It's not all about the Republicans in New Hampshire Tuesday. Democrats also are headed to the polls and several supporters of President Obama had some thoughts on his job performance, the Republican field and the road ahead in 2012.
Margaret Schoene of Exeter, who left the polls having cast her ballot for Obama, says she's nervous and excited about the 2012 election.
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"He's managed to get things done," she says, despite what she called "unpatriotic" opposition from GOP legislative leaders.
"He got us out of Iraq like he promised and he's working on getting us out of Afghanistan," she says.
Obama's health care law will grow in popularity over time, she predicts, and she also praises the president for working to regulate Wall Street via the Dodd-Frank law.
[Read the U.S. News debate: Should the Dodd-Frank Act Be Repealed?]
"He's addressing the problems that led to the recession," she says. "He doesn't get the credit he deserves. He's more middle-of-the-road than people think."
Commenting on the Republican presidential field, Schoene says, "Some of them are just clowns."
"They're not up to the job," she says.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, both vying for the GOP presidential nomination, seem to have the most crossover appeal.
[See a collection of political cartoons on the 2012 GOP hopefuls.]
"Romney would probably do the least damage of all of them. Huntsman is the most personally attractive, although I disagree with most of his positions."
Bob Ganley of Exeter, also an Obama supporter, says he's optimistic about the president's re-election chances.
"He's done a great job," he says. Of the Republicans, he prefers Romney or Huntsman, he says.
Another Democratic voter from Kingston says he did not vote for Obama, but wrote in Huntsman's name, his vote will not be counted in the GOP primary.
"It's what I would have done if I could vote in their primary," he says.
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Email: rmetzler@usnews.com
Twitter: @rebekahmetzler
Reader Comments Read all comments (1)
John Habernathy of NE 8:51PM January 10, 2012