Text size:

ELECTION 2008: The presidential debate: What YOU think

Interviews and photos by Kenny Porpora and Arielle Brechisci

September 28, 2008

Did Friday night's debate leave you more confident or less confident that one of these candidates will inherit the nation's financial mess? Which of the candidates stated his case the best - and why?

Jessica Smith, 25, of St. James, assistant golf pro

"Neither

candidate said much last night about the economy to persuade me either way, but I think from McCain's life experiences I feel more comfortable with him. But I didn't think he was spectacular last night."

Guy Caligiuri, 50, of St. James, co-owner of Patio Pizza in St. James

"I really don't believe either candidate is prepared to handle the economic crisis. It's not a Democrat or Republican thing; it's a national problem. McCain did touch on Wall Street greed, excessive spending and reducing compensation for executives. ... They should have Henry Paulson and Warren Buffett debate the pros and cons of a bailout."

Gina Yilmaz, 50, of Middle Island, bus driver and owner of Ice Affair, an ice cream shop in Islip Terrace

"None of them is [better qualified]. Last night McCain leaned more on Iraq and Obama doesn't have any economic background. A country like America is a lot to handle. ... Being president is one thing, but right now the economy is No. 1."

Alex Cummings, 49, of Cedarhurst, carpenter

"The debate made me more confident in Obama, less confident in McCain. McCain's part of the problem. Obama's relatively new to the scene. He can't be half as corrupt as most of the guys in Washington. Years ago, I used to be a fan of McCain, but he caved in to Bush and all his cronies. McCain kept trying to bust Obama down, but Obama held his ground."

Mahmood Pournazari, 47, of Queens, professor at Nassau Community College

"McCain is the guy. He has more experience and he seems more honest to me. The debate last night was more of a draw, but when it comes to the financial crisis, McCain had solutions and Obama didn't. McCain mentioned solutions; Obama mentioned the problems.

Melissa Mutluisik, 23, of Holbrook, store manager of Steve Madden in the Smith Haven Mall

"It doesn't look like they're going to be able to fix anything. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer."

Ed Watala, 65, of Wantagh, retired processing engineer for Sperry

"Neither one is qualified. They're both inept in one way or the other. In my opinion, the country's going in the wrong direction. Last night, Obama seemed to make a better case on the financial problems, but he's just not a proven person."

Dahra Miller, 26, of Jamaica, Queens, homemaker

"It [the debate] solidified for me that McCain's not too good, like he didn't have a plan. Obama made a better case because McCain's plan to put a complete freeze on spending is ridiculous. And being pregnant, Obama's plans for spending on early childhood education is important to me."