Voters' Views: Jerry Amos

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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Jerry Amos
Retired | Democrat

Barack has moved against corporate lobbyist greed, in contrast to Hillary Clinton who would have us all pay "for profit insurance" for health care.

Age: 72 Lives: Hollis Occupation: Retired Last election voted: Democrat In 10 words or less: Retired large computer design engineer active in local Democrat politics Voters' Views: New Hampshire

"Barack Obama is my current top choice for US presidential primary.

We've met with him twice. Talking here in town with Tom Daschle, former Democratic Senate majority leader I agreed Barack is where we would like to take the party.

As the saying goes, all politics is local, and Barack has a solid foundation in helping real people in local neighbourhoods then building on that to an excellent grasp of legislative political process and to boot teaching US constitutional law.

Barack has moved against corporate lobbyist greed, in contrast to Hillary Clinton who would have us all pay "for profit insurance" for health care. These excessive corporate profits are a huge reason US health care costs most, with longevity and infant mortality well behind other nations.

Barack hasn't hesitated to consult Hillary herself, and there are excellent people in Congress including Joe Biden, Senate foreign relations chair. No President can govern well alone."

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Watch out for an update of Jerry'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:

Hillary is all about winning for Hillary, not about serving the country. Her teary drama was either staged, or represents a weakness not becoming of a presidential candidate. Obama seduces with his gravely deep voice, but he has few qualifications for the post, avoids taking clear stands on positions, and has a grossly non-strategic view of the world chessgame. Edwards is a limousine liberal who will spend and tax. His populist stance fails to jive with his $400 haircuts. Can't the democrats field a quality candidate for the president?
Red Miller, East St. Louis

I am a democrat, registered as an independent, in NH. My daughters, both under the age of 10, want a woman for president. And I think that Clinton is immensely capable, as well as John Edwards, who caught my attention in the last election with his straightforward lack of political doublespeak. I would love to vote for Clinton and see a woman hold the highest office, but my heart is moved every time I hear Obama speak. I feel about him the way that I felt when I voted for Gore: inspired.
Liza, Nelson NH

I am upset that Dennis Kucinich was not given a chance. In my opnion he is the only candidate who consisttntly tells the truth and his plans.He may not be as effusive as Obama but he is steadfast and will follow in the footsteps of Pres. FR.D.Roosevelt who got the country together again.
Karl J. Volk, Poughkeepsie,NY

I think the comments about Obama being all style and no substance are missing an important point - sometimes the ability to inspire people is the most important thing.
Ian, Baltimore, MD

i find it interesting that even though i agree with jerry about barack, i also completely agree with tony & scott's comments about ron paul. obama and paul seem to be the only candidates on either side who are trustworthy. imagine if bipartisan politics could be put aside and the two ran together. hey - a girl can wish!
jen, jersey city, new jersey, usa

This is a remarkable election on the Democratic side: a real African-American, a woman and a liberal Southerner are the current front-runners. Despite what some are saying about a "Clinton Dynasty", my vote is for Hillary Clinton because she is tough and direct and outstandingly intelligent and she is a good person - a real leader.
John Tomlinson, New York City, U.S.A.

I think J. Edwards is the only one who will fight big corporations to keep jobs in US. He is the only one who actualy talks about it as his prime goal. I like Obama but I am not sure he will push for change in US trade policy if corporations strogly opose it.
ZIGGY, NJ, USA

If Obama won the democratic nomination he will likely not win the presidency. I dont like Clinton but Clinton can win the presidency if she won the party nomination.
shoshana, toronto

I agree with Jerry Amos. Corporate greed and scandals are destroying North America. Barack Obama is the only candidate can win the hearts of people of all races and the world at large like Nelson Mandela to be the best US President for the next century.
Siva, Toronto, Canada

I disagree with his statement that Barrack has moved against corporate lobbyist greed in comparison to Hillary Clinton. In 2005 Obama voted for an energy bill chock full of special interest giveaways and tax breaks for oil companies, no doubt petitioned by the 'lobbyists' Barrack has sworn to cut down. Hillary did not vote for that bill in the Senate for these reasons. She has truthful actions behind her shared convictions with Barrack over cutting down corporate influence.
Lily Austin, Springfield, Pennsylvania

Good comments. As a long-time watcher of US politics, I can't help but think that an Obama/Biden ticket could be the best thing to happen to the US in a long time.
Anthony, Maidenhead, UK

Ron Paul 2008. BBC, I once respected you. I once looked to you as an alternative to US state media. But since witnessing your consistent participation in the Ron Paul media blackout, I can no longer consider you a serious news outlet. What a shame. You might as well be Murdoch's. Ron Paul raised $6 million in a day. There is a revolution going on in this country. Get a grip, start reporting.
Marianne, Somerville, MA, USA

To those of you commenters above who apparently work for the Ron Paul campaign: Why are you attacking Barack Obama here instead of helping your candidate campaign for his own [Republican] party's nomination?
Justin M., New York City, USA

Ron Paul is the only candidate who can keep the United Stats from going deeper into financial turmoil. None of the other candidates understand fiscal policy, which is why they were unable to debunk Dr Paul in the ABC debate.

It is also interesting to note that even the moderator said he could find no dirt on Ron Paul.
Scott Celiske, Minneapolis, MN USA

Barack Obama, fighting corporate greed? Since he won Iowa, corporate funding has drastically increased in the Obama camp.

We need a real candidate who is interested in every aspect of America, like Ron Paul. One who emphasizes and tries to bring back the Rights and Liberties that we as US Citizens are supposed to have, via the US constitution, like Ron Paul. There isn't another candidate out there who understands, fiscal policy, civil rights, foreign policy, environmental policy, etc.. on even a relatively similar level.

I for one want to vote for someone with intelligence and integrity, instead of just someone with a nice smile, a name, and a handful of charisma.
Tony, Grand Rapids, Michigan