Doris Marshall, Retired, Bellevue

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"Well, I think maybe he's smart to be doing that. I'm surprised -- I thought he'd probably stay until he got further along. I think it was a surprise to everybody... He hasn't been able to get out and campaign because he's been busy in the Senate."

Ross Jinkens, High school junior, Lake Stevens

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"I'm not really up on politics but I guess I don't really see how he could have kept up with his job in the Senate while doing a presidential campaign. I don't see a point to trying to do both. Most of your attention needs to be focused on the presidency."

David Fitzgerald, Tile contractor, Bothell

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"I think this is the end of his reign and this is his best shot. It's all or nothing. I think he did the right thing. If he loses, he can retire gracefully... I hope he wins. I don't think he's the best man for the job, but he's better than Clinton. He's not totally right-wing. He's a compromiser, which is better than left-wing or right-wing. And he's not a liar... Now he can totally focus his attention on the presidency. The Democrats were creating a gridlock because he was Senate Majority Leader... I hope Clinton loses. You can't print in the paper what I think about Clinton."

Maja Hansen, College junior, Redmond

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"I really don't know. I'd heard about it, but I go to college and all I've been doing is studying. I just finished my finals and nobody's been really concerned with anything but school... It did surprise me to hear that he was actually resigning because I don't think he's likely to do anything -- to win the presidency -- and he's giving up a good job. He's risking a lot. I just don't think a lot of people are very impressed with him."

Samuel Obunike, Engineer, Kirkland

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"I don't really have anything to say about his resigning except that it gives him time to work on what he needs to do... If you look at the way things are going, it's all politics as usual. It's important for him to do all he can to win... But, in my opinion, Clinton's doing a good job, and the economy's good, so I think I'd rather see Clinton back in the White House."

Jane Hall, Self-employed artist's agent, Quilcene

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"I think it's probably a wise decision. I think it will increase his chances of winning. It surprised me because he's been in the Senate for so long and this seems like a really serious -- dramatic -- move on his part, without any kind of prior notice. But I'm a Democrat -- a pretty strong Democrat -- so I hope Clinton wins. His ideals are much more closely related to mine than Bob Dole's."

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

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