Most Athens politicians considered the presidential candidates' plans for the economy, energy and education and decided that Barack Obama is the best choice for Southeast Ohio.
The economy was a deciding factor for several city and county officials who emphasized the need for job opportunities and federal funding.
I'd say Obama would have more of a positive effect on Athens than (John) McCain would
said Athens Mayor Paul Wiehl. What bothers me about McCain is his plan to freeze all funding except military spending.
Cuts in federal funding could hurt city programs and services, he added.
Federal support is also necessary when it comes to education in Southeast Ohio, said Athens City Councilwoman Debbie Phillips, D-4th ward, who is running for state representative for the 92nd district.
Obama will support Gov. Ted Strickland's Turnaround Ohio Plan, which would emphasize early education programs like Head Start, Phillips said.
Investing in renewable energy is important for the environment as well as for local companies that specialize in alternative energy source development, Phillips said.- said City Councilman Elahu Gosney, D-at large. I feel with Obama's plan we will see results maybe not in the next year but certainly over the next few years.
When choosing a president, it's important to look at national issues, national security, the economy, tax cuts and health care issues that can be applied to Southeast Ohio, said Pete Couladis, chairman of the Athens County Republican Party.
McCain will keep taxes low and preserve the privatized health care system, Couladis said.
Some political officials support a specific candidate, but others just want certain problems to be addressed.
Both Obama and McCain are discussing ways to increase employment, which is a priority for Athens and Southeast Ohio, said Jim Sands, city councilman, D-at large and owner of the Athens Flower Shop.
I can't say at this point whether either candidate is addressing that as strongly as I'd like to hear it Sands said.
Whoever is president must be able to create new jobs and maintain current businesses, said Larry Payne, Athens County commissioner candidate and membership services coordinator for the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.
The economy has to be turned around
Payne said. Most people are expecting it to be difficult for next year.
Although Obama has about a 6 point lead over McCain ' according to a Pew Research Center poll conducted from Wednesday to Saturday with a 2.5 percent margin of error ' the results of the election could still be up in the air, said Ken Heineman, a professor of history at OU's Lancaster campus who is an expert in modern politics.
There are so many polling models that are so different
this year it's next to impossible to tell (who's ahead)
Heineman said.
Another factor that could influence the results is the large number of first-time voters.
What's going on with first-time younger voters is they have no history of past performance
he said. And just because they are registered
are they going to vote?
Ohio is an important state for both candidates, but Delaware County and Fairfield County are especially important for McCain. But if McCain wins Ohio, he can still lose the election, Heineman added.
In Ohio, Obama has a 6 point lead over McCain, according to the University of Cincinnati's Ohio Poll conducted from Wednesday to Saturday with a 2.7 percent margin of error.
Despite the difference in the two presidential campaigns, both Obama and McCain have had a positive effect on Athens because their campaigns brought prominent politicians and business to Athens.
The candidates' campaigns have also gotten people excited about voting, said Jim Pancake, Athens county commissioner candidate and former York Township trustee.
(Voter) turnout is getting better
not just with all the students but with some of the older people around here who have never voted before
he said.
