Published: May 13, 2008 03:46 am            

ELECTION 2008: Who does Lockport want as the next president?

“Undecided” is a bland word, but it’s critical in the historic 2008 presidential campaign.

Lockport area voters are overwhelmingly unhappy with the Bush Administration, but split on the person they want to be the next president.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are still in contention for the Democratic nomination. John McCain is the presumptive candidate of the Republican Party.

“You’ve got an historic era that’s happening in the United States,” said Terry Godfrey, a former Marine and retired Delphi employee. “For the first time, we could have a woman or a black president, which I think is a big step and big, big progress in our country. It’s way overdue.”

Godfrey, who works part-time at Valu Home Center, does not want McCain, a U.S. senator from Arizona.

“I spent four years in the Marine Corps and I know what it’s like to see friends die,” Godfrey said. “I don’t like McCain’s outlook on his 100-years of staying in Iraq. There’s got to be other alternatives there. They’re addressing Iraq when the main problems are next door in Iran and Afghanistan. That’s where they’ve got to concentrate. I don’t think there’s a quick solution in Iraq. Putting our troops there and spending billions of dollars a month is futile.”

• Fay Lignos, 79, visited Lockport from Kenmore to participate in the Mother’s Day Canal Walk. She emigrated from Greece 62 years ago.

“Bush put this country down like (Herbert) Hoover in the ’30s,” Lignos said. “We need somebody like Roosevelt. I’m going to vote Democrat, but either one. I love Hillary. A long time ago, when she was first lady, she did a lot of good for this country.”

• Shane Hornquist of Lockport asked, “Is Ron Paul still in the running or did he drop out? That’s who I would prefer, but I don’t think it will happen.

“I think I like McCain. He seems like a good person. From the feel, he seems like a good candidate who might lead the country in the right direction. He offers a new fresh outlook on a lot of things. I don’t think he’s that inexperienced. I think he’s got a lot of foresight for this country. He’s basically looking for the best for the working class that has really been getting the short end of the straw over the Bush administration. The jobs have been disappearing from the country. The wages of the middle class have been stagnant. The lobbyists are too powerful in Washington. He’s looking to change those things.

• Donna Taylor of Gasport said: “Hillary. It’s the better of the two evils. Not McCain.”

• Anonymous man in Bills cap: “We’re screwed no matter who. I don’t have a horse in this race. None of them are in my better interest. What’s important to me is not important to them.”

• George Rhodes, a Republican senior citizen from Lockport: “Neither one. I think, they’re both crooked. I’d probably take Obama. McCain is the next choice; that’s all we got.”

• Robert Udell of Lockport, George Rhodes’ grandson: “It’s a tough call. They’re (Hillary and Obama) fighting against each other so much it feels like it’s all about those two and not the American people. McCain will probably get my vote. He’s been around for a l-o-o-o-ong time. He’s an old man. He has a lot of experience. He’s a behind-the-scenes guy, staying low. That’s what I like about him.”

• Cindy Schumacher of Pendleton: “I’m leaning toward Obama, but I’m undecided. If it came down between Hillary and McCain. I would probably vote for McCain. If it came to Obama or McCain, I would lean for Obama. Now you know what I mean by being undecided.”

• Tom Weichman of Lockport: “Neither. I just don’t trust anybody. I guess I would have to go with Obama. I think he’s going to work hard for us. I’m registered as a Democrat but might vote as a Republican this year.”

• Cathy of Cheektowaga. “I would take either one, Hillary or Obama. I think they’re both great. It doesn’t matter me as long as they get in over McCain. I don’t want another Republican four years in the White House. It’s definitely time for a change.”

• Gene, 79, and Barb Kolipinski, 78, of Wilson.

Barb: “I don’t know yet because I’ve got to see who’s really running. A woman’s got to get in there. We’ve got to go the other way to get out of this slump.”

Gene: “Hillary. We need a change from the Republicans back to the Democrats. When Bush was running, I didn’t want to vote for him because of the servicemen over there. I think he made the biggest mistake of his life. He got us into it. World War II lasted four years and here we’re going into the sixth year, already. They’ll keep the guys there forever.”

• Helen Bernier of Gasport: “I’m going to vote for Obama. It’s a tough choice between the two of them. I’m going with my gut feeling. I think Hillary is competent, but something about her rubs me the wrong way. I definitely want a Democrat.

“I have a son in the Air Force. He just got back for Qatar. You never how the military is — they change their mind all of the time. They can be deployed at any time. Anything can happen. I’m just glad he’s home safely.”

• Mary Urtel of Gasport: “I’m indecisive right now. If I had to vote, it might be Hillary. I’m still undecided. It will be a Democrat for sure. McCain’s another George Bush, and we don’t need another one of those.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott 439-9222, ext. 6246.

        

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