Fri, Jul 18 2008
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Published January 19, 2008 08:22 pm - Lorraine Brattin would love to have time to care about foreign affairs. But unfortunately she said she’s too busy trying to stay afloat in an uncertain economy to even think beyond her own front door. Economy stealing election spotlight By Melissa Dunson mdunson@joplinglobe.com Lorraine Brattin would love to have time to care about foreign affairs. But unfortunately she said she’s too busy trying to stay afloat in an uncertain economy to even think beyond her own front door. Brattin, a Webb City mother of five children, said the financial struggles she’s faced in the last three years have changed the way she looks at politics. After her husband was diagnosed with cancer, Brattin’s health-care costs skyrocketed and the couple lost their home to foreclosure. Her job wasn’t enough to pay the bills. As a result, Brattin said she will vote for the candidate this election that addresses her economic concerns, even if she disagrees with the rest of his or her policies. “The war in Iraq is important, but the economy is huge; it’s our future,” Brattin said. “When you’ve got five living at home, and you’re trying to put food on the table at $12 an hour, that’s your first priority.” Economy trumps Iraq Brattin’s views reflect the national trend crowning the economy as the biggest factor in choosing a candidate this election, according to several recent polls. National surveys done at the end of last year and beginning of this year by CBS News-New York Times, CNN-Opinion Research, Newsweek and Ipsos Public Affairs-Associated Press, all show the state of the economy has overtaken the war in Iraq as the most important issue for voters in 2008. Last year, most of those poll results were flip-flopped. The poll results emphasize the economy despite the Associated Press reporting 2007 was the deadliest year for U.S. troops in Iraq since the 2003 invasion. According to AP reports, 899 troops were killed during 2007. But local economic leaders said when it really comes down to it, people have always been more concerned about the immediate impact of an unstable economy than foreign affairs. “When it comes right down to it, people vote on the economy,” said Annetta St. Clair, Missouri Southern State University political science professor. “People have much less personal stake in foreign policy. After all, it’s foreign. People don’t see how it affects their daily life, while they are very aware of what they’re paying for a tank of gas.” Clarence Rice of Lamar said it’s hard to think about foreign wars since he lost his job at O’Sullivan Industries manufacturing plant six months ago. Rice said he also has training in heavy construction, but said that industry is also slowing. “If you don’t have a job, you don’t have any money to buy things, and you don’t have anything,” Rice said. “Right now, the politicians seem more concerned with fighting one another than creating jobs.” The loss of manufacturing jobs across the country is also causing a shift in political affiliations. State Rep. Ron Richard of Joplin said it’s possible Mitt Romney’s success in the Michigan primary over Sen. John McCain last week could have to do with Romney campaigning on job protection and economic reform, while McCain focused on foreign and environmental issues. A year of downs 
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Running mates could come from Missouri or Kansas w/ link to the web site, politico.com
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