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Article published Oct 1, 2004
Candidates have tough critics in Spartanburg
ALEXANDER MORRISON
and JASON SPENCER
Staff
Writers
John Kerry's toughest Upstate critics could be a small but
energetic crowd of college girls who have yet to vote in their first
presidential election.Raised windows late Thursday at times allowed the cheers
and jeers of Converse College's youngest Republicans to echo out through the
campus. Soda, cookies, chips and salsa were readily available inside an
on-campus dormitory. But the would-be pundits were hungry for something
else."Tell us, please!" 18-year-old Niki Ballentine of Pickens said sternly to
the television, tuned to Fox News and sitting squarely on a stand decorated with
red, white and blue streamers.Kerry had just said he had a plan. She wanted to
know what that was. And she wasn't alone. These girls were as vicious as the
oldest party faithful."I get sick of people skirting around questions,"
Ballentine said later as an aside.The 50-or-so girls, some in pajamas, others
taking notes, were quick to point out what they perceived as Kerry's
shortcomings, or President Bush's achievements. Many said that living through
9-11 has shaped their political views."John Kerry's first answer … He said he
had a plan six times, yet he never delineated that," said Valerie Dowling, 19,
of Columbia. "I just haven't been impressed."Admittedly, many of the Converse
girls already had their minds made up before Thursday's presidential debate
began. That was the case across town, too.Just keep in mind that it's not always
easy to be a Democrat in Spartanburg.But the Spartanburg Democrats -- the 20 who
showed up for a gathering at the Miyako Sushi Group -- were happy to follow the
donkey Thursday night.Many were nervous during introductions, noting that Bush
had never lost a debate, though their mood quickly improved as they listened to
Kerry speak about Iraq."He shows real depth and insight and understanding of
what needs to be done," Tom Johnson said.The sushi crowd ridiculed Bush at every
turn. The Democrats laughed gleefully as he occasionally stumbled over
words."Poland in Iraq? That's like bring your daughter to work day," Bennett
Marshall quipped in response to Bush's point that Kerry had left Poland off a
list of American allies.When Kerry ended his closing statement it was to
confident applause. Everyone in the room believed he had won the debate and won
handily."It's amazing to me that Bush can lead this country when he can't form a
complete sentence," said David Stokes, a computer systems administrator.Nora
Nassri and Sharon Starling, first-year students at Converse College, were at the
sushi bar, too. They bragged about their T-shirts: "John Kerry is hot" and "John
Edwards rocks my world."Back at the school, Bethany Nichols had on a political
T-shirt, too: "Future president." Nichols heads the College Republicans group at
Converse."The president is resolute," the 21-year-old said. "He's not going to
get out of Iraq until he feels Iraq is ready. Just now, Kerry said this is the
wrong war at the wrong time. But … so much of our country is invested in Iraq.
It would be hard for him to pull out, too."Alexander Morrison can be reached at
562-7215 or alex.Morrison@shj.com.Jason Spencer can be reached at 562-7214 or
jason.spencer@shj.com.