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Ron Huebner, 72, Sarasota, marketing and sales executiveRon Huebner, SarasotaHuebner says he voted for Santorum: "Months ago, I highly favored Mitt Romney and then for a little while I liked Newt Gingrich. But the last month, Newt and Mitt have gotten into such a visceral attack, negative against each other, and I'm just turned off by that kind of banter ... They're really destroying the Republican Party."
Steve Weisbrodt, 49, ranch owner, VeniceSteve Weisbrodt"I voted for the best candidate. I looked for the one with the most experience and that obviously is Newt (Gingrich). It was tiring hearing the candidates bashing each other all the time."
Jeff Rhodes, 56, sales, VeniceJeff Rhodes"I voted for Gingrich. I like the things he has been saying and I like what he did in Congress. Gingrich is more conservative than Romney; it's hard to determine what Romney is for. I am not at all bothered by Gingrich's experience in Congress. Sometimes it is necessary to stand up and fight for what you believe in."
Karen Potts, 65, retired business systems analyst , SarasotaKaren PottsVoted for Ron Paul. "I've been following my candidate since 2008. I just think everyone else is business as usual. We can't keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. He's never accepted money from lobbyists. Never. The lobbyists hate him. He's kind of like the little black sheep of Congress."
Casey Hamill, 41, Sarasota, waitressCasey Hamill"I voted for Santorum because the other two are bickering among each other so much. I appreciate what Santorum stands for. He's got that beautiful little daughter with a terrible illness. I just think he has a little better focus. I don't think he's going to be the kind of person who is going to have dirt come up in four years."
Jim Fewell, 75, Manatee County, retiredJim FewellVoted for Mitt Romney: "I think he's the smartest man running. I think he can do a good job, and he can defeat Barack Obama, which we desperately need to do."
Gordon Thorpe, 84, Sarasota, retiredGordon ThorpeVoted for Romney. "He's the best candidate," Thorpe said of Mitt Romney. "I eliminated the other guys -- too many liars. He's the one I ended up with."
Phyllis Griffith, 79, Sarasota, retiredPhyllis GriffithVoted for Rick Santorum: "He seems the most moderate. He is conservative; he's not a zealot, and Gingrich and Romney I'm not at all impressed with. Romney seems elitist to me, and Newt Gingrich I have absolutely no trust in him at all."
Barbara Morley, Nokomis, RealtorBarbara Morley"Without a doubt, the economy and the debt are the biggest issues. I voted with conviction today for Mitt Romney. He's a moderate, I believe. He's the best qualified with his managerial background and his stand on public policy issues."
Leroy Hardin, 61, Nokomis, retired.Leroy HardinWouldn't say who he voted for. "I wasn't proud of any candidate; I don't think any of them on the ballot have any connection with regular people. I guess you could say I voted for the lesser of the evils. I figure if I don't vote, I can't complain. I'm scared for our children and our grandchildren."
Jay Leland, Osprey, plumberJay Leland"(The campaign ads) affected me in a stomach-turning way. It's too bad the SuperPACS just lay into these people and bring up the most horrible stuff. They can exaggerate and even lie about the candidates. (He voted for Romney because) he might a moderate and less polarizing figure."
Bobbi Balzano, Nokomis, homemakerBobbi BalzanoShe voted for Gingrich "because I'm going with my heart. Everyone's done something wrong in life, we all make mistakes, but we can also turn our lives around. I don't like the name-calling in the ads and the way they demean each other. I'd rather hear about the vision they have, and I think (Gingrich) has what it takes to make our country better and lower our debt."
Doris Dittmer, 79, Nokomis, retiredDoris DittmerVoted for Romney. "The man certainly has money, and whenever someone has a lot of money there are going to be questions asked about how he made it. But I think Romney represents a more moral view of the world and I appreciate his loyalty."
Herald Walmer, 80, Sarasota, retiredHerald Walmer"I'm going to vote for Newt Gingrich," Walmer said. "I think Romney's a fast guy, a fast traveler. Hey, I'm 80 years old, and I have been voting for years and years."
