Election Guide News, voter information HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Residents vote Tuesday morning at the Bob Ruud Community Center. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Megan McCain, daughter of presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, reads to children from her book about her dad last Tuesday. Advertisement

Enough about polls, already -- the election is over.

Aw, come on, how about just one more survey of what is on the minds of residents in Pahrump as they exited their polling places?

Some voters wanted to keep their personal decision to themselves, like Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, when interviewed by the news media afer voting in her home town of Wasilla, Alaska Tuesday morning.

Others agreed to share their opinions with the PVT.

A number of people who voted at the Bob Ruud Community Center said they voted for Republican John McCain, some because their first choice, Ron Paul, wasn't on the ballot. Many voters cited McCain's military service and his time spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

"I went for McCain. I didn't care for either one, but you know if he was on my ballot, I would've went for Ron Paul," said Ed Raap.

Sandra Baskiewicz said, "John McCain is my guy. He's got experience, he's been through living hell, which none of us has ever experienced, and I like what he says, and I just dig Palin," Baskiewicz said.

Bill Crider, wearing a cap that said, "All gave some, some gave all," said he voted for McCain.

"McCain served his country, Obama used it. He's never done anything for this country," Crider said.

Nineteen-year-old Nick Doyle, voting in his first election, said he wanted to vote for Ron Paul, who didn't make it past the Republican primary.

"He was one of the few candidates I thought really represented me," Doyle said. He voted for McCain as the lesser of two evils.

Mara Gallegos, a native of Colombia, coming from a continent with some socialist rulers, said she voted for McCain, Gallegos said some people who lack education believe whatever politicians promise.

"I like McCain because I think what he's saying is the truth," Gallegos said. "He can't promise too much like Obama, and I think Obama has the idea of socialism."

Alex Rosputko said he liked Ron Paul but voted for McCain.

"I figure McCain needs every vote he can get," Rosputko said. "I don't like him too much but he's a better choice than Obama. He's more of a centrist, more of a conservative. I don't believe in Obama's trickle-up poverty type of economic philosophy."

Ken Mietzner said, "McCain is the right man of the two."

"He's done a lot for his country, and look at all the stuff that he's been through, and how many guys could even survive that? He's tough. I don't think Obama's even legal to run for president because he doesn't have a birth certificate in the U.S," Mietzner said. [Obama was born in Hawaii several years after it became a state.]

Russ Meads said he and his wife Christi are registered Republicans and die-hard party faithful.

But his wife Christi said, "I'm not as opposed to Obama as most Republicans are. I don't mind a lot of things he does."

Rob Sorrell said he voted for McCain.

"I like his economic plan. I like his plan to stay and win in Iraq. I believe that he's the best man for the job of what we have available. I think he's trusted and I pray that he wins," Sorrell said.

Some voters professed support for the Democratic candidate.

"I'm definitely for Obama all the way," said Roberta Foster. "We're Democrat and he stands for everything we believe, and I think he can get our country straightened out, I really do. If McCain got in he would take us all the way down, farther than Bush has."

Marshall Foster added, of McCain, "He seems like he's all for what Bush was doing, and what Bush was doing for the last eight years has been wrong. So why not change it?"

Alissa Austin, voting with her daughter Kate, said, "I am an Obama supporter. I appreciate his plan for America and I kind of see my vote not only as one for me but for my daughter too. I think economically he can really pull us out of the slump that we're in and I also really like his wife Michelle's support of military spouses."

Monica Glaze, asked who she voted for, said "Obama, definitely."

"It's time for a change. He came from poor, we're poor. We think he's going to do the country right," Glaze said.

At Manse Elementary School:

"It's our constitutional right to vote and we should take advantage of it," said Linda Culler. "In a lot of countries in the world people don't have the right to vote." When asked if she would consider running for a political office, Culler said, "I have thought about getting into politics but it does take a lot of time."

Butch Otrambo said, "People in this country have fought and died for our right to vote. The ones that don't vote don't have the right to complain. That's what I tell my friends."

Otrambo said he saw vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaking on television before he left his home to vote and agreed with her that it takes just as much or more to govern at a local level as it does at the national level. Otrambo added, "There was a president called Harry Truman and he was a shoemaker."

[Truman was actually a haberdasher.]

Jim rode into the parking lot on his Harley-Davidson and said, "I believe in the freedom the U.S.A. gives each person to make the most of our lives without over-regulation from the government. My big issue is I don't want the government in charge of my health care. I've never seen any big programs handled by the government turn out better than private industry can do.

"I have friends in Canada who come to the United States for their health needs because it takes years sometimes to schedule an operation. That's what happens when a government bureaucracy gets ahold of health care."

Dennis Watkins said, "I fought for the right to vote and almost died for trying so I am going to vote. The most important issue is the presidency. I am for McCain. John McCain fought for this country. He refused to talk about Reverend Wright. McCain has integrity and he is a man of his word. He won't let us down, just like he didn't let the men down who were in captivity with him. He can lead this country where it needs to go to solve our current problems.

When asked about local government, Al Baloqui said, "We need people to step up in Pahrump. We have the quality people here. We have retired professionals who can do more than golf six days a week. We need their expertise and leadership.

"I would also like to see our county commissioners have a platform to run on so voters would know what they are 'for' and what they are 'against'". Baloqui also said he would like to see elected officials "do what's right instead of just what's popular. Those would be real leaders."

At J.G. Johnson Elementary School:

"I am voting for McCain-Palin because they have the necessary experience," said L.R. aka Masterblaster, a security company trainer. "You couldn't become a manager of a McDonald's store in 143 days, so how is Obama qualified to be president of the U.S.A.? I think Obama is a socialist. He can't keep the promises he is making. His tax strategy is flawed and he is going to tax 5 percent of the people who are going to pass it on to us in additional costs. He is a flash in the pan."

A Wal-Mart employee said, "I am voting for McCain-Palin because I have friends who are fighting in Iraq. They want to win, not come home in defeat. They want the sacrifices their families are making while they are away to be worthwhile. I also know civilian contractors over there doing construction work. The U.S. is doing good things in Iraq. If our guys come home early and if we broadcast our plans to the world about withdrawing, we will be fighting domestic and foreign terrorists in the streets of Pahrump with nothing but knives."

Linda T., a retired teacher and principal originally from California, said, "I have a grandson in the military. I want him to have everything he needs to do his job and to be safe. I am voting for John McCain.

George T. said, "You only have to look around town to see what will happen if business taxes are raised. We were in Romero's Restaurant last night at dinner time and there were only three tables occupied. Raising taxes on anyone during this kind of economy is crazy. I'm voting the Republican ticket."