Post by Marc LeVine on Nov 8, 2006 18:00:50 GMT -5
War in Iraq drives many Shore voters to polls
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/8/06
STAFF REPORT
The war in Iraq was clearly on the minds of voters in Monmouth and Ocean counties Tuesday, with many citing the prolonged military struggle as the main reason for casting a ballot, especially in the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Robert Menendez and Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr.
"This is an anti-Bush vote for me," said Rick Quinones, 58, of Freehold. "I'm voting to send a message, and that's basically about Iraq."
Joe Zhao, 37, of Millstone Township said he was "not satisfied with the Republicans, (and) especially Iraq."
Zhao said he agreed with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who recently said young people should "study hard and make an effort to be smart" or they "get stuck in Iraq." Later, Kerry said the remark was intended as a joke about Bush for not doing his homework, rather than criticism of those in the military.
"I don't think he means the soldiers; I think he means Bush," Zhao said.
Donald Ferensick of Jackson said he voted "for the man that would bring (property) taxes down and be against the war."
Menendez voted against the resolution providing funds for the war and has been a critic of the involvement in Iraq. Kean said he supported President Bush's Iraq policies, although he called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Joseph David, also of Jackson, whose best friend is serving in Iraq, said the war made him vote straight down the Democratic line.
He said he cast his vote "to stop the Republican war machine."
Several local voting districts reported strong turnouts throughout the day.
In Manchester, a group of voters showed up at Ridgeway Fire Station 34 before 6 a.m. and stood outside waiting for the polls to open.
"That's unusual," poll worker Charles Montagna said. "I've never seen that before."
Voter turnout continued to be "very heavy" through the day, he added.
For and against change
In Dover Township, a ballot question regarding a name change — from Dover to Toms River — may have helped increase the turnout, according to Alice Scivoletti, who works in the township clerk's office.
Phil Citta, 35, said he voted against the name change because "it would be a needless tax expense, especially for the small businesses."
John Gilman, 56, of Howell said taxes drove him to the polls.
"I'm a registered Democrat, but I haven't voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter," he said. "I like to call them the "taxocrats.' "
In Freehold, Dave Schreier, 45, said he voted for a different reason: He loves his town.
He said immigration was a concern for him, but he believes the incumbents "do what they can to try to control the situation."
"It's an uphill battle, but they make sure the town keeps up with all the improvements, police protection and working with the schools," he said.
Melissa Goldstein, 39, of Upper Freehold declined to say for whom she voted, but said "I'm just happy to have a choice to vote, to be American."
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/8/06
STAFF REPORT
The war in Iraq was clearly on the minds of voters in Monmouth and Ocean counties Tuesday, with many citing the prolonged military struggle as the main reason for casting a ballot, especially in the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Robert Menendez and Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr.
"This is an anti-Bush vote for me," said Rick Quinones, 58, of Freehold. "I'm voting to send a message, and that's basically about Iraq."
Joe Zhao, 37, of Millstone Township said he was "not satisfied with the Republicans, (and) especially Iraq."
Zhao said he agreed with Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who recently said young people should "study hard and make an effort to be smart" or they "get stuck in Iraq." Later, Kerry said the remark was intended as a joke about Bush for not doing his homework, rather than criticism of those in the military.
"I don't think he means the soldiers; I think he means Bush," Zhao said.
Donald Ferensick of Jackson said he voted "for the man that would bring (property) taxes down and be against the war."
Menendez voted against the resolution providing funds for the war and has been a critic of the involvement in Iraq. Kean said he supported President Bush's Iraq policies, although he called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Joseph David, also of Jackson, whose best friend is serving in Iraq, said the war made him vote straight down the Democratic line.
He said he cast his vote "to stop the Republican war machine."
Several local voting districts reported strong turnouts throughout the day.
In Manchester, a group of voters showed up at Ridgeway Fire Station 34 before 6 a.m. and stood outside waiting for the polls to open.
"That's unusual," poll worker Charles Montagna said. "I've never seen that before."
Voter turnout continued to be "very heavy" through the day, he added.
For and against change
In Dover Township, a ballot question regarding a name change — from Dover to Toms River — may have helped increase the turnout, according to Alice Scivoletti, who works in the township clerk's office.
Phil Citta, 35, said he voted against the name change because "it would be a needless tax expense, especially for the small businesses."
John Gilman, 56, of Howell said taxes drove him to the polls.
"I'm a registered Democrat, but I haven't voted for a Democrat since Jimmy Carter," he said. "I like to call them the "taxocrats.' "
In Freehold, Dave Schreier, 45, said he voted for a different reason: He loves his town.
He said immigration was a concern for him, but he believes the incumbents "do what they can to try to control the situation."
"It's an uphill battle, but they make sure the town keeps up with all the improvements, police protection and working with the schools," he said.
Melissa Goldstein, 39, of Upper Freehold declined to say for whom she voted, but said "I'm just happy to have a choice to vote, to be American."