Voters' Views: Tristen Hall

The US primary season, in which the main parties select their presidential candidates, kicks off in earnest in the state of New Hampshire on 8 January.

Iowans have already stated their preferences in caucuses. Who will it be in New Hampshire? We asked six residents to tell us who they are supporting and why.

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Tristen Hall
Administrative assistant | Democrat

I'm supporting Hillary Clinton because I believe that it's going to take a person of vision and experience to solve the mess that is George Bush's legacy.

Age: 55 Lives: Hudson Occupation: Administrative assistant Last election voted: Democrat In 10 words or less: Working woman, married with three grown-up children Voters' Views: New Hampshire

"I've watched the various candidates and attended some of the town meetings that have been held here in New Hampshire. While we have many candidates giving speeches that make for great sound bites on the evening news, it takes a lot more than pretty speeches to get things done in Washington.

I'm supporting Hillary Clinton because I believe that it's going to take a person of vision and experience to solve the mess that is George Bush's legacy.

At home our economy, health care, education, immigration all have been ignored for too long, abroad the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are being mishandled. We need someone in the White House that can work in a bipartisan way to solve these problems.

I strongly believe that Hillary Clinton has the experience necessary to address these issues in a way that hearkens back to the ideals that Americans have always claimed to believe in.

Clinton can, I believe, return the US to a place of honour among nations, so that as Americans we no longer have to be embarrassed by the leadership and direction of our country."

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Look out for an update of Tristen's views after the primary.

The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider US public opinion.

Your comments:

If you want experience, I would think Richardson would be your candidate. He's experienced and adepts at solving problems. Hillary creates division and strife. You may have noticed that Richardson did a better job than Charles Gibson at keeping the New Hampshire Democratic debate on track.
Irene Heitsch, Austin, TX U.S.A.

Hillary Clinton is the only mainstream Democratic candidate that is suitable for the job of president. To me Obama and Edwards are very reminiscent of Jimmy Carter. They promise "change" and are wonderful, honest campaigners. But their lack of experience is going to harm the nation. Yes it does take experience to be president, especially considering the size of our government since the New Deal.
Pavitra Pandey, San Diego, CA

Dear Tristen i think you might be right when you say that Clinton has the experience needed which i still think is questionable, being the first lady does not give you that experience. Moreover i still believe that good judgment is more important than Experience,if experience is what it takes to change this country,Washington could have been a different place today.
Prince, USA

I too am going to vote for Hillary, I find her to be the only viable candidate who will bring both change and experience to the White House. She's been around long enough to make mistakes, and to acknowledge and learn from them.
M K, Newfields, NH

I'll be voting for anyone in the Democratic caucus here in Nevada besides Hillary. I hope we haven't come to a dynasty type of politics where we could theoretically have Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton-Bush(please not another one in 2012)
Luke, Las Vegas, NV

I will never vote for another Clinton! Hillary is a Woman candidate and not a candidate that would represent us all. Hillary would like to be the first Woman president more than a US president that is a woman. She is playing towards the Gender as a reason to get her vote.
Daniel Robert Smyth, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. USA

The whole world is drinking kool Aid ... thinking that Obama is going to be a better president than Hillary. He brags about not going into Iraq but is ready to go to war with Pakistan and Afghanistan. What is everyone thinking???? If we couldn't kick Iraqi's butt, what the heck do we think will happen in Pakistan? He's talking about another war! And not just another war...but one with nuclear weapons. Peace!
Tatiana Alvarez, New York, USA

Excellent critique by Tristen of why so many people in Washington State Support Hillary. Tristan nails it on the head!! Good luck in NH tomorrow! Go Hillary!!
Tommy, Seattle Washington

Hillary Clinton is a hard sell as someone with honor. Most of us older folks remember her wheeling and dealing in her husband's White House. She did whatever it took to keep her power. She is disingenuous and that's the nicest thing I can say about her.
barbara dimartini, st louis, MO USA

While Obama is a talented orator and his call for change is attractive to many, I am afraid that his enthusiasm will face reality and loose. Clinton has her feet on the ground, and enjoys the baking of the most capable President in recent US history. She would be unbeatable as a candidate while Obama could easily fall prey to the Republican machine.
Felipe Queiroz, Logan, UT

I urge you to look at Hillary's voting record in the Senate and you will find that she was a consistent supporter of the Bush administration policy which she is now criticizing. This is an opportunistic approach which identifies her strategy for years. She is heavily tied to corporate influence and will have great difficulty freeing herself of this power so she can serve the American citizens. Change means change. Not modified change.
Marjo Miller, Kihei HI USA