Locals debate their picks for president

By Sean Ruppert, Staff Writer
   Prospective voters at the South Brunswick Library and at Stop & Shop on Route 522 overwhelmingly said the state of the economy is the most important issue to them in the upcoming election.
   The South Brunswick Post interviewed approximately 20 residents Tuesday about what issues are influencing their votes. Those interviewed split on their support for the candidates, with slightly more saying they planned on voting for Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, than for Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, on Tuesday.
   No one said they planned on voting for Ralph Nader, or any other third-party or independent candidate.
   Joseph Owusu, a student at Union County College, said he had originally considered voting for Sen. McCain because of taxes, but changed his mind when he learned more about Sen. Obama’s tax policy.
   ”I was leaning McCain, even though I don’t make a lot of money I don’t want to see any taxes go up,” Mr. Owusu said while at the library. “But I thought Obama’s idea of giving a break for people under $250,000 makes sense, because the economy is really bad.”
   Mr. Owusu also said health care is important to him, and that Sen. Obama has a better plan for getting people like himself insured.
   Peter Waters, of Monmouth Junction, said at Stop & Shop that he plans on voting for Sen. McCain. He said national security and the economy are his two most important issues.
   ”I think McCain is more experienced and more capable of guiding our country at this time,” Mr. Waters said. “I also seriously question some of Obama’s affiliations with some radical thinkers.”
   Mini Ayappan, of Monmouth Junction, said at the library that she was on the fence, but settled on Sen. Obama after the two candidates made the vice presidential selections.
   ”I guess the most important issues are the economy, and foreign affairs, whether or not they are capable or not to make decisions there,” Ms. Ayappan said. “It took a while for me to decide. I waited to see who they brought on their team. It was important to see if their choice inspired confidence.”
   Susan Argese, of South Brunswick, said she will vote for Sen. McCain. She said her husband owns a locksmith business on Wall Street in New York, and has been feeling the pinch of the economy. She believes Sen. McCain will do a better job.
   She also said she is the mother of a special needs child and that Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin would be an advocate on this issue because she is also the mother of a special needs child.
   She added that President George W. Bush has taken too much of the blame for the current state of the economy.
   ”Maybe he didn’t do such a bad job, it isn’t all Bush’s fault,” she said. “America got too greedy, everyone did. Our parents used to value every penny.”
   Art Biroc, of Monmouth Junction, said his main issue is the economy, and that he plans to vote for Sen. Obama. Mr. Biroc said he had only made his mind up in the last few weeks.
   ”It crystallized for me after the debates. I felt, watching, that he was the better candidate, and that helped make my decision,” he said while at the library. “The number one thing is the economy, because I don’t think either one has the answer on the war. I don’t think there is an answer on the war.”
   Michelle Ferreira, of Dayton, said he would vote for Sen. McCain. She listed her main issues as the economy, health care, education and the war in Iraq.
   ”I just think he has more experience in the Senate and with security,” Ms. Ferreira said. “McCain seems like more of a go-getter.”