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Chattanooga: Panelists yearn for more on key issues

By: Matt Wilson
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Debate Focus Group

Rather than listening to John McCain and Barack Obama try to pound each other into political pulp, a group of presidential debate watchers say they were craving real answers to real issues.

“What really frustrated me about the debate was just the attacks on each other,” said Shirin Ahlhauser, 21. “They talk about all these high ideals about bipartisanship, and they turn right around and attack each other. I wish they could stay focused on themselves and what they want to do.”

Opinions varied on topics such as immigration and economic policy, but the 25 panelists who participated in a Times Free Press focus group generally agreed that U.S. Sen. Obama, D-Ill., and U.S. Sen. McCain, R-Ariz., should have focused more on the issues than each other.

“I felt that neither candidate told what they plan to do,” said Betty Proctor, 54, who said she had not decided on a candidate. “They spoke over and over without saying much.”

Ms. Ahlhauser, who was undecided before the debate and remained undecided afterward, said she would have preferred to hear economic solutions.

“They’re saying, ‘Oh, I knew this was forthcoming,’” she said of the current economic crisis. “Why didn’t they do something about it then?”

Jarred Clemons, 18, also an undecided voter, said he wanted to get through both candidates’ “smoke and mirrors” to real answers about the economy, especially how young people will be affected by the candidates’ economic plans.

“How are they going to stabilize it for us to have a good future for our kids?” he asked. “It’s going to effect us in the long run.”

Former Chattanooga Police Chief Steve Parks, 51, a McCain supporter, wondered about funding the candidate’s proposals.

“A lot of people would question how we’re going to fund these big government programs,” he said.

Brittiny Lattimore, 21, asked what the candidates plan to do about Wall Street CEOs, who many voters blame for the economic crisis.

“It was kind of skimmed over,” she said. “What’s going to keep them from doing that all over again?”

Matt Davis, also 21, said he wanted to hear clearer answers from the candidates on what citizens will have to sacrifice in this economic climate. He said he wanted to hear about what middle-class people may have to sacrifice, not about taxes on the rich.

“I think they both missed the ball on that question,” he said.

Larry Ingle, 71, an Obama supporter, said he was pleased that both candidates answered the question of whether health care was a right or a responsibility, though he wasn’t sure what Sen. McCain meant when he said it’s a responsibility. Sen. Obama said health care should be a right.

Some panelists identified other issues they didn’t hear about at all. Rachel Harper, 23, said she wanted to hear the candidates talk about immigration. Specifically, she said she wanted to know how the candidates feel about securing the nation’s borders.

“Those who have not become legal yet are taking jobs and taking education,” Ms. Harper said.

But Bob Hartje, 59, said the question may not be as simple as just a border question. He said many immigrants take jobs other Americans wouldn’t want.

“We need a lot of those workers to come into this country,” he said.

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