Jack McAllister, SarasotaJack McAllisterVoted for Newt Gingrich. "I think he's the most electable candidate, and he has the most experience," McAllister said. "I think he's in touch with middle America."
Hadley Young, 82, Lakewood Ranch, retired physicianHadley YoungYoung voted for Mitt Romney "Each one of the candidates has some positives and some baggage. Mainly, I think it is about who is electable. Romney has got a better chance. He has a more presidential presence than the rest of them. Gingrich is a bright guy, but I hear he has some off-the-wall ideas."
Roger Hruby, 56, Bradenton, owner of an agricultural businessRoger Hruby"We need better economic conditions, we need the government off everyone's backs and we need to purge the government so people can live life and run their businesses," Hruby said. "I voted for Rick Santorum because I think he's the only true conservative. He's a sharp guy."
Martin Basye, 76, and Watheena Basye, 71 Hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, now live in Braden Woods, retiredMartin and Watheena BasyeThe couple voted for Mitt Romney. "We've got to get that man out of the White House. He's made our country an absolute disaster, so much so he's making Jimmy Carter look good," said Martin Basye. "I voted for Romney because he is a businessman and he draws more money. It's a sad commentary on our government system, but more money usually means a better chance." "If I thought he could get the backing, I would have voted for Santorum," said Watheena Basye. "He seems like a nice man with good conservative views."
Stan Garrison, 53, and Terry Garrison, 50, Manatee CountyStan and Terry GarrisonBoth voted for Newt Gingrich. Stan: "He's more of the conservative. I think Romney's ideas are closer to Obama's than Newt's. We both feel he's a better debater." Terry: "I like what he stands for. I think he is a true American and wants to bring this country back to what we stand for and the Constitution. He's very smart, and he'll run circles around Obama in a debate. Regardless of his mistakes in the past, he's not a perfect person, none of us are."
Mumir Kakish, 64, Sarasota, retiredMumir Kakish"I like Ron Paul," Kakish said. "He is himself, really. He does not try to please any minority or anything. He is for America. He doesn't care about the outside world."
Larry Cote, 79, and Ellie Cote, 72, Manatee County, retiredLarry and Ellie CoteThey voted for Mitt Romney. Larry: "There's a stability and an honesty, and he is a man of character we need as presid
Ron Johnson, 66, and Ann Johnson, 69 Bradenton RetiredRon and Ann JohnsonThe Johnsons both voted for Mitt Romney. "Not only do we need somebody who can beat Obama, we need somebody with business experience and integrity and the ability to lead this free world," said Ron Johnson. "I don't like Newt Gingrich because of the ethics violations that happened in D.C.," said Ann Johnson. "He started out being dirty. Why should we believe he's any different?"
Pamela Weisbrodt, 45, owner of medical practice and ranch, VenicePamela Weisbrodt"I needed to think about the best one to support us as physicians. Everytime it hits the physicians, it hits everyone as a whole. I voted for Newt; he's the one to beat Obama. I wish some of the candidates would step aside."
Michelle Walmsley, 33, Manatee CountyMichelle WalmsleyVoted for Rick Santorum: "I think he can beat Obama, and he has good values. He has seven children, and he has a special needs child, so I know he can relate to families. He can relate to regular people."
Donald Graves, 80, Manatee County, retiredDonald GravesVoted for Mitt Romney: "I thought he's the only one who can beat Obama. I think Obama is ruining the country."
Rethal Conkle, 69, retiredRethal Conkle"We need someone who can work with Congress and the Senate. The economy is the number one issue. I have a daughter who just got a degree in education and she cannot find a job. If there are jobs, that is going to boost everything. I weighed the decision for awhile on who to vote for. I am a registered Republican but very independent. I veered toward Romney when I was thinking about who could beat Obama, but I voted for Rick Santorum. I'd like to see him up there as v.p."
