Kerry Campaign Events A Mixing Bowl Of Undecided And Convinced Voters

RACINE, West Virginia, Sept 8 (AFP) - Americans attending Democratic presidential contender John Kerry's campaign events are an eclectic mix of undecided voters, Kerry backers and sometimes angry folks who are still struggling over their choice in the November 2 election.
Although she is a Democrat, Connie Mason, 49, is unsure whether she will choose Kerry or Republican President George W. Bush in the election.
"I am really not sure," said Mason, who accompanied her mother to a campaign picnic in a field in Racine, in the southern state of West Virginia.
Mason voted for then vice president Al Gore and former president Bill Clinton, both Democrats, in the last elections.
But she said her busy schedule kept her from watching the Democratic and Republican conventions and learning more about the candidates.
"That's why I am here," Mason said. "I wanted to hear what (Kerry) has got to say. ... I want to hear both (candidates) speak and then I can make up my mind."
Although she likes Kerry, she said she will probably decide on her preferred candidate "at the last minute."
Military veteran Sam Haddad has a similar problem.
Although the 64-year-old retired stock broker is a Republican, he has yet to decide between Bush and Kerry.
"I would consider both," he said. "I try to get both perspectives."
Haddad, who had attended a Bush event a day earlier, said he came to hear Kerry speak because he "wanted to see the person and his own position."
Some voters said they were turned off by television spots attacking Kerry's record.
But they succeeded in convincing at least Jerry Painter's wife.
Although the 34-year-old hosptial worker will vote for Kerry, he said his wife "will vote for Bush, because all of this stuff, these ads."
Of course, the campaign events include many Kerry converts ready to cast their votes for the Democrat.
Phyllis Adkins, a 61-year-old retired teacher and Democrat, because "I feel he is for me and not for the rich persons."
"Basically, I think he is going to look out to the little persons and that's me," she said. "I like him."
Vietnam War veteran Bill Elswack, 56, strongly believes Kerry is the right candidate.
"I think John Kerry would be the best president we have ever had," he said.
Although he is a wealthy senator from a rich northeastern state, Elswack said Kerry "has a working-class heart."
"His heart is for America and for the American people," he said.
"In my opinion and I might be wrong, the Republicans are the rich, the Democrats is the working class people," said Elswack, who once voted for late Republican president Ronald Reagan.
In another Kerry campaign event in Cleveland, Ohio, retired machine operator Dorothy Ellis, 70, could not hide the anger she feels against Bush.
"Yes I am angry against him," she said. "I would not walk across the street, if Bush was there. I cannot stand Bush."
She had words of praise for Kerry and some advice: that he ignore attacks from Republicans.
"I like him, because you know why, I feel him. He really wants to help the people," she said.
With her finger pointed to the sky, she added: "If Jesus was here, he'd vote for Kerry."