RAMADI, Iraq, Oct 27 (AFP) - They are angry, apathetic or jaded. There are Nader independents, Bush lovers, Bush bashers, Kerry paranoiacs, die-hard Democrats.
The US military's Camp Ramadi, a former Saddam Hussein military base, is a microcosm of Americas tortured and contentious presidential election politics: samplings of loyalties do not come to any definitive truths.
Some fresh-faced soldiers express disappointment with President George W. Bushs decision to invade Iraq. However, that does not translate to automatic support for his democrat rival John Kerry.
Most ballots have been sealed and sent back for counting in America, although federal absentee ballots are still available ahead of next Tuesday's polls.
Here in Ramadi, the voter turnout in some battalions has probably been less than 50 percent, mirroring the traditional turnout back home. Some soldiers have chosen to abstain despite the added significance of the 2004 election as a referendum on the Bush foreign policy and the US-led war on terror.
"I hate the Bush family since the father pledged read my lips. No new taxes," says one soldier at a random checkpoint set up at the edge of Ramadi.
But asked if hell vote, he says: "No way."
Another soldier says he will not cast a ballot, describing both Bush and Kerry as "liars."
One private in his early twenties searching Iraqi cars and pickup trucks and padding down men, says he was once a diehard Republican, but has lost faith in President Bush. He said many of his family and friends had gone through the same conversion in Missouri.
He asks what happened to the weapons of mass destruction they had been told they were invading Iraq to discover.
"Im a Republican from a town thats at least 85 percent Republican. I voted Kerry because I think America needs a change in political leadership."
The private feels Bush has misrepresented Iraq to the American people.
"They built it up like we are making so much progress. I see positive things can happen here, but the way Bush defends his reasons for coming here he has changed his story now so many times. Ive lost faith."
A junior officer measures Bushs record like he would a military commander.
"In the army if you screw up, you should be fired. Why should it be any different in the civilian leadership."
Another soldiers disgust with both candidates has driven him toward independent Ralph Nader. Sitting in the back of a truck to escape the sun, he says: "I dont want to vote for Kerry or Bush."
He adds he did not get to watch the three presidential debates, nor did many of the soldiers, as they were broadcast at pre-dawn in Iraq.
Meanwhile in Baghdad, soldiers voiced strong support for Bush.
"If you ask me, I wouldn't vote for either of them. But I did choose Bush. He brought us here; he has to take us out", said one officer.
"We are deeply involved here. We can't have a president who will pull us out. I can't even imagine what will happen here if we leave now," he added.
Another soldier said he voted for Bush because he relates easier to him.
"Bush is someone who could be your uncle. You can sit down and share a beer with him. I don't see myself doing that with Kerry", he said.

10/27/2004 11:56 GMT - AFP