Vox Pop

With the US Presidential Election just 5 days away, we asked the people of Bournemouth which candidate they would vote for if given the chance.

Democrat candidate Barack Obama, 47, who is currently leading the presidential polls in the US, appeared to be a more popular choice than his Republican rival John McCain.

"He's more sensible than McCain", claims retired Nurse Linda Marshall from Wyke Road, "he's got more policies that the US need". David Lyndhurst from Oxford Road agrees with this, and feels that Obama "would be a refreshing figure for the US".

Some preferences were made based on the way in which current President George Bush has handled his eight years in charge, such as that of retired 65-year-old Nicky Jones from Iford Road Christchurch: "The US needs a change; Bush was a waste of time."

Of those who said they would vote for McCain, many were worried about the consquences that would stem from having a black president if Obama won the election. Such is the belief of teaching assistant Venus Blake: "I worry that if Obama wins, it will be the start of a lot of racial trouble". 

Even though Grant Stone, 35 from Wimbourne Road said he would vote for Obama, he feels that "racial prejudice is the main concern" regarding the Democrat candidate's presidential campaign. This fear has no doubt become more widespread, after it was recently discovered that two white Nazi-supremists were plotting to assassinate Obama. "They definitely need change. That's what we need too, in Britain" was 56-year-old Mrs Hopkins' view, a lollipop lady from Birmingham. her view contrasted with Mrs Blake and Mr Stone's opinions.

Steve Hudney, a 58-year-old legal consultant said, "he would totally change the outlook of the US." His belief was shared with 59-year-old sales manager David, "He would be a refreshing figure for the US." Joanna Foyle and Charlie Kerr, psychology and market students respectively, both agreed with this. "He's what America needs," said Joanna. Charlie expressed his opinion, "Obama looks more likely to solve the problems the US is facing."

Not everyone spoken to was interested in politics such as 65-year-old consultant engineer Roger Blackman, "I have no interest whatsoever." "I wouldn't vote, I don't even vote in this country let alone vote for an American president," was Charlotte Hemp, a 24-year-old office secretary's view.