By Jim Golding
Feelings in L.B. mixed about national ticket, personalities
With the general election less than a week away, and with the World Series over, citizens can now turn their attention back to the polls, much to the glee of the politicians.
Last weekend, the Herald asked several local residents about their opinions on issues of most importance to them and about their preferences for candidates in the election.
Taxes, the environment, selections for the Supreme Court and abortion were among the issues mentioned by respondents. Several had no strong feelings about the candidates at either the local, state or national levels.
"None of the candidates have addressed the issues I'm interested in," said Myron Heckler, a senior citizen. "The issues I'm interested in include poverty, homelessness, and housing. Do you hear anybody talking about that? I'm probably the only one in Long Beach voting for [Ralph] Nader."
As for any burning issues he is concerned about, Tim Bristoll said he has no general complaints. But he had something to say about U.S. Senate candidate Hillary Clinton.
"Hillary's interests are her own, not the people of New York," Mr. Bristoll said. "She's blatantly opportunistic, but I think she will be elected because that's how things work."
The environment, a woman's right to choose and health care are issues that Maureen Harrison, who describes herself as a lifelong Democrat, expressed interest in as she sat on a boardwalk bench watching the sunset Saturday afternoon. For her, this translates into support for Al Gore and Ms. Clinton.
"I don't like Bush and I'm hoping for Gore as much as I don't like him either," Ms. Harrison said. "I don't think Bush has the intelligence to deal with national issues. Gore is kind of cold, but he's intelligent."
Ms. Harrison said she plans to vote for Ms. Clinton. Although she admits she "didn't like her at the beginning," Ms. Harrison said Mr. Lazio comes across as "very arrogant."
"It turned me off during the debate where he got in her face," Ms. Harrison said.
"They're all bums," said her friend James LaFratta, who sat alongside her also watching the sun set. "They tell you what they want you to hear."
Dr. Marleen Wekell, who works for the Food and Drug Administration, moved to Long Beach from Seattle about a year ago and noted that the region's high cost of living concerns her the most, along with the environment and food safety.
She is somewhat ambivalent about the candidates for Presidenti. "I wish we had better choices," Dr. Wekell said. "They both give me concern."
But Wekell added, "My greatest concern with the Republicans is their attachment to the Religious Right and their attack on women's reproductive freedom."
A man in his 20's who identified himself only as Eric, said that his most important concern was the selection of the next Supreme Court justices. "It's the only reason I'm voting," he said.
He said he preferred Mr. Gore for president and that he was voting for Ms. Clinton for senator "just because she's a woman."
His friend Chris said that, at the national level, he pays attention "to each candidate's perception on the direction we should be moving in," and favors Mr. Gore because he "has it right on the money. He's for doing things now so the future will be better."
He added that he "probably won't vote in the Senate race" but that he favors Mr. Lazio because he's from Long Island and a native New Yorker.
A man who asked not to be identified at all said prison overcrowding was his main concern. "They're putting too many people in jail," he said, explaining that those who commit nonviolent crimes should not be incarcerated as quickly as those convicted of violent offenses.
"Instead of spending $50,000 a year to keep them in prison, we should spend $10,000 a year to educate and rehabilitate them," he said.
He also said that in the political races, he likes the Republicans "for one reason: I think they're the only ones who have the guts to change the system."
"I just can't wait for it to be over," said Tiffany Gonzalez, who was out shopping Sunday afternoon. But she expressed her political preferences for Ms. Clinton and Mr. Gore. "I like them better," because of their views on taxes and abortion.
Taxes are of greatest concern to Darrin Colbourne. "They're always too high," said Colbourne, who favors Mr. Bush and Mr. Lazio in Tuesday's election.