Arnold Yoskowitz, 64, retired New York real estate developerArnold Yoskowitz"I voted for Newt Gingrich, who is being slimed. I'm looking for somebody with a bold vision for what America can be ... The only one who can get it through Congress and achieve those ideas is Newt Gingrich. He's an outsider who's been on the inside and knows how to get things done. And as you can see from this campaign, he is not part of the establishment."
Voice of the voters: See who local Republicans voted for, and why
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I voted for Romney because of his business background. My concern with him is Obama care. That being that he has never said he would repeal it and work at the real problem which is cost. I feel sometimes like he is more of a blue dog Democrat than a Republican. I hope I’m wrong about him. This wild spending has got to stop.
Newt has the meaner to get things done but keeps taking the cheap shots which I’m tired of. He knows how Washington works but I’m concerned about his arrogant getting into the way of common sense. We already have one of those in office now.
Ron Paul has a lot of good points but some extreme ones also. Plus I’m concerned about his age.
The others just don’t hit me as President material. I know of better choices we could have had. It to bad we can’t melt all of them together.
VOTED FOR RON PAUL BECAUSE HE IS A 12 TERM CONGRESSMAN
BECAUSE OF HIS PRINCIPLES, HE IS AN EXPERT IN ECONOMICS, PREDICTED THE CURRENT ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IN 2003,
HE WANTS TO PHASE OUT THE IRS, END THE INCOME TAX, BRING THE TROOPS HOME, END FOREIGN WARS, END THE FED, STOP FOREIGN AID, SECURE OUR BORDERS, FIX HEALTH CARE, REPEAL PATRIOT ACT, RETURN POWER TO THE STATES, BALANCE THE BUDGET,
HE ALSO STATED THAT IF HE WINS HE WILL TAKE A YEARLY SALARY OF $39,336, EQUAL TO THE AVERAGE US WORKERS SALARY. I HAVE RESEARCHED ALL THE CANDIDATES AND BY FAR HE IS THE BEST ONE. RON PAUL 2012
I voted for Mitt Romney because I beileve that he is the only hope we have beating Obama and restoring the founding principals of this country.
I’m a registered Republican (so I can vote in the county commission primaries) but I consider myself moderate Democrat at heart. I voted for Romney because he’s the most moderate of the bunch and I see him as the lesser of the Republican evils in this primary race. That said, I’ll be voting for Obama in November.
Does it really matter which candidate my husband and I voted for? All we want is that socialist, muslim, liberal, antichrist and his family out of the White House as soon as possible, so that we can once again regain our proud american morals and country back again.
My question is to the American people? Does any remember September 11, 2001? Does anyone care? My husband and I certainly do and will never forget, though it seems as though a lot of Americans have. Wake up America!!
God bless everyone and their families. (Oh, I am not suppose to say that, am I?)
It seems that everyone forgets who is really in charge and who we have to ultimately answer to at the end of days.
Rick, it sounds like you literally want to bring Washington and Jefferson back from the dead . . .
Sorry I’m a Democrat, and couldn’t vote. But Newt’s next try could be “mayor” of the moon?
Blue Dog Democrat here: Romney is fine with me – the only critical thinker in the whole lot.
I’ll still support Obama, but policy wise it’s hard to see where there is much of a difference on what they would actually do in office.
Romney’s win means America has survived that brief brush with tea party nihilists.
Good job rational republicans – I salute you.
I am so disappointed. Mitt Romney cannot be trusted and will be nothing more than another Obama nightmare except for the fact that now Republicans will be blamed. The fact that even Demcrats like him ….. Enough said!!!!!!!
Voting for Obama in November would be the biggest mistake this country could do, Wake up America!! after spending over 5 trillion dollars in less then four years and giving 3 company almost 800 million dollars which went bankrupt. We CAN NOT effort 4 more years, unemployment is at the hightest its every been and the national debt is growing and he wants to raise the ceiling so he can spend more money in the next 11 months that he has left in the white house….
