Susan Miller, Gemologist, Bellevue

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"Bob Dole. I just think he represents the family issues -- bringing the family together. I think there's moral decline -- the violence, the divorce rate... If we are going to bring the family unit back together, there can be laws to enforce that, laws networked with TV and the media to limit violence and sexually-explicit materials... We should put God first, family second -- and get our morals right... I guess I just want to see values put back in our nation."

Robert Sherrell, Network manager, Bellevue

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"Bill Clinton. I haven't see quite the leadership in Bob Dole that I think we need. He seems to be more interested in attaining the office rather than solving the problems we currently face, like the budget impasse... It's really the lesser of two evils. We've really had to choose the lesser of two evils for several elections. And I mean going way back -- I'm not just talking about 'Tricky Dick' -- back when both the incumbent and the challenger had good, strong backgrounds in leadership and experience and their goal was that the U.S. overall came first. Like Humphrey and Johnson... I really believe the U.S. has gone beyond the current set-up we use for electing politicians and selecting their terms and powers... A general observation is that the Republicans have got to quit running against Hillary."

Connie Saxton, Part-time employee, Bellevue

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"I think I would prefer Bill Clinton, myself. He does a good job with his presidency, and he seems to be fairly knowledgeable about a lot of things that are going on... Nothing really bothers me about the scandals -- he seems to be right on top of things and he seems to enjoy what he's doing... I don't have any real bad feelings about Dole. I just think that Bill Clinton makes a better president."

Neil Manheimer, Part-time employee, Bellevue

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"I don't know... I guess if it came right down to it, Dole would be the one I'd be voting for because I'm a Republican."

Edith Clarke, Technical writer, Lynnwood

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"Bill Clinton. In the first place, I'm a Democrat, and I think that he has much more progressive ideas for this country... I think Dole is mean-spirited -- he has a mean and vindictive streak, and I don't think he's sympathetic to the needs of the American people... I think Bill Clinton will win. And I think that in spite of a certain amount of reactionism on behalf of those who feel threatened, most of the American people feel positive and optimistic about the potential of this country... And the other thing is -- I think that change is the greatest constant that we now have to face, and that Bill Clinton is much more responsive to the need for change."

Tony Arredondo, Sales, Seattle

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"Clinton. I think Bob Dole's rather scary -- I don't believe in legislating morality and I think he's going to try... But Clinton is more like the lesser of two evils -- I thought Hillary would be a little better influence on him. I don't think he follows through all that well on any of his promises -- he isn't really trying to work with Congress... And he's very commercial, which is very presidential these days. But if you're talking about leadership, Clinton doesn't have it. But leadership hasn't been a factor in many years."

Copyright © 1996 by the Bellevue, WA-based Journal American newspaper.

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