Locals express indifference, muted praise for Romney VP pick | News

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) – Once the initial news broke, local
Republicans and Democrats got their chance to discuss Mitt Romney's choice for
a running mate.

The vast majority of voters that spoke to Region 8 News this
weekend about Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin being named as the GOP's vice
presidential candidate expressed anything but excitement.

Romney supporters greeted Ryan with great fanfare at the
unveiling in Norfolk, Va. Almost a thousand miles away Jonesboro voters seemed
less enthused.

"I'm glad that he did go ahead and pick his running mate,"
Felicia Johnson of Jonesboro said, "so that we can get this campaign on the
road. I am ready for November to come and go."

Johnson plans to vote for President Obama in November, but
she says the prolonged campaign has induced fatigue.

"It's been what, a year and a half of campaigning,
elections, mudslinging, the economy and the housing market," Johnson said, "and
I'm ready to see who's going to get in office and see what they have planned
for us."

The Republicans may not be able to sway Johnson, but some
voters say Paul's position on the House budget committee could bring the focus
back onto the economy.

"By picking Ryan, (Romney) chose someone who does a lot with
budgeting and money and stuff," said Sharanda Crews, an ASU student who studies
political science, "so he's like, ‘I'm trying to save the economy. I'm going to
pick the guy who's doing a lot of stuff with the budgets and that kind of
thing.'"

Crews says she would probably vote for Romney if election
was held right now. Crews echoed other local voters' concerns, saying she can hardly
call herself a fan of either candidate.

"I don't really like Obama, but I don't really like Romney
either," Crews explained. "So, I'm like I don't know who to vote for. Do I want
four more years (of Obama), or do I want to give Romney a chance?"

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