Actually, Republican Voter, the unemployment rate under Reagan went from 7.6% to 9.7-9.8% in the summer after his inaugural, and remained at that level for two years, before it began to decline in the summer of 1983. Just saying. And when we look at debt, we have to look at GDP. And we also have to look at what constitutes good debt (investment in infrastructure, science and technology, culture, taking care of our military when they return home (not necessarily on defense contractors bulk) and bad debt (government waste on bought/paid for congressman pet projects aka bridge to nowhere). If the US can’t increase revenues, we can’t cut our way to prosperity. We need a balanced approach that won’t put all the burden on those who need support the most during the most difficult times. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, whether it’s Obama or Romney in 2012, that our elected officials act like adults, work together with a fair minded balance to solving our nations problems, and quit drawing lines in the sand and holding their breath till they turn blue? Democrat or Republican, I think we can all agree…this has got to stop!
Hmm, that comment is a total swing and a miss. “that socialist, muslim, liberal, antichrist and his family”.
He’s not a Nazi so no socialist.
He’s a christian and has preached his own sermons for Christ so not a Muslim.
He went after Kahadaffi without wasting American lives and all our resources and he killed Bin Laden with team 6 when all his advisers said not to and stayed to the plan for final withdrawal from Iraq , so he’s hardly Liberal.
He’s a Center Right. Heck most of his proposals were considered Republican only a decade ago.
And finally Anti-Christ? Only a nut bag thinks the President is the Anti-Christ.
That is the Conservative’s problem. You hear 24/7 Fox bomb throwing, AM Radio, Glenn Beckian thinking. It leaves one no where to go but into misery. So one has to invent problems. The reason America’s economy blew up is all Obama’s fault? Well, him and his time machine that took him back to Bush’s terms. Bush’s tax cuts and slashing of the richest rich man’s capital gains tax rate has beggared the country, increased the debt and is failing to provide for our Military returning from combat.
Got a real kick out of Barbara Hanson above. Proof for certain that within our species, certain of us can trace heritage via the “Phylogenetic Tree”…….directly back to a “toaster”.
I voted for Newt because I believe he is the only one of the four that can debate Obama. Newt is smart and he doesn’t need a teleprompter to recall memory. The negative ad’s did not effect my judgement because what Romney said is false concerning Newts term and ousting. I believd that negative advertising and bashing each other and there should be rules against it.
If Romney makes it all the way, I will vote for him because Obama must go. He has torn our country apart from the seams and defecated on our moral principles. I hope the judges find that he can’t be on state ballets due to elligibility issues. Obama has stolen the American dream and made our country unsafe.
IT’S FAR FROM OVER. FLORIDA MEANS NOTHING HERE AND THAT IS WHY RON PAUL DID NOT WASTE HIS MONEY CAMPAIGNING HERE. HE HAS A FAR BETTER CHANCE IN THE UP-COMING STATES.
I am Republican and a Christian voted for Newt! His views are what this country needs, no teleprompter for him, it is all in his head a very smart man. He would crush Obama in a Debate. I didn’t hear Romney mention about how God, and Morals are being stripped from this country under Obama(that is important). Romney flip flops on alot of issues, How about the book he put out and talked about his Health care being good even for the whole country, and then later when it came out in paper back that sentence was gone?? How can he ever debate Health Care issue with Obama? So sorry the Tea Party had fog over their eyes, or Newt would have won.
If you first favored Bachmann, then favored Perry, then favored Romney, then favored Gingrich, you might be taking TOO much of your information from the media.
Who is making the choice here? The media? or the People? Do your research folks:
Newt and Santorum are not on the ballot in 7 states totaling 564 delegates. Neither of them can even WIN the 1144 needed for the GOP nomination. Look it up because the media WONT be reporting it, the information is there is you seek it out!
This is a 2 man race: Romney and Paul. It comes down to the delegates.
