MOUNT VERNON — Although both agreed Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton did well in Tuesday night’s presidential debate, Carla Hosack and Kristina Sullivan still don’t know who they’ll vote for in Tuesday’s primary election.
“The debate kind of swayed me, but I’m still not sure,” said Hosack, a Fredericktown resident. “But I’m thinking more of Hillary. I think she’s more confident and more experienced than Obama.”
“I’m still torn,” Sullivan, a Mount Vernon resident, said. “I can see much better why Sen. Obama is attracting so many voters. He seems to have very reasonable positions on things I care about.”
The debate was held on the campus of Cleveland State University, and moderated by NBC’s Brian Williams and Tim Russert. About 1,600 were in attendance.
Tuesday afternoon, Hosack said jobs and health care were two areas about which she was concerned.
“Health care should be cheaper, especially for those who can’t afford it,” she said. “So I’m looking at people who can offer more of that.”
Hosack said she liked what Clinton said during the debate about her health care plan.
“But they can say what they want, but you don’t know how far they are going to go through with it,” she said.
“I like that Hillary wants to help people,” she added. “I think she’s there for the people.”
Although Hosack said she didn’t feel real comfortable with Obama after last night’s debate, she’s still undecided which candidate will win her vote.
“I won’t know until I actually go to vote,” she said.
Sullivan said she is still struggling with her decision.
“I think Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have important qualities that we need in the president, but I will be watching the debate and struggling to decide what experience Hillary brings to the office,” she said Tuesday afternoon. “I think she is a very fine lawyer, I think she has more experience in the public eye, but I’m not sure she brings the kind of inspiration to the White House that we need.
“I think Hillary Clinton is right, we need to work hard and tend to domestic matters,” she said, “but I think Obama looks to the future.”
Sullivan said issues she believes need addressed include health care, how to make up for years of oil dependency and the trade balance, which she said is in terrible shape.
She said she would prefer that more emphasis be put on party platform rather than personalities of the candidates.
“I’m old enough to remember when the platforms got equal time as the candidate,” she said. “I think the platform represents a much stronger policy by the party. I’m a little disappointed we have not heard more about the platform; it makes me feel a little disenfranchised.”
A native Californian, Sullivan said her California friends were enthusiastic Obama supporters. After the debate, she said she saw some of what their enthusiasm was about.
“Obama is articulate and thoughtful, whereas Mrs. Clinton came across more ... she described herself as a fighter. Those of us watching want to know what we are fighting about,” she said.
Sullivan said she was pleased to hear both candidates would renegotiate NAFTA with Mexico and Canada, and said it was heartening to hear interest in domestic problems. She was also glad Obama pointed out the cost of the Iraq war.
“I think they are both strong candidates,” she said. “I am proud that Democrats could field people so well suited to the presidency. That makes me hopeful for the future.”
Sullivan said her husband was thrilled to hear Obama talk about the need for investment in the area of science.
“That sold him,” she said. “I agree that science is very important, but I still have to chew on it and read some more.
“The fact that Obama attracts Republicans and Independents might make him a more attractive candidate,” she added.
