What Does San Jose and Fresno Think of the 2008 Elections?
Writing by Fresno Know Writers // Video by Mojo

Its Not About Race, Its About Capability
Angelina, 15

I am asked “how do you feel about the presidential race?” Well I don't really know how I feel. First thing's first. I'm really surprised and amazed that a Black guy is running for president and also a woman. Being black or white doesn't really matter because what really matters is the person's capability. Black people and women have come a long now and I would be happy if either one wins. The race or the sex of somebody can't judge who or what a person stands for. Obama being black doesn't really matter to me, it's just that his actions will matter. As for Hillary, being a woman and being up there is cool, but will she be able to lead us to victory, same goes for Obama? It's cool that Obama being Black and Hillary being a woman are both running for president. But to answer the question I was asked, it doesn't matter if you are colored or white. It doesn't matter if you are a male or female. Everyone is equal!

A President Have to Tell the Truth
Anna, 16

Qualities that make a good president are honesty and faithfulness. To be a president in my opinion is like if you were in a relationship. There has to be honesty and faithfulness. A president has to tell the truth to the voters, to us. When they say they are going to change this and that, they should keep the promise. They should make promises they can keep. So if they win they would win fair and not with lies. To me it takes a good, honest, trustworthy and faithful person to become president.

Do It For the People
Arena, 16

I think a good leader would need to be ambitious, someone who knows what they want to do, need to do, and how to do it. A good leader needs their priorities straight. A good leader should not just talk but a good leader should take their words and turn it into actions. They should not make promises they can't keep. They should be wise and careful about their decisions. They should consult people before making decisions. A good leader should really learn how to be patient. If they were to make decisions without consulting others, or when they are being “hot headed” then it might not be the best decision for everybody. A good leader should take the time to listen. If they don't listen, then how will they know what people will want and need? They should know that they are representing the people and they should at least try to listen to us. If it wasn't for the people, then they wouldn't even be leading the country.

Bull by the Horns
Chanda, 18

I really don't care what race or gender our next president is because it is how they will run things. I believe we should elect a new president by how they will handle the situations that we are going through right now. There is an old saying about leaders, and it goes like this, to be a great leader, you have to know how to take the bull/problem by the horns.

Just a Popularity Contest
Gracie, 15

The presidential race is just a popularity contest. Out of the many people I've talked to who are Democrats, they are playing the favorite card. Men/women who are African American are voting for Obama not for the message he is sending out but just due to the fact that he is Black. On the opposing side, women are voting for Hillary Clinton just due to the fact that she is a woman. Now if every Democrat played this card, I might as well have run for president too, since I'm Mexican and a woman. I bet many Mexicans or women would vote for me just because I have these two qualities. I honestly don't have a strong feeling about the presidential race. All I know is people need to open up their minds to the possibility of change. Well at least we can't go downhill from the president we have already have...Bush.

Permanents Improvements Needed
Jesse, 16

The presidential candidates in the election are very interesting because the Democratic party has some great candidates. Obama and Clinton are constantly breathing down one another's backs while the Republicans are struggling to keep up. I believe that these two candidates have what it takes to be the president of the U.S. but they won't be happy until one wins and one loses. People constantly talk about how Obama would be the first Black president. MLK stated in shi “I have a dream” speech that man won't be judged by color of his skin but by the content of his character. The same with Clinton. Don't look at her being the first woman president but look at the principles and what she has to bring to the table. The nation is going through some temporary inconveniences and it's up to them to tell us people what permanent improvements they are going to bring to the table.

Close Call
Jaleesa, 18

Since the beginning, I've been keeping a close eye on the presidential race. I believe that it is important that everyone keep a close eye on this year's candidates because everyone needs to know who could possibly be running their country in the years to come. As of now, it has become apparent that it will be a close race, no matter who the two last standing candidates turn out to be. President Bush's approval rating is the lowest it has ever been, so most Democrats (and even some Republicans) say that our country needs a complete turn-around, even if that involves us having a Democrat president.

History Being Made
Kevis, 17

I feel good because I'm living in a year where history has been made. I think to be a good leader you would have to be strong and have to be able to take surprises. They know how to handle situations calmly.

No Excuse for Not Voting
LaKenya, 16

Well the presidential race is very confusing to the American people today. Some want a Black president mainly African Americans, and others want a female president. But the main argument is with the Blacks. I can almost guarantee if you were to ask a Black person who can vote who they would vote for, they would more than likely say Obama. Why? Because there was no Black man running to be president. Either in the past, when Blacks were counted as 3/5 a person, or when Blacks could vote as a whole, some choose not to vote because they feel that whoever wins isn't going to benefit their race. But now that there is a Black man running, they feel there just might be in our history.

Next President Will be Watched
Laqusha, 19

I'm kind of confused about the presidential race. This whole race is history in the making. I support both Clinton and Obama, and they are both striving for change in America, and change is what we need. All I can think about is our nation falling. I mean, it has happened to all the great countries. The new president will either make or break America. I'm sitting back watching and observing, sorting out pros and cons. It's obvious that there will be a huge difference in America if either one wins. She's a woman and he is Black. If either one wins, people are going to watch them like hawks. I think if she makes one mistake or she does something that the men of this nation don't agree with, they might have an “I-told-you-so” attitude. That attitude will be the same for Obama being a “black man.”

Access the People
Marcus, 18

My feelings about the presidential election are how the candidates will benefits the community and how the country can move forward. It would be good to have either a woman or an African American president. The qualities that make a good leader is that the person can access the people they are addressing and being honest won't hurt and point out the positive actions you would make take to make the area progressive.

Keep Your Promises
Patrice, 16

I believe a quality that a president or leader should have is keep promises. Don't just say you are going to do something just to make people believe in you. Like for example, telling people you are going to change the world. Now if you know that there's no way you can change the world, DON'T SAY IT. Because in the end, it's not worth it. Because everyone's going to call you a liar and you're going to let a lot of people down, including yourself. Also, I believe that the person should have a charm about him/herself because s/he has to lead us and I believe we all want that person should do it with a smile a upon his/her face. So if s/he has at least those two qualities, s/he is good to go in my book, history book that is.