Battleground Voters Weigh in on Economy

Oct. 7, 2008— -- Along the farm country of Interstate 75, in one of Ohio's more conservative areas, voters sat down with ABC's Charlie Gibson to discuss the issues. From coffee shops to colleges, voters in the crucial state of Ohio are looking for relief from economic pain.

In Wapakoneta, the home of Neil Armstrong, the breakfast crowd, a quartet of small business owners at the Cloud Nine Cafe, was eager to talk.

Alan Davis, a father of three who works in agricultural insurance, described himself as a "solid McCain" supporter.

"Well, for me, it's the economic policy in Washington, especially as it relates to taxation and the small businessman," Davis said. "Having 10 employees, as a small business owner, I'm really concerned about that."

Ellie Archer, 62, who owns a company that makes Murphy beds, is also pro John McCain, and cites the economy as the No. 1 issue confronting America.

"I mean, there is no doubt about that," Archer said. "And it's hurting everybody. It is very, very scary, for the small businesses, especially."

During what she called a "perfect storm" of economic trouble, she said, "We need someone with experience."

Auglaize County leans Republican; it ran nearly 3-1 for Bush in 2000 and again in 2004.

While most are McCain voters, many remain torn.

Vanessa Lee, 37, an audiologist in Wapakoneta, drew a long sigh when asked about her choice. Though she has never voted Democratic, she says that this time she might.

"Do I have to tell you today?" she asked, laughing. "It would be tough. I would have to say probably McCain-Palin, but it would be really, really tight."

She likes Obama's health care plan.

"Health care is a big issue for me, as well as the economy," Lee said. "Health care is very important because I own a small business, as well."

Also torn is Dennis Borgert, who owns a bowling alley and says his preference shifted day to day.

"Today's Obama," Borgert said, adding that Monday was Obama, too, but before that, his vote is hazy.

Ohio voters overwhelmingly expressed concern about the economy and health care, which matches the overall national sentiment. In an ABC/Post poll last week, 53 percent called the economy the single-most important issue in their vote choice, with all other mentions in the single digits.

Only Archer mentioned national security, the first person during our two days of traveling through Ohio to do so.

"I think that we could be attacked again, and if we cut back on our security and our defense budget, I think we would be in big trouble," she said.

Farther north along I-75, at Bowling Green State University in Wood County, Ohio, we visited Melissa Miller, assistant professor of political science for first-year college students.

"Within the state of Ohio, Wood County is a swing county within a swing state," she said. "The candidate that wins Wood County -- it's a real good indicator that they may do very well statewide."

In Miller's freshmen class, all but two students planned to vote in the election. Her class was divided almost 50-50 between the candidates.

But the students had different issues on their minds than the local small business owners: loans for college.

"How am I going to pay for college right now," one student said. "I got a loan out and some scholarships, and it's going to be harder to get those loans. We got to figure out a way to get those loans."

Student after student said they wanted to hear more from the candidates about education issues and being able to pay for college.

Almost all students thought that the American people were ready to vote for an African-American candidate. But one student, an Obama supporter, wasn't so sure.

"I believe America has a lot of skepticism in maybe voting for him because of his race," the student said. "But I hope and I pray that they will look at his plans and the issues that are at stake."

But for the 33,590 registered voters in Auglaize County, economic issues are waiting to be solved.