Many Ohio Dems Won't Vote For Obama

Many Youngstown, Ohio attendees at a Biden speech event held at a local industrial park last Wednesday, do not support him or the president.

Bob McClain and his wife, Myra, came to M7 Technologies to support their friends' family business. Neither supports the Obama-Biden ticket.

"We are friends of the owners -- that is why we came, to show support for the Garvey family," said Bob.

 At 71, he volunteers full-time as a counselor for Mahoning Valley small-business owners.

 "Our vote is going for who is best to lead on the economy. That is Romney, for us," said Myra as her husband nodded.

Richard Furillo stood with his son Matthew at his son's workplace; a lifelong Democrat, he voted for Obama in 2008 but won't again.

"I don't know why I did it but I cannot stand any more 'change,'" he said

Father and son both said they attended the event to support the company.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a sitting vice president," added Matthew, also a Democrat. He, too, said he will vote for Romney.

Jeff Cunningham echoed their sentiments:

"The biggest challenge in this country is creating jobs that last, jobs that sustain families." The 36-year-old Mahoning Valley native said he will vote for Romney.

Montgomery "Monty" Deruyter  says uncertainty drives him to favor Romney.

"I hold both parties at arm's length but trust Romney's business skills to lead on the economy," he said.

These were just six of more than a score of people interviewed who said they will not vote for Obama in November.

Even those faithful to Obama voiced discontent and worry that some in their community have no reason to vote for the president next fall.

Joe Louis Teague, 70, a black community icon, is in charge of coordinating the Obama campaign's voter registration in the Mahoning Valley.

 He is worried about the black vote because "people are discouraged."

Black-on-black crime is out of control; drugs and poor parenting are at the heart of that problem, he said.

"I am going to be honest, I think he could have done more," he said of the first black president's attention to the black community. "I think he needs to do more."

Last week's Quinnipiac poll showed Obama's advantage over Romney in the Buckeye State at only 1 percentage point.
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