Obama's Speech Lures Some Fence-Sitters

[Thrill]

Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Barack Obama's speech last night left Janell Mader, a 32-year-old lifelong Republican, ``a little overwhelmed'' -- and likely to vote for him in November.


``All of the concerns or questions that I had have been answered,'' Mader, a homemaker from York, Pennsylvania, said of Illinois Senator Obama, 47, the Democratic presidential candidate. ``John McCain's going to have to do something pretty incredible next week for me to be convinced that the Republican Party deserves another four years.''

Mader was one of a dozen undecided voters from across the U.S. who discussed their impressions both before and immediately after Obama accepted his party's nomination at Invesco Field in Denver on the closing night of the Democratic National Convention.

Some of these persuadable voters had been leaning toward Obama and others were leaning toward the Republican candidate, Arizona Senator McCain, 72. Many said they were impressed by the address. While some of the voters said the first part of Obama's speech was short on specifics, he ultimately allayed their concerns, and most had a positive view of the convention.

At 77, Elizabeth Roszel has never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate, though she is considering backing Obama this year.

`Very Good Case'

The Democrat ``has a very good case and I'm feeling very positive about him,'' said Roszel, who lives in Philpot, Kentucky. ``Now, I have to hear the Republicans,'' who are scheduled to gather next week in St. Paul, Minnesota.

He made his case, said Kathryn Martin, a 64-year-old registered nurse from Miami Lakes, Florida, who voted for Senator Hillary Clinton, 60, in the Democratic primary.

``I'm sold,'' Martin said. ``I think we're ready for him.''

Afterwards, Walker said he remains undecided.

``It was an excellent speech,'' he said. ``But I really wanted him to nail down what he's going to do about the issues he's running on.''

Berna Burmley, a 56-year-old Democrat from Rush Springs, Oklahoma, said that while she was unable to watch the speech last night, what she saw of the first three days of the convention made her more likely to vote for Obama.

Tax Cuts

``It's leaning me more towards Obama,'' said Burmley, a retired clothing-store owner, citing his proposals for tax cuts for lower-income people, alternative energy and withdrawing from Iraq.

After the speeches, in which both Clintons threw their support behind the nominee, Mattingly decided to vote for Obama.

``It's a combination of what Hillary said and what Bill said, and I think Obama's team has given them a lot of respect during this convention so, yes, I'm going to be in that camp now,'' Mattingly said.

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