The Enquirer

Thoughts from local voters on John Kerry's choice of John Edwards to be his vice-presidential running mate.

Quotes

"The way I feel right now, I don't think Kerry's going to win," said Ruairi Rhodes, 22, of Cincinnati. "The problem with Edwards is he's not going to carry the Southern states. . . . He's not conservative enough.''

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"I just don't think it matters who Kerry picks as a running mate. I think Bush is going to win because he's doing a great job,'' said Caroline Geselbracht of Loveland.

"I liked how (Edwards) stood for health-care issues and trying to keep the cost down on those," said IBM employee Kevin Ondriezek of Pittsburgh. Ondriezek said he is an undecided voter and that Edwards adds to Kerry's campaign, but "the only drawback was that he was a lawyer.''

"He definitely has personality,'' said Mary McDonald of Clifton. "That energy that he has will bring out the Democratic base.''

"Kerry is as dull as a rock,'' said 50-year-old Covington resident Rick Neube, who added that he had already decided to vote for him anyway. "Edwards is charismatic, and God knows they need it.''

"Whoever can get Bush out of office has my vote,'' said Elainea Jaber, 22, of Newport, who added that she is probably going to vote for Kerry.

"I really don't know anything about (Edwards),'' said Clifton Heights resident Omar Mills, 23. "Does it add to it (Kerry's campaign)? Probably not. Does it take away from it? Probably not.''

"I believe it's going to make for a tough race,'' said Cawthorn Miree, 38, of Clifton. "He's going to capture a lot of the younger vote as a result of him being a young senator.''

"I think Edwards is very down- to-earth," said Jim Gross, 33, of Mason. "Anything he can bring from the South can help ... more than the Southern states, he's more identifiable.'' Gross said he had already decided to vote for Kerry.

- Compiled by Ari Bloomekatz