In the Voting Line

Reporter’s note: While waiting in line this past Saturday, to vote in the Republican primary, I decided to take pen to pad and interview a number of voters about their candidate choices and impressions without a slant toward any of the particular candidates. All seven are Daniel Island residents. Here’s what they had to say. (The Democratic Primary will be held this Saturday, February 27.)

Kay Leigh
“I’m still debating. My husband says Trump but I can’t stand him . . . I’m deciding between Rubio and Bush.” Asked about Bush, she said: “You want to vote for him,” but “you also want to vote” for the person “who you think can win.”

Marlo and Travis Greene
Marlo: “I think [Rubio] can win, can beat Hillary, or whoever the Democrats” nominate. Asked about Trump, Marlo said: “I can’t vote for him, I think he’s crude.” Said Travis: “I normally decide way ahead” on who I’m going to vote for, but “I’m still deciding” between Rubio and Trump. Thoughts about Trump? Said Travis: “I love what he says, but don’t think he can win the election.” Asked who they would vote for without regard to electability, both Marlo and Travis said they would vote for Ben Carson.

Randy Wheeler
Wheeler said his vote is for Jeb Bush, explaining: “He has the best resume . . . and is trustworthy.” Asked why he thought Bush wasn’t faring better, he said: “It’s because of his name, and the ‘fatigue’ voters have around the Bush legacy.” Thoughts on the other candidates: Trump? “He’s a buffoon.” Cruz? “I like a lot of things that he has to say,” but didn’t appreciate the remarks on Snowden. Wheeler pointed out that neither Cruz nor Rubio has completed a single Senate term (similar to Obama) and he doesn’t think that’s right.

Mark Hafner
He’s voting for Rubio because “we have to win in November . . . and [Rubio] has a better shot.” Anything about Rubio that makes you pause? “Yes, immigration.” Asked about Bush, Hafner said: If his last name wasn’t Bush” he would be doing better. “We can’t have another Bush.”

Couple (chose not to share their name)
The wife: “I’m going to close my eyes and pick someone . . . anybody but Trump.”
The husband: “I think they’re all crazy,” he then echoed, “anybody by Trump.”