Pennsylvania Diner Denizens Weigh Their Options Come Election Day

ALLENTOWN, Pa., 12:00 a.m. --- Six hours after walking through the doors of Dina's Diner in working-class center city here I emerged into the gloaming outside. I'd just spent the latter half of the day talking politics with seven life-long residents of the Lehigh Valley in a place that has been a fixture here for more than 60 years. One woman was swayed, during the conversation, from swearing she wouldn't vote to pledging that she would support Democratic nominee Barack Obama on November 4. An older couple felt differently.

Dan and Betty, married for 37 years, were tentative McCain supporters. Dan, who didn't want to give his last name, said he was almost definitely voting for John McCain, while Betty said she was leaning that way but might still be swayed.

Kim Onea, who leased Dina's last year and runs the diner, said she's mired in a Catch-22. Her ingredients cost more, but with the economy like it is people are eating out less and less. She said she feels she can't raise prices because that would drive more people away but her profit margins keep shrinking with the rising cost of food.

Kim's son Daniel, is 15, but he said the war in Iraq and the Bush Administration's immigration policy would be the reasons he'd vote for Obama if he could. "Because those two things affect the biggest thing," he said. "The economy."

Krystal King said she was inspired by Obama's blue-collar upbringing. She said she thought he had struggled in his life and could identify with him on that. His upbringing was different from the rest of the presidential candidates she's seen.

Lisa Leonard, 37, was reticent to talk at first. She wanted to stay out of political discussion. The talking loosened her up, though, and eventually she said she would be voting for Obama come election day.

Jason Manson, who works in security, said John McCain's manner in the debates convinced him to vote the other direction.

- BY ALEX LOWTHER

Comments

[catinca]

I volunteered at the Philly Headquarters & an older couple from Bucks County took the train & came to help make buttons...it was great.

[Jules1]

Just vote!!

[WFV]

Not everyone in Pennsylvania is unflexible. Obama won my central PA county in the primary, and I am convinced he will win this Commonwealth in the general election.

I read today that when Sarah Palin was here this week, the President of Penn State was disinvited from her rally that was held on campus. DISINVITED!! What a stupid move on her part.

[brenna1975]

You are so right. I am from a northwest Republican district in PA (Greenville) and I see a lot of McCain signs but I also see a lot of Obama signs. This is amazing because I live in a rural area and Kerry and Gore signs were absolete. I was for Obama during the primaries(my area chose Hillary) and I am excited he is ahead right now. I would be crushed if PA went red after being blue during the Bush years.

[obamavoter08]

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08 !!!!!!

[johnnygoodwud]

i lived in d.c. for 10 yrs. and used to stop in diners all the time in my travels. they are great. now back in the chicago area, we have no diners. miss the great comfort food and the patrons. a true slice of america,,,­,,,,,,,,,o­ppps does that sound palinish?

[wildflowermaven]

Chicago has diners, look harder!

[anthroman]

FYI, there are diners all over Chicago.

[Yola]

This in Allentown? Wow!

[gladys46]

All of PA are not dumb or low info voters .. they are hard-working people who just want to get along and raise their families in some modicum of dignity ! Bu$h/McSame didn't appreciate such people .. Obama does !



Obama/Biden08