Debate viewers’ grades prove mere tables apart

Alicia Robinson

In Orange County, the undecided voter, that elusive species so much

in the media of late, appears to be extinct.

A diverse collection of possible voters gathered Wednesday night

at Karl Strauss Brewery in Costa Mesa, and a few of them were

actually watching the presidential debate.

Among the watchers were four campaign staffers for Republican U.S.

Senate candidate Bill Jones. Not surprisingly, they were strongly in

favor of President Bush.

“I think, clearly, with this debate Bush is stronger with the

issues,” said Danita Ng, 22, of Montebello. “[Democratic candidate

John] Kerry, he says a lot of generalities that sound pretty good,

but he doesn’t have any practical plans to implement his

suggestions.”

In all the debates, Bush has shown himself to be a

straightforward, passionate person while Kerry comes off as “a

typical trial lawyer” with canned answers, said Christina Elgorriaga,

26, of Madera.

At the table next to Bill Jones’ crew, views were opposite.

“It seems to me that Kerry’s plans might not be fully described,

but he clearly has a plan,” said Faris George, 40, who stopped in

from Fountain Valley to watch the debate with two friends. “It almost

seems like [Bush’s] responses are non sequiturs. They don’t go

anywhere.”

The standard for Bush’s performance in the debates has been set

low, so if he does even moderately well, people consider it a tie,

George said.

Ruben Jiminez, 31, of Costa Mesa, said he already knows the

candidates’ positions on the issues, so the debates are more of a

study in style and strategy for him.

Kerry has proven stronger at explaining his stances on issues,

while Bush has done well in the more interactive town hall setting,

he said.

“It’s almost a likability factor at this point,” Jiminez said.

“You’d want George Bush to come to your barbecue. You’d want Kerry to

plan your barbecue.”

Out on the restaurant’s patio, the debate was on television but

wasn’t drawing the attention of the several dozen Pepperdine

University alumni gathered.

“They don’t include my candidate, so that’s why I don’t watch,”

said Richmond Westlake, 52, of Costa Mesa, who added that he’s a

Libertarian.

“The Libertarian Party has a lot to offer,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it just doesn’t get the message out.”

His friend, Carl Hungerford, 43, of Mission Viejo, noted that none

of their group was watching the debate for what he thought was good

reason.

“The rhetoric all seems a little pointless,” Hungerford said. “I

don’t think I’ll get anything of substance from the debates.”

All the voters were adamant that they plan to vote -- one said she

mailed her absentee ballot in Wednesday -- but no one said the

debates had any influence on how they’ll vote.

Yet, they still thought the debates serve an important function.

“I would say absolutely, I think it’s important for there to be a

forum where voters listen to both candidates,” said Magda El-Tobgui,

33, of Costa Mesa. “I also think it’s a good exercise for the

candidates themselves to prepare and present their points of view.”

* ALICIA ROBINSON covers business, politics and the environment.

She may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

[email protected].