You can choose Mitt Romney, who is Obama lite, same policies,same funding or you can choose a REAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE Ron Paul, who will turn this country around. A vote for Gingrich or Santorum here was just a wasted vote. How does it feel to have been outsmarted by your television?
Romney and Paul are the only 2 who poll well enough against Obama to beat him and Ron Paul will soundly beat Obama because Romney cannot pull from Obama’s base, Ron Paul can and DOES. Blue Republicans, something else you should LOOK UP.
Please people, step away from the mainstream media and do some research on your own, or you all deserve what happens when either Romney or Obama are in office.
Ron Paul 2012
Ron Paul. Peace and prosperity over war and poverty.
I’m one of those “moderate” Republicans. I voted for Mitt. I love Ron Paul, I like Newt because he is interesting, I never liked the others much. I think Buddy Roehmer is the most honest of all those running.
I voted for Mitt because I think is the the best man – best human being. He has had business success, made a lot of money and that’s OK. He says whatever he thinks he needs to say to get the right wing of our party to vote for him. Newt is right, however, I think he is a moderate republican.
The trouble with being a right wing nut is that you will never get elected. I don’t think anything will change, as Buddy Roehmer says, until we clean up the money and influence peddling in Washington. So we can get angry, drink the Tea, inveigh against leftists and moderates but nothing will change until we change the money culture in Washington. Republican or democrat, it’s the money that drives politics in this country. Sad but true. My suggestion: limit all federal elected offices to one term – four years for congressmen, six years for Senators, eight years for the President. If it turns out we don’t like them, RECALL.
I am sick and tired of what is happening to my country. The only logical choice is Ron Paul. If only the public would pay attention and stop being so afraid of meaningful change.
To all those people who think Obama has ruined the country I have to ask “Where have you been for the past 30 years?”. This problem has been a long time coming.
I did not note vote at all….
Just look at what they gave us to choose from.
One’s a serial liar; another wild and crazy; a good family man who is not up to the job; and Ron Paul.
If I was forced to vote I would have voted for Ron Paul because at least I would know what I was going to get
A read of the above mail quickly reveals why this country is in such trouble- i.e. a voting public of ignorant, racist, bigots – I suspect that no ballot will satisfy your hatred of intelligence, science and tolerance!
Amen, Tom. Amen.
Let me add I have to laugh at all the people who are looking for the “most conservative” candidate, as if conservativism is something good. If conservatives ruled this country entirely over the last 200+ years, we wouldn’t have had an American Revolution, universal male suffrage, an end to government-sanctioned human enslavement, laws against child labor, a minimum wage, women’s suffrage, antitrust laws, social security, consumer rights, protection against environmental degradation and threats to human health, food safety laws, clean water preservation laws and–yes–universal access to health care. The liberals of their times were the driving force behind these life improvements. Conservatives have been on the wrong side of most issues for decades if not centuries. Theirs is the politics of fear, avarice, negativity and intolerance–something aptly demonstrated not only by comments filed here, but also fully on display by the two main protagonists in the ad nauseum debates. It is conservative policies and principles, aided by liberals all too willing to adopt or at least concede to conservative policies and principles, that have put us where we are today. The problem isn’t that Obama isn’t conservative enough; it’s that he’s not liberal enough. Turn off the lazy, pavlovian conservative-soaked media, open your eyes and use your brains, Republican voter.
I voted for Paul. He’s the only one who understands that the Constitution is the only cure for our ailing country. I could not vote for Romney- because he is a flip-flopping liberal, Newt is Mr. globalist one world order man. His writings in the forward of the Tofler book scare the s— out of me.
I could never forgiving Santorum for supporting Arlene Spector over Pat Toomey in the Pennsylvania senate race a couple of years ago. All but Paul are Aipac stooges who will not stop until we are dropping bombs on one Arab country or another. Just say no to the New World Order crowd and vote for Paul. We might just prevent our kids from living in third world conditions.
Wow- what a diverse group of Republican voters. And that is what is wrong with their party – not representative of what America really is about.