Local electorate divided; many undecided

Local electorate divided; many undecided

Nov. 4, 2000

By Janelle Holden
Journal Staff Writer

A random questioning of registered voters in the area on Friday revealed an electorate as divided as the rest of the country. The two presidential front-runners, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore, have inspired some and turned off others.

Harry Siebert from Dolores says he is still undecided on who should be president and plans to make up his mind when he "goes in to vote." "My choices are between two — probably not Bush," he explained. Siebert plans to make up his mind based on the candidates’ stance on environmental and economic issues.

Both Jeannie Nelson and Joanne Ailts from Cortez also have yet to make a firm decision. "It’s hard. You want to make the right decision," said Nelson. She explained that although her husband will be voting straight Republican, she needs to look at both sides before she votes.

"You can’t hardly put an awful lot of store in what they say," she commented.

Siebert, Nelson, and Ailts said they would consider voting for a third-party candidate, while Cortezan Larry Smith said he will "probably" vote for Nader because, he said, "I think he’ll do something for the people."

Some voters have already made their choices by voting early at the polls.

Jim Black of Cortez said he voted for Bush but commented, "I didn’t like either one of ’em too good." When asked why he chose Bush he said, "Well Bush is for capital punishment and I am, and Bush is against gun control and I am." He also mentioned that he agreed with Bush’s stance on Social Security, and other fiscal issues.

Black said Bush’s recent admission that he was convicted of a DUI in 1976 would not have swayed his vote. "Now if he had mugged an old lady or something, that’d be different," he commented.

Ron Galyean, of Dove Creek, is voting for the Democratic candidate, Gore. "I just think that he’s got the experience, and I think Bush, maybe, is just a little too radical," he explained.

But Gore’s ties to the Clinton administration have inspired skepticism in other voters. "I’m tired of the old administration and I think Gore is the exact protégé of Clinton," explained Richard Gurd of Cortez, who is giving his vote to Bush. Gurd watched the presidential debates and though he didn’t pick a winner, he said, "Bush came off as more sincere and honest."

In addition, Gurd said Bush’s stance against gun control was very important to him, and that his DUI would have no effect on his vote. "Clinton himself never inhaled," he said ironically.

Part-time Coloradan Charles Chapin also voiced his disapproval of the current administration. "I just don’t have confidence in the Democratic presidency that we’ve had. I think they’ve been a disgrace to the White House," he explained.

Two hunters from South Dakota said they voted for Bush because, "He’s the lesser of the two evils."

Residents also seemed torn over the close district-attorney race between incumbent Democrat Mike Green and Republican Joe Olt.

Siebert said he will be voting for Green. "We’re kind of new here, and he’s been in office, and I would just have to say that experience does count in that position," he explained.

"I’ve known Green from years ago," said Gurd, but added, "Well, I don’t know much about Olt, but I think we need a change."