, don't work now, and won't work in the future."
Tom Raseta, Liberty, Republican
"I think the Democratic candidates will have a hard time defeating President Bush unless they come up with a campaign plan and can keep the focus on the issues. I do believe Dean has a chance to beat him, but again, the focus needs to be on issues important to the American people."
Darlene Torday, Berlin Center, Democrat
"If anyone stands a chance, it is [Wesley] Clark. President Bush, in the grand scheme of things, has done a good job. Even with his critics on the invasion of Iraq, the economy appears to be improving, and the forecast for 2004 appears to be somewhat positive."
Bill Addington, Poland, independent"Bush's performance has been one of leadership, more than anything else. He is perceived by many as sincere and proactive, and that bodes well for him."
Joe Becker, Youngstown, Republican
"I think John Edwards will capture the Democratic presidential nomination. He is a positive voice of reason and the most electable candidate."
Harry E. Ross, Boardman, Democrat
"If November still shows only a meager or faltering jobs recovery, Iraq is still a tossup between a stable democracy and a breakup that includes a Shiite cleric-run state, then Bush will look expendable if the option is John Kerry."
Jim Zupanic, Youngstown, Democrat
"Anyone would be better than Bush. Bush is the second-worst president in my lifetime, [Ronald] Reagan being the first."
Anna Maldonado, West Middlesex, Pa., independent
"I rate Bush as ineffective. He hasn't even 'used' the 9/11 event properly to inspire America. Instead, he's allowed it to represent a 'feel sorry it was on my watch' feeling."
Dale W. Clarke, Newton Falls, Republican