JUSIPER

 
Ohio focus groups

Posted by Sini

Promising, if disturbing.

Several voters question whether Kerry is strong enough to fight the war on terrorism. They have no idea what he would do about health care or education. They see him as stiff, formal and aloof, especially in contrast to the personable Bush.

If Bush lived next door, he'd be a ''good friend,'' muses Daniel Goddard, 43, an aerospace engineer who is inclined to support Bush.

If Kerry lived next door, Cheryl Maggard, 48, a retired school-bus driver, says he would be someone ''I'd wave at but never get to know.'' Jody Blair, 33, a homemaker and former teacher, says she could see herself outside Kerry's house, ''watching the party through the window.''

But they agree that Kerry ''looks presidential.'' They can envision him in the Oval Office, though they want to know more about what he would do before they'll put him there. Two of the voters say they support Kerry now; three more are leaning his way.

If the problem with Kerry is that they don't know him well enough, they seem to feel they know Bush too well.

The president has no fervent defenders in this group. His finest moment, they say, was his strong response after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Several also mention the tax cuts that Bush sought and won. ''It was nice to get some of my money back,'' Blair says.

But when it comes to the economy, no one cites brightening corporate profits or the rising stock market. They scoff at the idea that the nation has turned the corner when it comes to creating jobs. The service jobs they see available now pay less and don't provide the health benefits offered by the manufacturing jobs that built the middle class in Rust Belt states such as this one.

Asked who sees the past year as a good one for the United States, no one raises a hand.

4:35 PM |