Undecided voters on AP panel weigh decisions in Senate race (PA)

[ProSense]

Undecided voters on AP panel weigh decisions in Senate race

The Associated Press

EDITOR'S NOTE - Part of an occasional series about how a group of Pennsylvania voters make up their minds in the 2006 U.S. Senate race.

%byline(By PETER JACKSON and KIMBERLY HEFLING%)

They hail from different corners of Pennsylvania. Their ages vary widely, as do their personal backgrounds and occupations. But all say they intend to cast ballots in the Nov. 7 election and, with only weeks to go, had not decided which U.S. Senate candidate will get their votes.

Snip...

David Katz, 39, of Hummelstown, engineer, registered Republican.

If election held today, would vote for: Casey.

Quote: "It seems like both parties play to the extremes and nobody cares about the centrist (voters) any more."

---

Jack McLaughlin, 48, of Pittsburgh, teacher, registered independent.

If election held today, would vote for: Santorum.

Quote: "I'm really holding my nose. That's the only way to describe it."

---

Gary Green, 46, of Philadelphia, computer programmer, registered Republican.

If election held today, would vote for: Santorum.

Quote: "I don't like it when (Santorum) gets involved in social issues like that, the Terri Schiavo thing, although the gay thing I didn't care too much for either. ... The things people do outside the government is not the government's business."

---

Kathleen Karcher, 70, of Blue Bell, retired clerk, registered Democrat.

If election held today, would vote for: Unsure.

Quote: "It's kind of quiet. I don't feel like I'm being hounded (by political campaigns) this year. I don't know if I'm missing it or they are lower-key than they used to be."

Snip...

---

Doris Jones, 76, of Carlisle, retired office worker, registered Republican.

If election held today, would vote for: Unsure.

Quote: "I've never missed a general election."

more...

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-09232006-717182.html

[MissWaverly]

1. Where do they find these people

everybody I know from PA dislikes Santorum!!!

[katsy]

2. One registered Democrat;

7 registered gop & 2 independants.

Read the comments from the gop'ers. They are big duhhhs.

[MissWaverly]

3. Yeah, but I know a PA Republican who is voting straight Dem

He has been a substantial contributor to the GOP Party, he has given huge amounts because
he is a devout Catholic, he has given to the GOP ever since Roe v Wade. He is voting Dem
this year. He says, the government is corrupt and Iraq is a mess.

[katsy]

4. Sorry if I was unclear.

I was referring to the specific remarks from the people in this group. For instance:

<< Gary Green, 46, of Philadelphia, computer programmer, registered Republican.

If election held today, would vote for: Santorum.

Quote: "I don't like it when (Santorum) gets involved in social issues like that, the Terri Schiavo thing, although the gay thing I didn't care too much for either. ... The things people do outside the government is not the government's business." >>


He has just given 2 very good reasons for not voting for santorum. Maybe the tax cuts or terra terra terra alerts trump all. Who knows?

Edited to add: Also, if AP wanted a balanced panel... why 7 R, 2 I & 1 Democrat? Is PA that red?

[MissWaverly]

5. I remember their panels from 2004

they always leaned Republican but I think in PA, there is deep disenchantment with the party.
Also my friend is a great believer in careful money management, he thinks the Congress
is out of control and the lack of oversight and corruption; he considers it a fiasco.

[Ignacio Upton]

6. Doesn't PA have more registered Democrats?

They've also gone Democrat in each Presidential Election since 1992.

[wisteria]

7. Yes. However in certain areas the Dems vote repub.

That said,I think this lineup of potential votes is loaded. What a set up. There should have been a disclaimer at the bottom stating paid for by Rick Santorum. Some of these people are critical of the repubs, but voting for Santorum any way. Oh, and the comment that Casey is running on this father's name? It is his name too! Let's hope most of these uninformed idiots find something better to do than vote on election day.

Oh, one last thing, I know of two Republicans that have changed their party to Dem and are voting for Casey.

[ProSense]

8. LOL! "paid for by Rick Santorum." Yup, it's AP's ITV

Influence the Vote!

[Ignacio Upton]

9. I understand that a lot of PA Dems are Reagan Dems

But the panel should have at least been reflective of party registration, and included some Reagan Dems in it in addition to liberal and moderate Dems (who also weren't present!)