MARSHALL — Lakeview High School student Isaac Pehrson has been following the campaign trails of the 2008 presidential election.
“I’ve been doing research on issues, stances,” Pehrson said. “I really like to be actively involved in the campaign.”
But he’s still undecided as to which candidate he favors more — Barack Obama or John McCain.
As he’s learning about the political process with some 400 other boys from around the state at the 60th annual Legion Boys State convention, Pehrson, along with a few other Boys Staters, weighed in on the candidates.
“I think Barack Obama might be the better choice, but I am hesitant on deciding,” Pehrson said.
Pehrson said he tends to be more conservative in his views.
“John McCain intrigues me a lot and I respect him,” Pehrson said.
Yet, Pehrson said, he doesn’t have a firm selection either way.
And as far as national issues are concerned, Pehrson said he’s looked at gun control and gay marriage, as well as the gas tax.
“Everyone’s been following gas,” Pehrson said.
Josh Meltzer of Woodbury is very interested in the presidential campaign.
“I am happy the nomination process is over and we can move on to a general election,” Meltzer said.
Now the candidates can fully discuss the issues and see what’s going on and what needs to be changed, Meltzer said.
Meltzer said he’s leaning toward Obama.
“I personally have been raised in a liberal family,” Meltzer said.
And Meltzer disagrees with McCain’s stances on issues from military action to social issues.
“From the last eight years of Bush, we don’t need more of those policies that have torn apart our country,” Meltzer said.
Tom Sawatzke of Monticello also doesn’t favor one presidential candidate over the other.
“I think both candidates are strong,” Sawatzke said. “I really enjoy the strength of Obama’s speaking skills.”
But Sawatzke doesn’t know enough about McCain to comment.
Sawatzke said one issue he feels strongly about is education.
“That’s the main focus for me,” Sawatzke said.
Eric Moser of Russell-Tyler-Ruthton High School said he also sees the strengths of each presidential candidate.
“I really like Obama, but his policies on abortion ...I can’t go for that,” Moser said.
Moser said he likes McCain as well and doesn’t think he’ll be a lot like the current president.
“I try to keep an open mind,” Moser said.
Besides education and the No Child Left Behind act, Moser said an issue that’s important to him is health care.
“We need to overhaul that in some way,” Moser said.
